Proposal for analysis of the coninuous training of university teachers through the categories "system", "process" and "mediation"

Abstract

The article presents a methodological contribution to the analysis of the continuous training of university teachers based on the theoretical categories "system", "process" and "mediation". The interest of this work lies in its potential usefulness to provide impetus to both research work in this field and the management of this type of training in Higher Education institutions.

In relation to the “system” category, a proposal has been made of its components, as well as the relationships they establish among themselves. A repertoire of sources of material and immaterial resources that nourish the system has also been identified, and the continuous training of the PDI has been placed within a hierarchical structure of systems open to the influence of some on others. The application of the notion of process has given rise to a proposal of fifteen processes, classified into three groups, involved and obligatory, on whose existence and operability the functioning of this type of training as a system depends. Finally, the concept of mediation has made possible to analyze the functionality of the PDI's continuous training both from the perspective of cognitive mediation (topics, data, content) and structural mediation (organization, formats, methods); as from the perspective of horizontal mediation (between student teachers and knowledge) and vertical mediation (between processes of change at a macrosocial level and the mentalities and daily practices of teachers).

University professors are a social actor with global implementation in the current societies, playing a highly relevant role in them as mediators of knowledge, being involved in its production and dissemination, as well as in the training of professionals in a wide variety of fields. fields. The continuous training of teaching and research staff at universities is, therefore, a strategic factor for the improvement of Higher Education.