Focus on the future. An orientation project of the university of L'Aquila

In today's society, informal learning patterns increasingly involve the use of creative tools that enable individuals to rapidly acquire new knowledge and skills. Since, in a constantly evolving context, it is mainly young people who are experimenting with ever-changing creative practices, it seems necessary that educational institutions also learn to speak the language of innovation (Shaheen, 2010), using original tools to dialogue with young people and making educational proposals accessible and comprehensible to them (Fabbris, 2009). In this perspective, this contribution aims to illustrate an orientation project carried out within the framework of the degree course in Education and Social Service Sciences at the University of L'Aquila and addressed to students of some Abruzzo high schools. In order to strengthen the collaboration between schools, universities and the working world, the researchers developed a two-steps cultural proposal, able to positively intervene on the students' reflection and construction of the educators and social workers profiles and their professional prefigurations. Within the framework of informal learning strategies, the project coordinators used innovative tools to allow the students to focus on tasks, objectives and methods of intervention related to the working environments in which the two professionals work. Specifically, the project included different moments of orientation, training and action, set in two different settings: school and university classrooms. By virtue of an articulated workshop course, which included simulations and role-plays, objectives and tasks relating to the professions in question were analyzed, using participative learning practices and heuristic and creative strategies to achieve the expected training outcomes.