The anthropological theory of the didactical (ATD)

A ph.d.-course in science and mathematics education organised by the Department of Science Education (IND) and the Graduate School of Education (FUKU), University of Copenhagen

 

Course leaders: Carl Winsløw and Marianne Mortensen 

Guest lecturers:  Yves Chevallard (U. Aix-Marseille, France) og Marianna Bosch (U. Ramon Llull, Spain)

Aim of course

The aim of the course is to introduce participants to the main theoretical and methodical elements of ATD, and to support them in doing a small project using these elements, preferably in close connection to (or even integrable into) their own ph.d.-project. In the course focus is on both ATD as an analytical tool for analysing teaching practise and as a framework for design of teaching interventions.

What is ATD?

Today the ATD represents a spreading field of research, regrouping about 200 researchers mainly from Europe and America. The ATD constitutes a development of the didactic transposition theory, born in 1985 with the publication of Chevallard's book: "La transposition didactique: du savoir savant au savoir enseigné". Among later developments, the most important are the theoretical constructs around praxeological organisations, the analysis of didactical determinations and the method of research and study courses. At different levels, these theoretical constructs are powerful aids to analyse human practice and knowledge - and the institutionalised learning of them. In particular, such analysis requires a sufficient distance from "naturalised models" found within the institutions we study, in order to allow us to identify deficiencies in modes of work that look completely necessary within the institutions' own models.

About the course

The course is designed to doctoral students within mathematics or science education, with projects involving teaching practise or/and teaching materials. Knowledge of the anthropological theory of the didactical is not a prerequisite - but certainly an expected outcome!  The course will actively integrate the participants' projects into the work. The invited international specialists will offer workshops and lecturers in the first part of the course. The participants must anticipate work before and between the meeting dates, and participation in the three sessions (see below) is required. Credit for the course is 7½ ECTS, pending approval from sending institution, corresponding to a total workload of about 200 hours.

Financials:

Participation in the course is free of charge, but participants must organise (and secure funding for) their own travel and lodging in Copenhagen.

Timeline of the course

  • Registration deadline: December, 15, 2009
  • Confirmation of registration and mailing of course literature: December, 18

Course dates:

  • February 11-12, 2010: 10.00 -18.00 and 09.00 - 15.00
  • April 15-16, 2010, 10.00 -18.00 and 09.00 - 15.00
  • June 10-11, 2010, 10.00 -18.00 and 09.00 - 15.00