Date: 22 September 2023
Format: Online
Target Audience: Teachers, academics, and researchers
Organised by: Arqus European University Alliance
More information here.
Summary:
The third session of the Arqus Online Workshop Series on Teaching Innovation introduced participants to the “Explore First” pedagogical model, a method designed to place students at the centre of their learning by engaging them in active problem-solving before instruction.
Workshop Focus:
This model merges digital and face-to-face educational activities and encourages students to collaborate in small groups. By exploring a topic using their prior knowledge, students attempt to identify and discuss possible solutions to a given problem. Through this process, they not only grapple with the topic but also gain a deeper conceptual understanding.
Learning Objectives:
– To introduce the Explore First model and its educational philosophy.
– To demonstrate how prior knowledge and peer collaboration can deepen learning.
– To help educators apply this model in digital, blended, or traditional classrooms.
– To encourage critical thinking, reflection, and group-based exploration in teaching.
Outcome:
Participants gained a practical framework for integrating experience-driven, student-centred learning in their courses. The workshop also provided strategies to support active inquiry and deep engagement, applicable across disciplines and learning environments.