The Class in Higher Education: An Essential Organizational Form in the Teaching-learning Process

Abstract

The teaching-learning process in higher education has several organizational forms. Irrespective of the importance each one acquires to develop the knowledge envisaged in the curriculum, or the skills and competence necessary for a given profession, the class is considered to be one of the fundamental forms of organization in that process. Unity between what is instructive and what is educational must be achieved in the class; this is a fundamental principle to bear in mind throughout the process. The aim of this article is to analyze considerations about the class in higher education, as an essential organizational form in the teaching-learning process, beginning with the characteristics of the different types of classes. Theoretical research methods are used to process the information, characterize the object of the study, and determine its theoretical and methodological basis. It is argued, in conclusion, that the class in higher education can adopt different arrangements: a conference, a practical class, a seminar or a class encounter. Each one has particular features that allow knowledge to be addressed and skills and values to be developed, with the active participation of the students. This favors their comprehensive preparation, which is the ultimate goal of the educational system.