Glossary of Teaching Methodologies

The Transitions program adopts a set of teaching methodologies specifically designed to support collaborative learning, critical reflection, and systems thinking within the textile ecosystem. Rather than relying solely on traditional instructional formats, this program embraces a participatory and experiential approach. These methodologies are chosen to align with the program’s core values: fostering dialogue across stakeholders, encouraging innovation, and empowering learners to co-create sustainable futures.

• Active Learning: engages learners through meaningful activities, emphasizing learner activity and engagement over passive reception of information.
• Blended Learning: integrates technology for personalized instruction, combining group dynamics and computer-aided individual skill sequences.
• Case Study Analysis: learners analyze real-world scenarios and practices to understand complex issues and apply theoretical
• Challenge-based Learning: learners tackle real-world problems with the aim of finding practical solutions.
• Collaborative Projects: group work focusing on joint problem- solving and learning.
• Computational Thinking: merges mathematics, sciences, and digital literacy for developing skills using ICT and problem-solving
• Creative Problem Solving: focuses on innovative solutions through creative thinking, exploring multiple possibilities and approaches.
• Design Sprint: a time-constrained process where learners go through phases of design, prototyping, and testing ideas or
• Design Thinking: uses designer mindsets and methods to create user-focused strategies, emphasizing process over product and combining design, technology, and business.
• Digital Platform Exploration: engaging with online platforms to learn and apply digital competencies.
• Digital Tools Training: provides hands-on training sessions on digital tools, such as 3D modeling software, 3d printing, laser cutting, management tools, etc.
• Embodied Learning: learning through physical activity and bodily experience to grasp concepts.
• Experiential learning: connects theory to practice, whereby students “learn by doing” and by reflecting on the experience. Experiential learning activities can include, but are not limited to, hands-on laboratory experiments, practicums, field exercises, industry internships, and collaborative projects with fashion professionals and organizations.
• Expert Panels: sessions with experts discussing specialized topics, providing insights and professional perspectives.
• Field Trips and Industry Visits: facilitate productive conversations between trainees  and  employees,  creating  networking opportunities and offering valuable insights into practical applications and real-life work environments. They can be composed of organized visits to Fab Labs, digital fabrication manufacturing facilities, factories, design offices, or research centers.
• Flipped Classroom: inverts traditional teaching by having students learn lessons at home and work on projects in class, fostering critical thinking and independent learning.
• Focus group methodology: it is about forming a multidisciplinary group to reflect, ideate and propose solutions around a specific topic. It involves structured discussions where participants can collectively discuss, express their perspective, analyze information, prototype and propose design interventions.
• Gamification: incorporates game design elements into learning to enhance creativity, retention, and engagement.
• Group Discussions and Brainstorming Sessions: interactive sessions for generating ideas and discussing topics
• Guest Lectures and Industry Insights: lectures by industry professionals sharing real-world experiences and knowledge.
• Individual Project and Presentation: independent work on a project followed by a presentation of the findings or
• Informal Learning: learning from experience that takes place outside formally structured, institutionally sponsored, classroom- based activities.
• Inquiry-Based Learning: focuses on investigation and problem- solving, flipping the learning process and using various modalities like research and workshops.
• Interactive Discussions: Dynamic discussions that involve active participation and exchange of ideas.
• Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that involve learners actively through questions, activities, or discussions.
• Interactive Workshops: Practical sessions that involve active participation in tasks or problem-solving activities.
• Lectures and Seminars: inspire, inform and connect participants to professionals, experts, or alumni. They are about sharing perspectives, experiences and challenges on industry trends, technological advancements, sustainability and career paths.
• Market Research Techniques: teaching various methods for conducting market research.
• Masterclass: advanced courses by experts for in-depth exploration of subjects, emphasizing critical thinking and specialized knowledge.
• Microlearning: utilizes small, focused learning materials in e- Learning for specific goals, improving understanding and retention through concise content.
• Multi-Literacies and Discussion-Based Teaching: prioritizes active engagement and diverse texts, fostering rational thinking and higher-order skills.
• Nanolearning: short, focused tutorials for professional skills development, personalized and adaptable to individual
• Online Collaboration Platforms: create digital space for participants to engage in collaborative design activities, share ideas, and provide feedback asynchronously. Organize co-design sessions by using online platforms like Miro, or Figma etc.
• Online Resources: utilizing web-based resources for learning and
• Open Lab: allocate dedicated time for participants to freely explore and experiment with Fab Lab equipment under supervision to cultivate independent learning and experimentation.
• Peer Review and Feedback Sessions: learners review each other’s work and provide constructive feedback.
• Project-Based Learning: participants develop projects through practical application of skills and problem-solving approaches, combining design thinking and
• Role-playing: teaching method that involves students in simulated situations, enabling them to assume different roles and interact with authentic It can be used to enhance various skills, including design, merchandising, communication, and customer interaction. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of industry dynamics, encourages collaboration, and improves interpersonal skills.
• Self-Directed Learning: encourages individuals to take initiative in their learning, emphasizing personal responsibility, autonomy, and
• Signature Pedagogy: shapes how future practitioners are educated, developing habits of mind, hands, and heart foundational for professional practice.
• Seminars: inspire, inform and connect participants to professionals, experts, or alumni. They are about sharing perspectives, experiences and challenges on industry trends, technological advancements, sustainability and career.
• Simulation Exercises: using simulations to mimic real-world processes or situations for learning purposes.
• Simulation Games: games that simulate real-life scenarios for educational purposes.
• Situated Learning: acquired through active participation in specific workplace settings.
• STEAM Model integrates science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics for a comprehensive learning approach, beneficial for adult education.
• User-centered methodology: learners learn to conduct user research, create  personas,  actively  engage  with  external stakeholders and use iterative prototyping to refine their designs based on feedback, surveys and user data.
• Work-Based Learning (WBL): aligns with vocational education and training, emphasizing practical experience in educational
• Workshops: focused meetings for active discussion, problem- solving, and hands-on practice aimed at developing solutions and exchanging ideas.