OVERVIEW

Geography educated to place itself in a relational space where each route is part of interactions between natural , socio-cultural, economic and political systems. The spatial dimension should be interpreted as a cultural mediator capable of directing the development of relationships with the environment, the territory and the society. In fact, between the educational values of geography there is confer the sense of space, based on the need to structure and extend their mental maps.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at fostering knowledge of the founding cores of Geography Teaching Methodology, with a view to the introduction of this discipline in primary and nursery school, along with the acquisition of general abilities, such as reading and interpreting both thematic maps and territorial ‘signs’.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation in the proposed teaching activities and individual study will enable the student to:

• understand the meaning of basic geographical concepts (space, territory, landscape, environment);
• interpret the meaning of the educational goals and objectives proposed by the National Indications for the Curriculum relating to the teaching of geography in the first cycle of education;
• interpreting the meaning of the National Indications for the Curriculum in the section dedicated to pre-school, from the point of view of geography;
• analysing the main problems relating to the action of human beings in terrestrial spaces;
• to project effective teaching activities consistent with the set teaching objectives and educational curricula capable of achieving the goals for the development of competences indicated at ministerial level.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching activities will be organised in order to encourage active learning on the part of the students, and for this reason there will be alternating moments of frontal, participatory and laboratory teaching.
Frontal and participatory teaching will be aimed at fostering the understanding of basic geographical concepts and their meaning in relation to the educational goals and objectives proposed by the National Curriculum Directions. Laboratory teaching will be based on problem-based methodologies, working in small groups with the aim of analysing some geographical issues and project didactics activity in primary and/or preschool.

For students with DSA certifications or specific disabilities, compensatory or dispensatory measures are ensured, while taking care of the acquisition of the skills and knowledge required for teaching.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teaching has two main aims: to stimulate the acquisition of geographical skills for the interpretation of spatial processes at various scales; to apply the acquired geographical skills in the field of typing. In particular, the teaching focuses on the following themes:

• critical reflection on the goals and objectives indicated by the National Indications for the Curriculum for the teaching of Geography; 
• presentation of basic geographical concepts (space, territory, landscape, environment) and their application in teaching;
• reflections on spatial orientation and its importance in kindergarten and primary school teaching;
• analysis of problems relating to the relationship between human beings and planet Earth;
• analysis of problems relating to the use of cartography and images.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Teaching material (scientific articles, slides, videos) uploaded on AulaWeb by the teacher.

- Reading of one of the following books at least:

• De Vecchis G., Pasquinelli D'Allegra D. (2024), Sapere e saper fare geografia. Teorie e pratiche nella scuola dell'infanzia e primaria. Torino: UTET Università.
• De Vecchis G., Morri R. (2023), Disegnare il mondo. Il linguaggio cartografico nella scuola primaria. Roma: Carocci.
• Giorda C. (2014). Il mio spazio nel mondo. Geografia per la scuola dell'infanzia e primaria. Roma: Carocci.

Non-attending students may integrate the topics covered in the lectures with the following text:

• De Vecchis G., Palagiano C., a cura di (2021), Le parole chiave della geografia, Roma: Carocci (solo i capitoli 19,23,24,26,32,33,34,35).
• Giorda C. (2014). Il mio spazio nel mondo. Geografia per la scuola dell'infanzia e primaria. Roma: Carocci.

Students with DSA certification or specific disabilities are invited to contact the lecturer before the exam.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIACOMO ZANOLIN (President)

SARA BONATI

RENATA ALLEGRI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

25/02/2025

Class schedule

DIDACTICS OF GEOGRAPHY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will take place through the composition of a portfolio, in which the main teaching contents and their teaching applications in pre-school and primary schools will be elaborated. 

Further details on the compilation of the portfolio will be provided by the lecturer during the first lesson and will be communicated via the Aulaweb platform after the start of the course.

Non-attending students will receive specific information through the Aulaweb platform.

For students with DSA certifications or specific disabilities, compensatory or dispensatory measures are ensured, while taking care of the acquisition of the skills and knowledge required for teaching.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Through the composition of the portfolio, it will be possible to test the understanding of the geographical concepts and problems presented and the ability to develop them didactically.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

It is possible to take the exam only after having acquired the laboratory credit in Didactics of Geography.

All students are invited to periodically consult the page of this course on the e-learning portal AulaWeb (accessible from the University website or at www.aulaweb.unige.it). All information and materials relating to this course are published exclusively on this site.

Students who do not attend the lectures are invited to contact the lecturer in order to agree on the examination procedures