On 8 April, a scientific and practical workshop was held at the ‘CNU Ecosystem’ Centre for Innovative Educational Technologies for students of the Faculty of Education (majoring in ‘Pre-school Education’ and ‘Primary Education’). The event took place as part of the international REFINE project (‘Rebuilding the Future: Empowering Teachers and Students through Cross-Border Cooperation and Innovative Pedagogy’) under the EDUC-WIDE SEED PROJECTS – 2024 programme.
During the theoretical session, Professors Oksana Kandur and Lyudmyla Matsuk introduced the attendees to the mission of the REFINE project, emphasising the importance of inventive pedagogy for modern education. Associate Professors Marianna Matishak and Iryna Skomorovska presented practical case studies in the following areas: pedagogy of invention: theoretical and methodological foundations and the role of the teacher-facilitator; makerspaces in education: requirements for creating and equipping modern spaces for creativity; they spoke about Scandinavian pedagogical experience, in particular the specifics of implementing makerspaces in educational institutions in Notodden (Norway). They paid particular attention to testing the authors’ didactic development – the Digital Detox Game – which sparked interest among the future teachers.
The practical part of the workshop focused on discussions regarding the introduction of maker education in Ukrainian pre-school and primary schools. Students analysed the potential challenges and opportunities for adapting innovative methodologies to the domestic educational landscape. The event concluded with an interactive online game, ‘Creativity Without Borders: Create, Teach, Change!’, which allowed participants to showcase their creative potential.
“Studying international experience and implementing innovative pedagogy is strategically important for shaping the next generation of teachers. We see great prospects in further cooperation and the development of maker initiatives at our University,” concluded the Director of the ‘СNU EcoSystem’ Centre, Professor Olena Budnyk. Indeed, the event marked another step in the digital and methodological transformation of training for future specialists, opening up new horizons for cross-border academic exchange and the professional development of teachers (academic) staff.