Olomouc, 4-8 November 2024 — Lecturers and educational experts from various higher education institutions in Europe (the EURIDICE and Aurora networks) came together to discuss, debate, learn, iterate and (re-)innovate teaching, learning and educational programs during a one- week participatory workshop, hosted by Palacky University in the historical city of Olomouc.
The guiding framework for this workshop is LOUIS, Aurora’s competence framework composed of sixteen high-level learning outcomes, that describe meaningful, higher level academic competences, that every reflective professional should have learned at the end of their study, to navigate and work in our turbulent 21st century global society.
During the workshop, the participants discussed in extenso various aspects on societal learning outcomes. Meanwhile, the group was introduced by Prof. Marco Biondi from the University Federico II of Naples to many interesting techniques for engagement teaching and learning, including improvisational theatre, real-time collaborative, shared story-telling, conceptual mental modeling and social games. We practiced how to use playful social games to improve the relationship between teachers and learners. Duck-quack-quack was one of the games we played to improve our quick group brainstorming skills.
The participants were educational experts and experienced lecturers from the University Federico II from Naples, Palacky University Olomouc, University of Innsbruck, University of Iceland, Copenhagen Business School, Karazin Kharkiv National University, IL3 University of Barcelona, University Rovira y Virgili, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, but also the SME enterprises Babafla and AKMC. The presentations led to vivid discussions, reflecting on the fundamental question Why we teach?
We discussed and debated the need for a shared language between curricula, disciplines, institutions; about the possible problems that teachers may experience when asked to implement a new learning toolbox, about the needs but also complexities of high-level competence assessments, about the use of LOUIS as a tool for self-reflection etc. In total 25 people participated in this blended intensive program, 15 women, 10 men, of which 22 on site and 3 online. Many new insights came out of the discussions. All participants appreciated the fact that we could finally discuss fundamental issues in education in such a pleasant, open and inspiring environment. To be continued…..
Pictures by Michal Zych.