Project and evaluation of learning environments (2016/2017)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the participant will be able to:
• Understand the conceptual bases of the approach for “learning environments”;
• Understand the formative impact of some strategies of learning environments and identify the most appropriate contexts for their use: in/out/beyond the classroom;
• Analyse and conceive efficient plans of learning environments;
• Understand the trainer’s role in planning and valuating learning environments;
• Conceive efficient plans of learning environments in which internet and computer technologies are included
• Find resources and tools to continue the study of the course subject.

The course covers the following topics:
References for the conceptual design of "learning environments”: constructivism, meaningfull learning
Learning as a process
Formal, informal and non-formal learning
Models and metaphors of "learning environment"
Training and widespread role of the trainer
Some tools: task analysis, skills, conceptual knowledge, distributed knowledge, communities of practice, ICT
The design of learning environments with integrated ICT: project work
Examples of learning environments in the classroom, outside the classroom and beyond the classroom

Bibliography

LIPARI Domenico, Progettazione e valutazione nei processi formativi, Edizioni Lavoro, Roma 2009
TORRE Emanuela M., Dalla progettazione alla valutazione. Modelli e metodi per educatori e formatori, Carocci, Roma 2014
ROSSI Pier Giuseppe, Tecnologia e costruzione di mondi. Post-costruttivismo, linguaggi e ambienti di apprendimento, Armando, Roma 2009
ARDIZZONE Paolo, RIVOLTELLA Pier Cesare, Media e tecnologie per la didattica, Vita e Pensiero, Milano 2008
CASTOLDI Mario, Progettare per competenze. Percorsi e strumenti, Carocci, Roma 2011
Dispensa a cura di CAPUTO Beniamino, Linee di progettazione e Valutazione per la costruzione di ambienti efficaci di apprendimento

Methodological aspects
As far as possible, the course method aims at forming an experience of learning environments through the participants’ involvement in the activities both in classroom and on-line. The participation to on-line activities might be alternative to the study of some texts, or part of them, for the exam. For this reason too, attending lectures is highly recommended.
The lectures consist of:
• Frontal lectures
• On line activities
• Analysis of texts and film material
• Discussion on chosen subjects and indicated material
• Witnesses
• Practice exercises

E-learning space dedicated to the course
Beyond the lecture activities, in the on line space created on purpose for the course, it will be possible to share materials, exchange and realize the project work. In this space there will be the contents of the lectures. The space will be available until the end of the exams.

Assessment:
The exam will be a written task with some open questions and some closed questions.
Before the written task, the students must submit an abstract according to the following guidelines:

For those who attend classes
Short paper (abstract maximum 5 pages) on the content of the course starting from a chosen chapter of the bibliography or a topic presented during the lectures ( reference: educational material of the on line course).
Oral exam, starting from the paper, on the topics of the lectures and the on line activities.

For those who do not attend classes
Paper (abstract at least 8 pages) on the content of the course starting from a chosen chapter of the bibliography.
Oral exam of critical discussion on the texts in the bibliography, the topics of the lectures (starting from the material uploaded on the university web platform).
For those who take part to the on line learning activities, for both those who attend and those who do not, the production of glossary entries and the participation to project-work activities are elements of evaluation for the exam.
The abstract must be sent to beniamino.caputo@univr.it within at least 7 days before the oral exam.

STUDENT MODULE EVALUATION - 2016/2017