General didactics (Fundamentals of general didactics) a.y. 2025-2026 – Scienze dell'Educazione e della Formazione (EDU)

Teacher: Prof. Angela Spinelli

CFU: 12
Course code: 804002516
Bachelor Degrees: Scienze dell’educazione e della formazione
Language: Italian

Course delivery modalities: in-presence/distance
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: written test

Pre-requisites:
Basic knowledge of the history of pedagogy Basic knowledge of philosophical terminology and pedagogical

Program:
The course defines the field of investigation and action of the didactics. It proposes a reconstruction of the concept of method to understand its historical, semantic and applicative evolutions.

Text books:
Castoldi Mario, Didattica generale, Mondadori, 2015 Comenio, La grande didattica, La Nuova Italia, 1996 (not commercially available, available among teaching materials) John Dewey, Esperienza e educazione, Cortina, 2014 Study materials in Moodle (https://e-learning.uniroma2.it/)

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: the course develops the theoretical knowledge of the discipline in its historical evolution and practical application fields. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: knowledge of the historical evolution of didactics understanding of the epistemological status of the discipline knowledge of the fields of study and application APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: apply theories, concepts, methodologies in contexts different from the original MAKING JUDGEMENTS: identify relationships of interdisciplinary type COMMUNICATION SKILLS: demonstrate mastery of the basic vocabulary of the discipline and know how to use it in a coherent and logically structured way in oral and written form LEARNING SKILLS: understanding of the disciplinary basis and argumentation of the practical consequences in terms of educational professional development

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
the course develops the theoretical knowledge of the discipline in its historical evolution and practical application fields.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
knowledge of the historical evolution of didactics
understanding of the epistemological status of the discipline
knowledge of the fields of study and application
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
apply theories, concepts, methodologies in contexts different from the original
MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
identify relationships of interdisciplinary type
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
demonstrate mastery of the basic vocabulary of the discipline and know how to use it in a coherent and logically structured way in oral and written form
LEARNING SKILLS:
understanding of the disciplinary basis and argumentation of the practical consequences in terms of educational professional development

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The assessment of learning consists of: ongoing assessment activities available on the platform throughout the academic year; review of a text of the student’s choice (practical test); in-person written test. The examination assesses the student’s overall preparation, ability to relate knowledge to the various parts of the syllabus, coherence of argumentation, analytical ability and autonomy of judgement. The student’s command of written and oral language is also assessed. The final grade is based on the evaluation of the practical test (review) and the written test (questionnaire) according to these criteria: Not passed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies; topics are stated inconsistently and with inappropriate language. 18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics, with generalisations and imperfections and little analytical/argumentative ability. 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics, but with generalisations and imperfections and little analytical/argumentative ability. 24-26: Good knowledge and understanding of the topics; good analytical and synthetic skills with clearly expressed arguments, but with not always adequate vocabulary and a mnemonic approach. 27-29: Very good knowledge and understanding of the topics; ability to analyse and synthesise. Good autonomy of judgement. Arguments presented in a rigorous manner and with appropriate vocabulary. 30-30 with distinction: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of topics. Excellent analysis, synthesis and independent judgement. Arguments are expressed in an original manner and with appropriate vocabulary.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

The assessment of learning consists of:
ongoing assessment activities available on the platform throughout the academic year;
review of a text of the student’s choice (practical test);
in-person written test.
The examination assesses the student’s overall preparation, ability to relate knowledge to the various parts of the syllabus, coherence of argumentation, analytical ability and autonomy of judgement. The student’s command of written and oral language is also assessed.
The final grade is based on the evaluation of the practical test (review) and the written test (questionnaire) according to these criteria:
Not passed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies; topics are stated inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics, with generalisations and imperfections and little analytical/argumentative ability.
21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics, but with generalisations and imperfections and little analytical/argumentative ability.
24-26: Good knowledge and understanding of the topics; good analytical and synthetic skills with clearly expressed arguments, but with not always adequate vocabulary and a mnemonic approach.
27-29: Very good knowledge and understanding of the topics; ability to analyse and synthesise. Good autonomy of judgement. Arguments presented in a rigorous manner and with appropriate vocabulary.
30-30 with distinction: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of topics. Excellent analysis, synthesis and independent judgement. Arguments are expressed in an original manner and with appropriate vocabulary.

Attendance modalities:
The course is delivered in a blended format (mix of face-to-face and distance learning) with classroom lessons, online lessons and educational activities to be carried out on the Moodle platform (https://e-learning.uniroma2.it/). Access to the platform is mandatory, attendance at synchronous lessons (both in person and remotely) is optional.