Successful Application of Active and Collaborative Learning Methods in Geotechnics on Algarve University Civil Engineering Course

In the last decade, new pedagogical methodologies were adopted on some higher education institutes and universities in the United States of America, Australia, and England. Europe is also adopting these active, collaborative, and blended learning (hybrid) methods. More recently, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the intensification of online classes has skyrocketed, and gadgets gain expression on education, imposing a re-adaptation to professors. The scientific and technological courses, despite having a greater appetite for the use of these resources, especially engineering, are among those that were most affected, given their strong practical component, since they were deprived of laboratory classes, field classes, and technical visits. In this context, new pedagogical methods were used on the lectures, ranging from the simplest to the most integrative and collaborative methods. These new active methods were applied on the geotechnics classes, respectively, on Bachelor and Master degree in Civil Engineering courses in Algarve University, and it was observed a greater affluence to online and presential lectures and also an enthusiasm performing the new tasks. In view of the success achieved in this period, it was decided to maintain the hybrid model, with an emphasis on the application of collaborative techniques, such as team-based learning, rotational model, and video recording, editing, and production. The integration of these models of study and networking leads to an outstanding academic success of this specific subject. It also allowed to work and improve their soft skills and transversal skills.