Students from Eça de Queirós Secondary School began work on the project UP2U, with an interview with an urban art creator.
The Multimedia Technician professional course at Eça de Queirós Secondary School in Lisbon is responsible for one of the eight pilot projects that mark the launch of the UP2U project in Portugal. These students' work focuses on creation of a multimedia platform on urban art in Lisbon. During the month of March, the first video interview was conducted with one of the creators, Patel Ribeiro.
With funding of 5 million euros, under Horizon 2020, this European initiative is based on collaboration between 18 partners from 12 different countries. In Portugal, the project is coordinated by the National Scientific Computing Unit of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), in partnership with the Porto Higher Institute of Engineering (ISEP).
“The objective is to increase enrollment in higher education and reduce school dropout rates, adapting teaching technologies and methodologies to the educational needs of the 21st century”, highlights Nélson Dias, a member of the team coordinating this initiative. To date, UP2U has signed up eight Portuguese schools, which are implementing projects. However, Nélson Dias points out, “all schools are invited to participate”, expanding this number.
Learning on the ground
According to one of the students participating in this project, Sara Saramago, this is a good learning opportunity. “Learning outside the classroom and doing concrete things is easier,” he emphasizes, before adding: “we don't just listen, here we apply what we know.”.
The same idea is emphasized by professor and course coordinator Elsa Mota. As part of this project, students can “leave your comfort zone to learn”. “The possibility of being able to say 'I did this' at the end is also very important”, adds the professor, particularly in a professional area where the portfolio assumes special relevance.
On the other hand, the project's ultimate goal—creating a multimedia platform about urban art in Lisbon—requires a division of tasks among the class. In addition to conducting interviews, it's necessary to make contacts, edit images and videos, or design the website, for example. Above all, Elsa Mota emphasizes, “it is necessary to work as a team”, which will also result in the development of skills.
These are precisely some of the goals of the European UP2U project. The methodology envisages the integration of learning environments inside and outside the classroom, using a cross-disciplinary approach. For more information, visit www.up2university.eu
