The Reformulation of the Pedagogical Approach of a Lato Sensu Postgraduate Course: the Report on the Experience Lived in the Specialization Course in Food Quality and Safety

Abstract

 During the COVID-19 pandemic, Emergency Remote Teaching caused an inevitable shift in teaching-learning practices in traditional classrooms, leading to the discussion of the feasibility of offering Specialization in Food Quality and Safety at the Federal University of Rio Grande in a Distance Learning format. This case report aimed to detail the reformulation of the pedagogical approach and curricular changes of this postgraduate course for offering in the Distance Education modality. The stages, from the conception of the new Pedagogical Proposal to the launch of the first class, were described chronologically based on the course coordination’s memories and records, gathered between February 2022 and August 2024. The course planning followed the stages of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation, based on the Instructional Systems Design method, seeking to ensure effective and efficient instruction. Within a perspective that involved the training of coordinators and teachers, changes were proposed such as the readjustment of the course load and structure, curricular revision, offering the Digital Literacy discipline, implementing the digital portfolio, and flexibilizing the final course work. After the proposal was evaluated by six institutional instances, in January 2023, the course became the Specialization in Food Quality and Safety - EaD, integrating the collection of Lato Sensu postgraduate courses offered by the Institution. Institutional support and the engagement of the coordination, faculty, and students were crucial to implementing changes, overcoming obstacles, expanding the reach of professional training, and democratizing access to quality education.  

Keywords: Distance education. Instructional systems design. Postgraduate education. Pedagogical project. Professional training.