Connecting teaching and learning methods, digital tools and mindfulness in outdoor education across urban, natural and cultural environments

ERASMUS+ KA1 training course for educators

REGISTER NOW

About the course

This course explores how urban, natural and cultural environments can serve as powerful settings for learning, creativity and reflection. Participants will experience how teaching and learning can take place beyond classroom walls, using real environments to strengthen observation, participation and self-directed learning.

The programme focuses on teaching and learning methods that can be applied in schools, adult education, VET and youth training. It introduces approaches such as experiential and inquiry-based learning, place-based education, creative reflection and mindfulness. Digital and AI tools are used as supportive instruments for exploration, documentation and reflection – helping educators make learning more interactive and inclusive.

Field activities include visits to St Paul’s Bay, Valletta, Mdina, Mosta, Ta’ Qali, Spazju Kreattiv and Ħaġar Qim temples, where participants explore how parks, museums, heritage sites and community spaces can become learning environments. Visits to MCAST - The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology and Lifelong Learning centre and meeting craftsmanship trainers demonstrate how vocational teachers integrate authentic workspaces and creative practice into their teaching.

By the end of the course, participants will have developed a personal toolbox of methods and adaptable learning designs for bringing urban and natural environments into their own educational practice.

As a result of the course, an participants will: 

• Explore the educational potential of urban, natural and cultural spaces

• Learn and apply experiential, inquiry-based and place-based methods

• Observe how VET and craft educators use authentic work environments for learning

• Use digital and AI tools to support exploration and reflection

• Integrate mindfulness and creative reflection to enhance learning experiences

• Design adaptable outdoor and contextual learning activities for different learner groups

Programme*: 

Day 1: Introduction to learning environments – from classroom to city and nature; learning goals and approaches

Day 2: Experiential and place-based learning – observation, exploration and reflection

Day 3: Urban and community spaces as learning contexts, visit to the Lifelong learning centre – participatory and inquiry-based methods

Day 4: Nature and heritage as learning environments – connecting environment, identity and sustainability

Day 5: VET and applied learning environments – visit to MCAST and meeting with a craftsmanship trainer; using digital and AI tools for contextual learning

Day 6: Reflection and transfer – designing adaptable outdoor and workplace learning experiences; closing

*To ensure the best learning experience, the programme may be fine-tuned in response to participants’ interests and local conditions.

Details

Target group: teachers, VET trainers, adult educators, youth workers, and facilitators who wish to integrate outdoor, workplace and community-based environments into their teaching practice. 

Supportive learning materials of the programme will be sent to the participants in advance. 

The training itself will not be built on lectures or presentations, but on searching effective solutions and inspiration for the participants; practice, discovering experiences of other countries, and spending valuable time together. 

We make tailor-made programmes according to the organisations needs if the whole group is from one organisation.

Course fee: 480 € 

The amount includes preparation for the course, training, training materials and organizational costs, coffee breaks and a guided tour. 

Accommodation and meals are not included.

Location & Dates

• 23 - 28 March 2026, Malta

• 19 - 24 April 2027, Malta (exact dates to be confirmed)

Assessment

• Participants will create a personal learning toolbox, integrating methods, activities, and digital tools suitable for urban, natural, and cultural learning environments. The toolbox should demonstrate how the chosen approaches can be adapted to different contexts (school, adult education, youth work or VET). Assessment will focus on relevance, creativity, and alignment with course objectives.

Certification details

• Every participant will receive a Certificate of Completion. Upon request, a Europass Mobility Certificate can also be issued.

• Our courses are designed and delivered in accordance with the Quality Standards for courses under Key Action 1.

• We offer support to participants in completing Learning Agreements and any other documents required by their organisations.

Facilitator

Georgi Timcenko has a bachelors and masters degree (Cum Laude) in andragogy in Tallinn University (Estonia) and has been practicing in the field of adult education since 2006. He holds the highest occupational qualification - Adult Educator, EQF Level 8 certificate. His experience as a trainer is mainly based on supporting the development of adult educators, training managers, internal trainers, youth workers and teachers of various types of educational institutions, including in the public and private sector, NGOs and universities in Europe and Asia. As a founder and board member of the NGO Estonian Community of Adult Educators, and as the head of the EPALE National Support Service in Estonia and as an evaluator of adult educators’ occupational qualification applicants, Georgi stands for the development of Estonian and European adult educators’ community.

Feedback of previous groups

"It was great, interesting and useful. Exactly as much as needed, perfectly balanced work and rest mode. I was impressed by the teacher's attention to each participant according to their needs and capabilities. It would be great to have such a teacher for training again. Maybe sometime and somewhere :)"

"Many useful tools, many positive emotions. So many interesting things and so little time in our lives! Thank you! It was unique experience."

REGISTER NOW