Ensino-ação: uma experiência de aprendizado por meio da extensão universitária

Abstract

This paper reports a pioneering methodological experience that has been developed in the last ten years in the Industrial Management course offered by the Food Engineering and Engineering degree at the Animal Science and Food Engineering School of the University of São Paulo (FZEA/USP). The initiative innovates by incorporating university extension, through social entrepreneurship, to the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology. The university work with the local community motivates and encourages the application of concepts addressed in the classroom, with important results in terms of promoting the knowledge, ability and attitude of the students. At the same time, it reinforces values and approaches university, business and society. More than successful practice and experience restricted to the course and to the institution, the results suggest that the teaching-action method through the university extension is potentially valuable to the increment, which is necessary for the higher education in Brazil.