Teaching code

4S00815

Teacher

Tamara Bastianello

Coordinatore

Tamara Bastianello

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-PSI/04 - DEVELOPMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Period

Sem. 1A, Sem. 1B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding
1. Having a basic knowledge and understanding of the theoretical foundations of the different behavioral observation techniques.
2. Have a basic knowledge and understanding of characteristics, use conditions, advantages and limits of the different qualitative and quantitative techniques based on the observation of child behavior in her/his contexts.
3. Having a basic knowledge and understanding of the opportunities to use specific tools for observing and evaluating the child's abilities in different developmental domains.

Applying knowledge and understanding
1. Being able to use the different observational techniques learned during the course, and apply the most appropriate in educational practice.
2. Being able to design a simple data collection based on the observation of child behavior in an educational context.
3. Being able to assess the reliability and validity of data collected through observation, and to carry out a descriptive analysis of collected data.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Know the basics of developmental psychology

Program

Part 1. Theoretical and introductory in which the following topics will be treated: - Main epistemological issues related to observation, distinctive characteristics of observation (as a research method and data collection technique), and psychological processes involved; - Theoretical perspectives that use the observation of infantile behavior as a research and / or training method (detached, critical and participatory observation and related approaches); - The main qualitative and quantitative techniques of observation in educational contexts (narrative descriptions, coding scheme, check-list, evaluation scales): analysis of advantages and disadvantages; - How to design an observational study. Part 2. Practical-applicative: - Tools and techniques to observe adult-child interactions, among peers; - Tools and techniques to observe cognitive, linguistic, motor, socio-emotional development in the nursery and kindergarten; - Observe to plan interventions; - Notes on data collection and descriptive analysis of data.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The lessons will be frontal and interactive and guided exercises of various types will be conducted. A particular space will be dedicated to the observation and analysis of films for the application of the techniques presented, to the shared reading and interpretation of scientific articles and to the analysis of these in small groups. The materials that will be shared in class (with the sole exception of the videos) will be shared via the Moodle platform. Since this is a methodological course, attendance at the lessons is highly recommended and is a prerequisite and indispensable to participate in the Laboratory of Observation Techniques of Infantile Behavior.

Learning assessment procedures

Reference bibliography for exam preparation (for all students): 1) Baumgartner (2018). L’osservazione del comportamento infantile. Carocci. (Tutto tranne cap. 8)
2) Aureli & Perucchini (2014) Osservare e valutare il comportamento del bambino. Il Mulino (Solo parte seconda, da pag. 117 a 199)
Scientific articles (international journals) and materials provided by the teacher, shared in class and / or via the Moodle platform.
Supporting Bibliography: Belsky, J. (2020). Psicologia dello Sviluppo. Zanichelli (For those who have not taken the Development Psychology exam)
For students attending the final exam is characterized by an ongoing test (the result of a group work) and a written test (3 open questions, duration: 1.5 hours). For non-attending students, the exam is characterized by a written test (3 open questions, duration: 1.5 hours) with the possibility of integrating the exam in oral form.

Evaluation criteria

The written test will assess whether the student: - knows and has understood both the principles that guide the observational method, and the different observation techniques (distinctive characteristics, conditions and methods of use, advantages, limits) and theoretical perspectives that use them; - will know how to relate and process the knowledge acquired; - will know how to apply the acquired knowledge in a critical and competent way; - will know how to apply the knowledge acquired in concrete contexts of psycho-pedagogical research and educational practice; - will know how to present their arguments with clarity and terminological mastery.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

Attendants: arithmetic mean of the ongoing test and of the three questions of the written test. Not attended: arithmetic average of the three questions and possible oral evaluation

Exam language

Italiano