Abstract:

In this paper we want to describe how, starting from our experience of Geometry’s teaching in two different academic contexts (mathematic and drawing), we identified common didactics tools in order to teach same concepts, starting from our different cultural backgrounds. The research lead us to design these tools together. Today, we use them to train the trainers to understand how to teach geometry in each kind of school level.

The aim is to educate the reading of the geometric shapes and their properties with particular attention to the architectural cases. To do this we use 3D models (for example origami models) and gaming activities, both with students and with trainers and our lessons held not only in the classroom but in public places such squares or cultural sites.

In fact, we believe that training is a role playing game in which the trainer has to interact with other participants knowing grasp the potential and limitations. The actors involved in a training program are many -teachers, students, trainees students- as well as many are the dynamics that develop between actors and places of learning. For example, The King and the Origami, an educational project for the understanding of architectural shape through the origami geometry in the royal residence of Venaria, was an opportunity not only to convey to students and visitors the geometry hidden in the architecture but also to train people who will support these activities: museum guides and trainees.

To observe the relationships between the different actors you need to work together and we believe that the best solution is a practical activity. Moreover, since one of the main problems of education is to make people interested, the strategy (for teachers) is probably the one to enjoy: theory and practice, lectures and workshops, concepts and projects, which is why we chose edutainment and origami. That's the way we do training requires the involvement of teachers in the field to directly test the practical activities for students. The teacher has to be able to change its point of view -to better understand the audience- working from the both side of the chair. The experience will allow them to present it again in class with dynamics similar, although not identical, and learn more about their partners.

Sponsered by our University Departments (Politecnico di Torino, DAD and DISMA) and closing agreements with schools -e.g. Circolo Didattico Marconi, Collegno (Torino, Italia) and Scuola C.Gallazzi, Busto Arsizio (Varese, Italia)-, we tested this way of training within days devoted to teacher training, as educational Festivals, workshops, events (scientific and educational) in Italy and not only.

Keywords:

Teaching, geometry, learn by doing, edutainment.