99703 - Sports Education and Motor Praxeology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be familiar with some specific issues regarding sports initiation in childhood, both in terms of the skills that a coach/educator must possess and the aspects related to family involvement, and the role that schools can play in promoting the culture of sports. In particular, will be highlighted: the educational pathway characterizing children's engagement in sports; the psycho-pedagogical and managerial issues of sports contexts; aspects of sports and games that touch on currently important social issues: gender differences, sustainability, inclusion, fairness, and so on. Some basic concepts of Motor Praxeology, an epistemological branch of human motor sciences, will be introduced, particularly the followings: Motor Conduct; Universals of Game; Internal and External Logic of Play; Sociomotricity; Semiomotricity; Sports and Games Classification. Each category of sports and motor games is worthy of analysis and evaluation for its educational contributions, especially taking into account that motor activities develop important decision-making skills.

Course contents

The course focuses on education processes through the body, specifically addressing the following theoretical and practical aspects:

• Play Universals: Space, Time, Objects, Scores, Roles, Relationships, Communication;

• Classification of motor activities;

• The 'internal' and 'external' logic of games;

• Motor communication or 'ludemes': gestemes and praxemes;

• The main approaches to active Physical Education;

• Structural and organizational issues of educational approaches;

• Management of shared development processes;

• Promoting active and inclusive lifestyles through physical, motor, and play education projects. 

Readings/Bibliography

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

Bortolotti, A. (a cura di)(2023). Il management sportivo umanistico. Bologna: BUP.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods are: traditional lectures, use of media, expert lectures, guided discussions, outdoor experiences, and small group project work.

The course utilizes the 'Virtuale' platform of Unibo, where all the necessary information and materials to achieve the required objectives can be found. Students are required to read the key documents and any additional readings provided by the teacher. Active participation and contribution to class discussions are very important educational aspects of the course. The course may include some optional intermediate assignments. In any case, those who are unable to attend and complete the various exercises can still take their exam during the scheduled sessions.

Assessment methods

The final examination is designed to verify the achievement of the following learning goals: 

• Extensive knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures;
• independent and critical thinking on these topics;
• ability to apply the topics learned to concrete contexts in the area of sport and physical work;
• effective presentation skills.

Choice-based test:

• Written test with both multiple-choice and open-ended questions; 
  
  
• Oral test;
  
  
• Small group project work (subject to be agreed in advance). 

Teaching tools

The required and recommended readings, as well as the lecture slides, are available on 'Virtuale.' Various sources (audiovisual materials, examples of practical activities, guided discussions, shared reflections, etc.) will also be used from time to time to delve deeper into the concepts covered in the course. 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