Cultural-historical theory and activity-theory - approach as promising perspective in education. Italian experiences

Analysing the dissemination of the Cultural-historical-school and the Activity- theory- approach in psychology, the authors give an account of the relevance of these theories for education and instruction. Is the focus of both conceptions represented by education in the frame of social and collective experience as generative of the higher human levels of psychic functioning? The development of psychology as a science during the XX century in Italy proves a general reductionistic approach to higher mental functioning, typical for a man. Cultural, historical, and activity theory approaches in psychology look differentially at attaining conscience, the higher form of human psychic and cognitive development. The joint Master's degree program/M.S.U.P.E./Sapienza in Pedagogy and the new Master's Degree of M.S.U.P.E. on "Cultural, Historical Psychology and Activity Theory Approach in education" enhances and evaluates these scientific acquisitions of international science. New ways for expanding inter-university cooperation among different countries and some positive results are exposed and commented upon.