The Centre for Teaching and Learning of the University of West Attica successfully organized its 2nd online seminar titled “Applying Experiential Learning: Case Studies from the Education of Health Management Executives”. The event took place on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 18:00 to 20:00 via MS Teams platform.
The seminar commenced with an introduction by Mr. P. Kaldis, the Rector of the University of West Attica. He highlighted the significance of an open process, such as the awareness and information initiatives of CTL UniWA, in fostering interdisciplinarity. This approach allows us to gain insights from various fields on matters concerning University Pedagogy. Following Mr. Kaldis, Ms. C. Sguroopoulou, the Vice Rector of Finance, Planning, and Development of the University of West Attica, emphasized the importance of enhancing the learning ecosystem by adopting approaches that make the teaching work of the academic community more engaging and captivating. Mr. A. Spyridakos, the Dean of the School of Administrative, Economics & Social Sciences of the University of West Attica, further added that the actions undertaken by CTL UniWA are expected to lead to an improvement in the quality of teaching. Subsequently, a concise report was presented by the Scientific Committee of the CTL UniWA, outlining the objectives and upcoming actions of the Centre. Simultaneously, the academic community was encouraged to submit proposals for future workshops and actively participate in the Centre’s initiatives to ensure its continuous development.
The keynote speeches at the 2nd seminar were delivered by the esteemed Research Group for the Promotion of Experiential Learning, Empowerment, and Development of Decision-Making Skills, led by Mr. Markos Sarris. The first presentation was given by Georgia Poulimenakou, who eloquently discussed the conceptual approaches to experiential learning, along with a research project focused on this aspect of learning. Mrs. Poulimenakou covered a range of topics, including the theoretical foundations, methods, and techniques of experiential learning, as well as the various types it encompasses. She also delved into the concept of Educational Performance, which involves utilizing art and experiential exercises to foster a performance climate that promotes critical and creative thinking. She further highlighted the applications of experiential learning within the Research Group, specifically in postgraduate courses and adult education workshops. She provided compelling evidence through the presentation of extracts from the project, personal narratives from participants, and key results of the application. The second presentation was delivered by Dionysia Katelouzou and Dimitra Harokopou, who shared their recent experiences with experiential learning in the field of Health Sciences. They emphasized the importance of connecting experience with research and theory, focusing on two orientations: lived experiential experience and exploratory experiential learning. Overall, these keynote speeches provided valuable insights into the world of experiential learning, shedding light on its theoretical foundations, practical applications, and potential benefits in various educational settings.
In conclusion, the issues that were addressed during the workshop were thoroughly discussed. First and foremost, the significance of experiential learning in both professional and personal development was emphasized. This approach fosters active learning, critical reflection, and empathy, thereby cultivating a comprehensive approach to the learning process. By shifting away from a technocratic perspective, experiential learning embraces more humanistic models of education. Furthermore, it was posited that smaller groups facilitate the implementation of experiential learning, and it was recommended that this approach be extended to other scientific disciplines. Lastly, it was argued that trainers should receive training in pedagogical methodology, as effective knowledge dissemination and classroom management are of paramount importance.
You can watch the 2nd seminar in Greek on Center for Teaching & Learning @ UniWA youtube channel:
- Welcome by the Rector, Professor P. Kaldis
- Greeting by the Vice Rector, Professor C. Sgouropoulou
- Greeting by the Dean of the School of Administrative, Economics & Social Sciences, Professor A. Spyridakos
- Presentation of the services of the Centre for Teaching & Learning, Professor Y. Psaromiligkos
- 1st Keynote Speech by the Experiential Learning Research Group, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher G. Poulimenakou
- 2nd Keynote Address by the Experiential Learning Research Group, PhD Candidate D. Katelouzou
- 3rd Keynote Address by the Experiential Learning Research Group, PhD Candidate D. Charokopou
- Open discussion of the Centre of Teaching & Learning UniWA