| dc.description.abstract | The project presents a research on perspective taking, aimed to investigate two specific themes: the
age when the child leaves perceptive egocentrism, and gender differences in the management of
spatial reference systems. The innovative contribution of this work is that it has addressed the issue
with a not abused tool for this field: the videogame. The first product of the project was, therefore, a
video game prototype, named IKeWYSE, which has been the data collecting instrument for the
experimental research project.
The paper presents a quick historical overview on the concepts of space, perception and action,
introducing the concept of Umwelt, then addresses the issue of the representation of space in the
child, from Piaget to neurosciences, describing the reference systems competing in the
representation of space and the Piagetian conceptual framework, and reporting the scientific debate
on the "three mountains task" and the spatial theory of empathy.
Once described the conceptual framework, the text presents the research design, the path for design
and development of the videogame, the methods for data collection and discusses the results
obtained. Finally, the experimental process has led to observe how the cognitive processes involved
in peculiar orienteering activities (map reading, route selection, spatial thinking) are processes also
involved in the management of inter-subjective relationship modes, and make the orienteering a
sport with great potential in terms of teaching. The final part of the text develops describing
orienteering as a sport, stressing the connections with current national guidelines for the first cycle
of education, and, in the light of the review of the scientific literature on cognitive processes
involved in spatial navigation and management of spatial reference systems, it concludes with a
proposal for the spread of orienteering as effective teaching practice in an educational context
oriented to inclusion of pupils presenting Special Educational Needs. [edited by Author] | it_IT |
