The "Pedagogical Conversations. Dialogues with the Classics of Pedagogy" series, promoted by the Degree Program in Primary Education at the University of Trieste, continues at the Rogers Station.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM, Elena Bortolotti, professor of Teaching and Special Education at the University of Trieste's Department of Humanities, will speak on "Jean Piaget. The Piagetian Clinical Interview".

Jean Piaget (1896–1980), after an initial training in biology and zoology, turned his attention to epistemology, focusing in particular on the processes of knowledge construction. During his time in Paris, he worked on intelligence tests for children: this experience was a decisive step in developing his interest in cognitive development.
Throughout his academic career, he held positions at various universities and founded the "Centre International d’Épistémologie Génétique" in Geneva, making a decisive contribution to defining this field of research.
Piaget is best known for his stage theory of intelligence development, which has had a significant influence on psychological and educational studies of childhood.
This conference aims to explore the clinical interview method, a central methodological tool in Piagetian research, aimed at exploring children's thought structures and the ways in which children formulate interpretative hypotheses about the world.

Elena Bortolotti's research focuses on issues relating to the relationship between disability and the educational and environmental context. This thematic framework encompasses studies and research conducted by analyzing educational/training needs and technological and methodological support for overcoming physical and social barriers. She is the author of national and international publications on topics related to her research interests.

The "Pedagogical Conversations" series was created to raise awareness of some of the greatest voices of the past and present in order to understand and guide today's educational practices. It offers an opportunity for in-depth study, interdisciplinary dialogue, and potential inspiration for the development of research and dissertations.