Fostering Students’ Engagement and learning through Simplex Didactics Approach

Several studies, both nationally and internationally, highlight how student engagement is a strong predictor of academic performance. In the literature, the term “engagement” is described as a multidimensional construct, comprising behavioral, emotional, and cognitive components, which together provide a holistic understanding of the school experience. Given the increasing complexity of educational contexts, this multidimensional nature underscores the need for teachers to adapt their practices to students’ needs and cognitive styles, promoting active participation in the teaching-learning process. In this perspective, the approach of Simplex Didactic becomes particularly relevant. Grounded in a bio-educational vision, it offers an innovative approach to understand and guide the adaptation of complex systems - such as educational ones - to the principles of living systems. Recognized as an effective tool for promoting inclusion, Simplex Didactic may also serve as a valuable strategy to enhance student engagement. Based on these premises, the present study aims to validate the adapted Italian version of the Engagement Questionnaire (Abbasi et al., 2023) to assess engagement levels among future support learning teachers participating in a 30-hour training course on Simplex Didactic. The research is part of a broader investigation designed to explore whether the adoption of simple teaching practices fosters engagement, learning, and school inclusion.