THE TUTORIAL FUNCTION AS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM: AN EXPERIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Abstract

The methodological reform of the university studies forced by the starting of a common European Space of Higher Education implies an increase in the importance of tutoring. Moreover, the role of the university professors as teachers is undergoing a decisive change from being the leading figure in the learning process to become a supporting character. Learning will occur in many different environments and scenarios, and because of that, the tutoring process will be fundamental to leading and support the student to make of him/her an independent agent. Taking all of that into account and bearing in mind the need for giving more importance to this part of the teaching role, we have presented an experience in «electronic tutoring» carried out among the students of Environmental Science in the college of Experimental Sciences at the University Pablo de Olavide de Sevilla.