96285 - Special Pedagogy and Motor Praxeology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires skills in planning special educational projects that allow for the reduction of disabilities and the achievement of new autonomies. Specifically, through the analysis of social inclusion experiences involving difficult subjects in both school and extracurricular contexts, the student is able to develop critical and systematic reflections on educational mediation pathways, using the necessary evaluation tools typical of social sciences. Additionally, the student learns the epistemological foundations of Motor Praxeology, a branch of human movement sciences that introduces the concepts of motor conduct, play universals, internal and external logic of game, motor interaction and communication, sociomotricity, and semiomotricity. Finally, the student understands the main models of Outdoor Education and is capable of adapting them to the field of Human Movement Sciences. In summary, the student is able to:

• promote inclusive motor activities in both indoor and outdoor environments within various educational contexts;
• understand the motivations that lead to adopting experiential education as a general training approach;
• provide some typical Outdoor Education teaching tools, such as excursions or outdoor play activities, to implement inclusive interventions.

Course contents

Special Pedagogy Module:

• why and how implement the inclusive physical education;
• overcoming socio-cultural barriers and personal deficits;
• managing structural elements and personal issues to support change;
• right to involvement for everyone in everyday life pathways;
• sharing processes for the development of knowledge and skills.

Motor Praxeology and Outdoor Education Module:

• Play universals: space, time, objects, scores, roles, relationships, communication;
• motor communication: ludemes (gestemes and praxemes);
• classification of motor activities;
• recent history of Outdoor Education: peculiarities of the main outdoor education programs;
• promoting active and inclusive lifestyles through motor activity and Outdoor Education programs.

Readings/Bibliography

Ferretti, E. (2016). Educazione in gioco. Bellinzona: Casagrande.

Bortolotti, A. (a cura di)(2024). Alla ricerca dello spazio perduto. Studi e ricerche in Outdoor Education. Milano: Guerini.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods are: traditional lectures, expert lectures, guided discussions and exercises, outdoor experiences, and project work.
The course is delivered on the 'Virtuale' platform, which contains all the necessary information and materials. The course may include optional intermediate assignments. Students are required to read the suggested documents provided by the teacher, available on 'Virtuale'. Active participation and contribution to class and outdoor discussions are very important formative aspects of the course. In any case, those who are unable to attend and participate in the various exercises can still take the exams during the scheduled sessions.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to assess the level of the following educational objectives:

• knowledge of the topics covered during the lessons;
• critical and independent thinking on the topics covered;
• ability to apply the learned themes to concrete contexts in the field of sports and physical activities;
• ability to effectively present various knowledge and skills.

Choice of assessment method:

• Written test with both multiple-choice and open-ended questions
• Oral examination
• Small group project work (the topic must be agreed upon in advance)

Teaching tools

Mandatory and recommended readings, as well as lecture slides, are available on 'Virtuale'; various sources (audiovisuals, examples of practical activities, guided discussions, shared reflections, etc.) will also be used from time to time to deepen the concepts covered. The module also adheres to the DDI (Didattica Digitale Integrativa: Integrative Digital Teaching) approach, so lectures will be recorded and made available on 'Virtuale' as they occur.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Bortolotti