Learning through play

On November 21st, the 5th Meeting of Innovative Experiences was held at the Facatativá extension, where five categories were awarded. In the category of best digital educational resource, the winner was Edison, the knowledge and learning manager, who guides the disciplinary learning areas of: fundamentals of electronics, programming two, operating systems, and software engineering for the Systems and Computing Engineering program in Fusagasugá.

UCundinamarca News spoke with him about the scope of his educational proposal, which leaves behind professionalizing models that transmit knowledge and information in order to focus on forming a subject who, in addition to achieving personal development, becomes a transformative agent who contributes significantly to their environment, society, and nature, as stated in the Transmodern Digital Educational Model.

UCundinamarca News: What does the work that earned you the award consist of?

Edison Reyes Forero: The Transmodern Digital Educational Model speaks to transcending traditional barriers, breaking free from the constraints of being confined to the classroom. In this context, achieving harmony between in-person and virtual learning is key; therefore, my aim was to move students away from the monotony of activities with predetermined parameters that dictate, "read, do, and solve." Based on this reality, we created an educational resource for the virtual classroom: a virtual machine that allows students to complete an operating system exercise.

To achieve this goal, we used a game approach. The student first enters the platform and is placed in a virtual spaceship, appearing as a figure in hibernation. He then wakes up and notices a malfunction on the ship. From this starting point, he has to learn how to virtualize an operating system using guidelines provided by a virtual assistant. The assistant teaches him different methods and concepts related to this topic and guides him through answering questions.

Finally, when he completes this mission, he must generate a video where he records himself speaking and performing the installation and configuration of this operating system virtually with the Windows operating system platform, and installing Linux and the Ubuntu distribution.

UCundinamarca News: With this experience you have developed, where is education headed in this fast-paced world of information and communication technologies?

Edison Reyes Forero: I believe that models like the one our university has, which transcends traditional teaching barriers, harmoniously achieving a balance between in-person, virtual, technological, human, and interdisciplinary learning, are key. This type of methodology helps our students become well-rounded professionals who will practice their profession as systems and computer engineers through innovation and creativity, but also with human values that consider the environment, family, and contribute to Colombia's growth.

UCundinamarca News: As an educator, what are you grateful to the University of Cundinamarca for?

Edison Reyes Forero: I am deeply grateful to the university, not only as an educator, but also as a professional who once studied within its walls and later worked in its administrative area as a support engineer. It is an institution that has always been committed to continuous professional development, striving to provide a better educational experience for its students. Therefore, I take this opportunity to thank the rector, Dr. Adriano Muñoz Barrara, for introducing and implementing the Transmodern Digital Educational Model for the benefit of all. Our progress is thanks to his leadership.

This event created a space for dialogue and knowledge sharing among teachers. Therefore, within this process of strengthening academic, scientific, cultural, and social relationships through interaction and work, which is one of the core functions of UCundinamarca, this Fifth Meeting of Innovative Experiences takes on special relevance, as it emphasizes this principle.

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