Development, Learning, and Teaching

The 5th Jean Piaget Conferences will take place from June 25 to 27, 2025, at the University of Geneva. These conferences are organized by the Jean Piaget Center of the University of Geneva in collaboration with the "Idea" laboratory (Instruction, Development, Education, and Learning) and the Science Education Research Group at the University of Geneva.

The theme of this edition addresses crucial issues for the future of our societies, particularly in pedagogy, skill development, and knowledge transmission. As researchers, practitioners, or educators, we are especially attuned to the challenges and opportunities associated with improving educational practices and developing learning methods suited to current needs.

A special focus will be placed on the domain of analogy. Indeed, some invited speakers will explore the theme "Learning and Teaching with Analogies," examining how analogy facilitates the acquisition of new knowledge. As demonstrated by numerous studies, analogy allows learners to connect the known with the new, thereby simplifying the understanding of abstract concepts through concrete situations.

On one hand, analogy is spontaneously employed by learners. They often draw parallels between academic notions and prior knowledge, frequently acquired through daily experiences and without explicit instruction. However, while this prior knowledge is crucial for learning, it can also be limiting. On the other hand, analogy can be intentionally used by educators in school settings to facilitate learning. Various activities based on the principles of analogical reasoning provide pedagogical tools that make new concepts more accessible and address potential limitations tied to prior knowledge.

Thus, it seems relevant for researchers and practitioners to engage with these themes. The objective of this conference, centered on the various facets of education and training, is to delve deeply into several key aspects of the educational process, namely skill development, student learning, and addressing current educational and didactic challenges, while opening up innovative perspectives in teaching and learning.

• Axis 1: Development
• Axis 2: Learning
• Axis 3: Teaching

These three axes can be explored by considering the influence of various environments (family, school, digital, etc.) on the development and learning of children, adolescents, and adults.

Within any of these themes, presentations will offer scientific insights into different areas of development, both typical and atypical, in light of the challenges raised.

In line with previous editions, the participation of young researchers, psychologists, and doctoral candidates is highly encouraged, providing them with an opportunity to present their work and discuss it with peers.

The conference format will be diverse, encompassing a variety of themes and formats (oral and poster presentations, symposia, plenary lectures).

Keynote speakers:

- Martha Alibali, University of Wisconsin

- Hugo Duminil-Copin, University of Geneva (Fields Medal 2022)

- Kostas Kampourakis, University of Geneva

- Jean-Philippe Lachaux, Center in Neurosciences, Lyon

- Andreas Müller, University of Geneva

- Lindsey Richland, University of California

- Emmanuel Sander, University of Geneva

- Andrew Shtulman, Occidental College

- Catherine Thevenot, University of Lausanne

This international conference is aimed at researchers and doctoral candidates as well as professionals (psychologists, ergonomists, medical practitioners, educators, teachers, healthcare providers, speech therapists, psychomotor therapists, etc.) working in the fields of developmental psychology and education.

For more details, to submit a communication, or to register, visit the conference website.