This paper reflects on the importance of digital education as a central challenge for contemporary schooling. It presents an experience of integrating the STEAM approach (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) within early childhood and primary education. STEAM is not merely a teaching method, but an educational vision that connects the physical and digital worlds within a “phygital” learning environment. Research conducted through the App Digital Education project at Sapienza University of Rome shows that STEAM activities foster children’s creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and emotional development. Inspired by the theories of Vygotsky and Montessori, this approach emphasizes experiential learning and the use of technological tools—such as educational robots—to make learning inclusive, engaging, and meaningful. The contribution aims to highlight how STEAM education offers a concrete response to current educational challenges and an opportunity to rethink the role of teachers in the digital age.
Il contributo propone una riflessione sull’importanza di educare al digitale come sfida centrale per la scuola contemporanea. Viene presentata l’esperienza di integrazione del metodo STEAM (Scienza, Tecnologia, Ingegneria, Arte e Matematica) nei contesti della scuola dell’infanzia e primaria, inteso non solo come approccio didattico, ma come visione educativa capace di connettere il mondo reale e quello digitale in un ambiente “phygital”. Le sperimentazioni condotte nell’ambito del progetto App Digital Education dell’Università “La Sapienza” di Roma evidenziano come le attività STEAM favoriscano nei bambini creatività, pensiero critico, collaborazione e sviluppo emotivo. Ispirato ai principi di Vygotskij e Montessori, il metodo valorizza l’apprendimento esperienziale e l’uso di strumenti tecnologici, come i robot educativi, per rendere l’apprendimento inclusivo e coinvolgente. Il contributo intende mostrare come l’educazione STEAM possa rappresentare una risposta concreta alle nuove esigenze formative e un’opportunità per ripensare la professionalità docente nell’era digitale.
From Access to Empowerment: Addressing Digital Educational Poverty and Promoting Wellbeing / Pastore, Patrizio. - (2024). (Intervento presentato al convegno From Access to Empowerment: Addressing Digital Educational Poverty and Promoting Wellbeing. tenutosi a Roma).
From Access to Empowerment: Addressing Digital Educational Poverty and Promoting Wellbeing.
Patrizio, Pastore.Primo
2024
Abstract
This paper reflects on the importance of digital education as a central challenge for contemporary schooling. It presents an experience of integrating the STEAM approach (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) within early childhood and primary education. STEAM is not merely a teaching method, but an educational vision that connects the physical and digital worlds within a “phygital” learning environment. Research conducted through the App Digital Education project at Sapienza University of Rome shows that STEAM activities foster children’s creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and emotional development. Inspired by the theories of Vygotsky and Montessori, this approach emphasizes experiential learning and the use of technological tools—such as educational robots—to make learning inclusive, engaging, and meaningful. The contribution aims to highlight how STEAM education offers a concrete response to current educational challenges and an opportunity to rethink the role of teachers in the digital age.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
