Importance of study visits in learning evidence of professional courses of the Agrupamento de Escolas de Macedo de Cavaleiros

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been an increase, in number and areas, in the training offered within the scope of professional courses offered by the Portuguese education system, as well as an increase in the number of students attending this type of courses. These courses have increasingly established as an option for students who have to remain in school until completing mandatory education and identify with a more practical teaching and learning methodology, aimed at acquiring skills that allow them to an immediate potential for entry into the job market, as well as continuing studies. The present work aims to present best practices and advantages arising from study visits carried out by students and teachers at the Agrupamento de Escolas de Macedo de Cavaleiros, in the Professional Restaurant/Bar Technician Course and Professional Technician Course Health Assistant. Developed through a case study methodological design, the researchers assumed the role of participant observers, having also resorted to documentary analysis of the various reports prepared within the scope of the work process. As main results, it is highlighted that the practices under analysis constitute a strong strategy that complements and expands content covered in the classroom context, as well as contributing to the strengthening of practical skills in interaction and relationships between participants, creating this change of learning context, greater motivation, both to learn and to teach.