ABSTRACT
In a context of an alternative model of university (Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México) which allows the construction of flexible teaching and learning relations, this article depicts a community cooperation project as a result of a collegiate reflection of our educational conception and practice. We describe the initial project challenges that we faced as professors and students. Then we present the three central conceptions of our practice: open classroom as a flexible space open to the community, based on building a culture of dialogue and reflection on the ways we have learned to be teachers and students in school; the central role of teacher collegiality and the interdisciplinary character of teaching and learning processes, both requirements for building horizontal relationships; and a strategy that creates an inner link between professional development, research practice and community cooperation. Finally, we propose to rethink the current meaning of the public university.
KEYWORDS:
open classroom; teacher collegiality; community cooperation; learning communities; public university