Contextualization

The word 'seminar' originates from the Latin 'seminarium', which means 'seedbed'. Originally, the word was used to designate the college where priests were prepared, as well as the land where seeds are sown that will give rise to a new plant. Similarly, the seminar is a type of didactic activity that aims to disseminate knowledge. Through debates and oral presentations, the seminar allows participants to sow ideas, arguments, and concepts, contributing to the enrichment of collective learning.

The methodology of the seminar is widely used in academic and professional environments. In addition to providing the acquisition of specific knowledge on a certain topic, the seminar develops a series of important skills, such as research, argumentation, synthesis, and oral presentation. All of this contributes to the formation of a more complete professional prepared for the challenges of the future.

In an increasingly globalized and connected world, information is a valuable resource. However, while on one hand we have an increasing amount of information available, on the other hand, it is necessary to know how to select, interpret, and use this information critically and consciously. The seminar, by stimulating research, debate, and reflection, contributes to the formation of more critical and conscious citizens.

Importance of the Seminar

The realization of a seminar significantly contributes to the personal and professional development of the participants. In addition to promoting a more in-depth study on a specific topic, the seminar develops skills in oral and written communication and promotes the exchange of experiences and teamwork.

In a world where information is increasingly abundant and accessible, it is essential to know how to select and analyze relevant information. The seminar, by encouraging research and debate, develops critical thinking and the ability to argue, essential skills in the 21st century.

Some resources that can be used to deepen the study of the topic are:

• What is a seminar? - Brasil Escola
• How to do a seminar step by step - Guia da Carreira
• How to present a seminar - Manual do Mundo
• Seminar Methodology - Unesp

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Organizing Seminars

Project Objective

This project aims to offer students the opportunity to experience all the necessary steps for organizing a seminar. In addition, the activity aims to promote collaboration, teamwork, and the development of research, argumentation, and oral presentation skills.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, and each group will be responsible for organizing a seminar on a topic of their choice related to the Portuguese discipline.

The steps involved in organizing the seminar include:

1. Definition of the seminar's topic
2. Research on the chosen topic
3. Preparation of the seminar's script
4. Seminar presentation
5. Writing the post-seminar report

Necessary Materials

1. Books, magazines, newspapers, and internet access for research.
2. Computer or laptop for preparing presentations and writing the report.
3. Classroom for seminar presentation.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Definition of the seminar's topic: Each group must choose a topic of interest related to the Portuguese discipline. The topic can be an author, a work, a literary period, a literary genre, etc. The topic definition should be done together, with the participation of all group members.

2. Research on the chosen topic: After defining the topic, each group must conduct extensive research on the subject. The research should include different sources of information, such as books, magazines, newspapers, and reliable websites.

3. Preparation of the seminar's script: Based on the research conducted, the group must prepare a script for the seminar. The script should include an introduction to the topic, the presentation of the main points of discussion, a conclusion, and a space for questions and discussions.

4. Seminar presentation: Each group must present the seminar to the class, following the prepared script. All group members must participate in the presentation.

5. Writing the post-seminar report: After the seminar presentation, each group must prepare a report on the activity. The report should include an introduction where the seminar's topic is presented and its importance is contextualized; the development, where the main points of discussion of the seminar are presented and discussed; the conclusions, where the learnings and conclusions obtained from the project are presented; and the bibliography, where the books, websites, and other sources used in the research are indicated.

This project should be completed within a one-month timeframe, and the estimated workload for each participating student is five to ten hours.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, each group must deliver:

1. The script used in the seminar presentation.
2. The post-seminar report.
3. A slide presentation or other resource used in the seminar presentation.

The documents delivered should reflect the skills and knowledge acquired by the students during the project.

Students must demonstrate, especially in the written document, that they understood what a seminar is, its characteristics, and its importance in the dissemination of knowledge. The report should detail all the project's steps, from the topic selection to the seminar presentation, highlighting the most relevant aspects of the research conducted and the main discussions that took place during the seminar.