Exploratory research learning
Exploratory learning may integrate a number of other methods like interviewing inhabitants or making description. Participants learn through collecting the data, going to the libraries, consulting other sources of knowledge. What is basic, however, is approaching other people and considering their accounts as a valuable source of knowledge. Exploratory learning consists of conducting a research posing research questions, answering the research questions, writing a research report, publishing a book, setting up an exhibition, making public presentations, etc. Exploratory learning includes accounts on relationships and feelings.
Pedagogical Information
At the very beginning its was difficult for the participants to understand in what way the final publication and project outcomes will be different, shall we say, from simple architectural guides. It took them some time to understand that they are supposed to set up their personal itineraries reflecting their habits, artistic and other preferences, producing an account of relationships and describing feeling about the town and buildings. We suggest you should start by saying what the final outcome, a Guide, will not be …European Dimension
European culture is urban culture and exploring urban settings is definitely an European dimension. Moreover, cities are a domicile of democracy which started with urbanization. The European dimensions lie in European values like democracy, social cohesion, solidarity, participation, etc
Applied in projects
Personal TownTours - Slovenian Version
In the framework of the »Personal Town Tours«, a European Grundtvig Programme project (2012 – 2014), seven older students from Slovenian Third Age University gained knowledge and learned methods for exploring and then introducing their town. Under the mentorship of an architect they decided on three thematic itineraries thus validating their already gained knowledge of architecture and urbanism.
