At the Department of Education and Psychology, Natalya has conducted an interactive workshop for faculty on experiential learning and student engagement. During the workshop sessions, the importance and relevance of experiential learning have been presented, as well as ways how it can be applied in teaching practices across the disciplines. Best practices and the most common challenges of experiential learning have been discussed. Together with local faculty, Natalya has also discussed how transforming learning content into a hands-on learning experience enriches co-curricular engagement and assists in social and cognitive development.
During the second day of her visit, in a Pedagogical Innovation session, Natalya collected best practices from the Center for Teaching and Learning where with Pedagogical Innovation Support Team accommodates the needs and requests of faculty members by conducting 2 weeks of trainings beginning of every year, with additional 5 sessions throughout the year to identify the ongoing needs. Natalya has also shared experience with the Step Up community that conducts focus groups with faculty, also coordinates mentorship and peer learning, and peer assessment between faculty. The Teaching and Learning Forum where faculty present their innovations yearly is another best practice that has led to faculty professional development at the University of Aveiro.
Natalya has also visited COOPERA and the Incubator at Creative Science Park. Both cooperate on entrepreneurship ecosystem with 11 municipalities and local governments in the region to prepare interventions in social and political agendas. The innovative ideas from faculty and students are being led to startups via incubation programs and with the help of more than 10 matchmaking events per year are implemented in the community locally and internationally.