CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN TEACHING GEODESY

Abstract

Apart from education process based on the curricular activities, the whole set of co-curricular activities (CCAs) can help students to develope both expert knowledge and social skills. These activities are separated from academic course, sometimes placed outside of school or after regular school hours. Co-curricular activities such as students' scientific circles, workshops, conferences or festivals of science, publication, honor societies or academic clubs or contests are not granted and are not examined in the same way as academic curriculum. But the effects of these activities are quite well recognized. By addressing areas of potential students tension and challenge, co-curricular activities can benefit in students strong self-efficacy and development of the range of skills and attributes that are important for graduates. From the educators point of view, co-curricular activities enrich the educational process and promote student- oriented learning. Studing at the Gdansk University of Technology in Poland, students have the possibility to participate in several circles and student organisations (for ex. IASTE, ERASMUS, CEPRIM – ESTIEM, Local Group Gdansk Gdansk BEST Student Association (Board of European Students of Technology) as well as to develop sports skills within sport groups, to sing in Academic Choir of Gdansk University or to listen to music concerts, etc. Beside the general, mentioned above co-curricular activities, there is the set of activities directly dedicated to students of Geodesy and Cartography, studing at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The article presents the set of co-curricular activities enhancing social interaction, leadership, self - discipline and self - confidence as well as geodetic knowledge. All presented activities are voluntary, are not part of the regular curriculum and are not graded or do not earn credits. All of them are supervised by academic teachers employed in Department of Geodesy.