. – Methods and Techniques of Learning Processes
P
ROF
.
E
LENA
G
ATTI
; P
ROF
.
M
ARISA
G
IORGETTI
COURSE AIMS
The didactic aim of the course will be to analyse the components that are relevant to the learning process: the specific ways in which a subject at the development age learns, the specific cognitive functions and the type of mediation required to facilitate the performance and the wellbeing of the individual. Special attention will be paid to the human and institutional characteristics of the contexts in which the need to assess/diagnose learning difficulties takes place. The course will also require students to become thoroughly familiar with the knowledge of the study and intervention models.
COURSE CONTENT
M
ODULE
I (P
ROF
.
E
LENA
G
ATTI
)
The first module will give a model of assessment and intervention in the diverse contexts in which learning takes place (school and after-school). There is a dual aim: on one hand the aim is to train the student through the understanding and application of a working method that can link individual and context; on the other hand the intention is to foster knowledge and the use of tools and techniques useful for the assessment of learning processes and the principal methods of intervening on them.
M
ODULE
II (P
ROF
.
M
ARISA
G
IORGETTI
)
The aim of this module is to provide students with the skills needed to identify the cognitive functions understood in the processes of reading and writing. Working activities will be suggested to the students for honing, through the use of some tools, the specific abilities and skills involved in learning processes. The qualitative and quantitative outcomes that can be referred to the “cases” proposed will be the topic of discussion for thought and understanding of cognitive and neuropsychological profiles.
Finally, a general idea will be given of intervention paths with reference to the characteristics of various educational contexts.
READING LIST
Information on the course reading list will be given during the lectures.
TEACHING METHOD

Teaching will take place in the lecture room and the method vary according to the format of the lecture and of the practical lesson (role-playing, viewing of film material, demonstrations of techniques, case discussions, work in small groups, etc.). Specifically, the course will be finely practical with experience in character in which the working tools will be examined and the methods of administering them evaluated through analysis of actual procedures. Finally some explanatory cases will be given with the aim of outlining the principal lines of assessment and intervention proposals.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
With the aim of making the course a moment for experiment and concrete learning, students will be asked for a group paper on the contents presented in the course (first and second module) to be prepared in a small group (max. 4/5 people). This paper will be part of the assessment material.
Final assessment will be completed by an oral interview in which students will be asked to demonstrate the skills learnt with the aim of motivating the “willingness to learn” in various contexts (family, school, services). Therefore, the criteria for the final assessment are: attendance at lectures, the group paper and individual discussion of the topics presented in the two modules with reference to the texts itemized in the reading list.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice board.