Unlocking the City: The “Adventurous Yield”
of our Maribor Scouting Mission
Author:
Stefania Masi
Istituto di Istruzione Superiore ’U. Di Pasca – G.Fortunato’ Potenza, Italy
As we advance through the timeline of our Urban Expedition project, we recently reached a pivotal milestone in Maribor, Slovenia. This mobility was not merely a coordination meeting; it served as a high-level “pedagogical laboratory.” A group of coordinators and expert teachers gathered to pilot an innovative methodology that we have termed Adventurous Learning.
The core objective? To test the “Adventurous Yield”—the measurable educational gain achieved when learners are pushed out of their comfort zones and into the “living classroom” of the urban environment.
The Oxford Influence: Assessment in Motion
Drawing inspiration from the assessment vanguard at the University of Oxford, we approached this mission with a focus on Process-Oriented Evaluation. Instead of assessing what a student knows about a city, we are interested in how they navigate, solve problems, and collaborate under pressure.
By experimenting with a Treasure Hunt ourselves, we, as educators, transitioned from “transmitters of knowledge” to “facilitators of experience.”
Field Report: The Maribor Pilot Treasure Hunt
Maribor, with its rich blend of medieval history and vibrant contemporary culture, provided the perfect backdrop for our experiment. The coordinators engaged in a rigorous “Alpha Test” of the urban trail.
- Tactical Navigation: We moved beyond Google Maps, using historical clues and architectural markers to bridge the gap between past and present.
- Cognitive Friction: The riddles were designed to create “productive struggle,” forcing us to use English as a lingua franca to decode complex instructions and interact with the local Slovenian community.
- The “Adventurous” Factor: By introducing elements of mystery and time-sensitivity, we observed how stress (the “adventurous” element) can actually enhance memory retention and group cohesion.
Key Outcomes for the Upcoming Student Mobility
Our experience in Maribor has allowed us to refine the toolset that our students will use during the next phase of the project. We have identified three pillars for a successful Urban Expedition:
- Gamification with Purpose: The Treasure Hunt isn’t just a game; it is a scaffolded learning activity that meets specific LOs (Learning Outcomes) regarding history, geography, and linguistic competence.
- Risk Management & Autonomy: We mapped out “safe-adventure zones,” ensuring students can exercise autonomy while remaining within a secure pedagogical framework.
- Reflective Practice: Just as we did in our debriefing in Maribor, students will be required to document their “Expeditio” .
This mission confirmed that Maribor is an ideal theater for urban exploration. As coordinators, experiencing the “thrill of the hunt” firsthand was essential. We are no longer just planning a trip; we are engineering an encounter with a foreign culture that is immersive, challenging, and intellectually rewarding.
The Urban Expedition continues. Our students are the next to face the challenge. Are they ready to claim their “Adventurous Yield”?