This article has been subjected to double blind peer review

This article has been published in: Ocula 34, Mobility. Urban space. Learning.

author: Giulia Conti (Dipartimento di Comunicazione ed Economia, Università degli studenti di Modena e Reggio Emilia, IT)

Playing the Space. Play as a Process of Learning of Space / in Space

language: italian

abstract: This article aims to present a didactic experiment exploring the potential of integrating play as an educational tool in formal learning contexts. The research investigates how playful practices, such as urban exploration and urban games, can facilitate learning by fostering an active and creative engagement with space while offering new perspectives on the use and perception of urban environments. Within the framework of the Sociology of Participation course, the experiment employed gamification apps to enhance the city as an educational resource. Specifically, findings suggest that urban play can act as a catalyst for experiential learning, transforming urban spaces into an open-air laboratory for creativity and innovation. This approach opens new avenues for interdisciplinary, learner-centered pedagogy, where play serves as a lens to reveal underlying dynamics and approaches, enriching the pedagogical and sociological understanding of urban space.

citation information: Giulia Conti, Giocare lo spazio. Il gioco come processo di apprendimento dello spazio/nello spazio, "Ocula", vol.26, n.34, pp.24-34, May 2025. DOI: 10.57576/ocula2025-19

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