University of Granada Professor Turns Classroom into TV Set with ‘Your Leisure Sounds Familiar’
GRANADA, SPAIN – In a move that’s sending ripples through higher education, Professor José Mora González of the University of Granada (UGR) is captivating students with a uniquely immersive learning experience. Inspired by the popular Antena 3 television program ‘Your face sounds familiar to me,’ Professor Mora’s course, ‘Recreational and Free Time Activities,’ has been transformed into ‘Your Leisure Sounds Familiar,’ a dynamic, gamified environment designed to prepare the next generation of recreation professionals. This is a breaking news story highlighting a truly innovative approach to education.
From Textbook to Television: A New Approach to Recreation Education
Forget traditional lectures and rote memorization. ‘Your Leisure Sounds Familiar’ places students squarely in the role of contestants, tackling real-world challenges related to designing, organizing, and leading safe, inclusive, and meaningful recreational activities. The course leverages active methodologies like Challenge-Based Learning (ABR) and Service-Learning (ApS), interwoven with elements of gamification to maximize student motivation and commitment. The core idea? Learning by doing, and learning by feeling like you’re part of something bigger.
How it Works: Galas, Challenges, and a Touch of Showbiz
The structure mirrors the hit TV show. Each week features a ‘gala’ where student groups unveil their solutions to a specific challenge, revealed through a dramatic ‘button’ reveal – just like on television. These challenges aren’t abstract exercises; they address crucial skills like communication, planning, creativity, and even sustainable practices, such as utilizing recycled materials. One particularly impactful challenge, ‘One for all and all for one,’ sees students collaborating to design a recreational day for adolescents at the Juan XXIII de la Chana school in Granada, directly applying their learning to benefit the community. Another, ‘The store in class,’ tasks students with creating compelling teleshopping-style advertisements for recreation materials.
Beyond the Classroom: Social Media and Emotional Connection
Professor Mora isn’t just recreating a TV show format; he’s replicating the experience. Students rotate roles – presenters, sound and image technicians, and a judging panel – fostering teamwork and a comprehensive understanding of event production. A jury awards scores (6-12), combined with a ‘public’ vote (the professor’s assessment), to determine weekly winners. The initiative is actively documented on Instagram (@tuociomesuena_ugr), providing a window into the learning process and showcasing student achievements. But it doesn’t stop there. Inspired by the emotional elements of the original show, winning teams receive a small donation (€20 from the professor) to contribute to a charity of their choice, and students can offer ‘Likes’ – gestures of appreciation – to their peers, cultivating a positive and supportive learning environment.
The Power of Experiential Learning: Student Testimonials
The results speak for themselves. Students are overwhelmingly positive about the experience. “More than in a class, I feel like I am participating in a television program,” one student shared. “I have never felt so connected with all my classmates before.” Another exclaimed, “I wish this subject were annual because it is spectacular and, for me at least, is helping me grow as a person.” Professor Mora believes this transformative experience is key. “The experience is being truly transformative for the students: they are learning concepts and skills in the field of recreation while feeling part of a television contest with all that this entails on an emotional level.”
This innovative approach to education isn’t just about making learning fun; it’s about equipping students with the practical skills, emotional intelligence, and collaborative spirit they’ll need to thrive in the dynamic world of recreation and leisure. The success of ‘Your Leisure Sounds Familiar’ demonstrates the power of experiential learning and the potential for universities to embrace creative, engaging methodologies that truly resonate with today’s students. Stay tuned to archyde.com for more breaking news and in-depth coverage of innovative educational practices and SEO strategies for higher education institutions.
