Para que serve a didática? Um estudo no âmbito da didática do português

Abstract

In this article, we propose a reflection on the epistemological configuration of Portuguese Didactics, conceived as a set of learning strategies, as a teacher training domain and as an educational research field. In the last years, Portuguese Didactics has been seen as a subsidiary field of linguistic and literary studies, as well as a diffuse field for the application of theoretical knowledge (Alarcão, 2010). Opposing this perspective, we intend to contribute to a definition of Didactics as an autonomous field of knowledge and research, since literature in recent years justifies a discussion about the state of the art of Didactics studies. This reflection will contribute to clarify the role of Didactics in teaching practices, in the production of materials, in professional training and in research. An exploratory study, based on the conceptions of teachers about didactics, will be presented. This study was based on the analysis of nine interviews to Portuguese teachers, who reflected on their professional relationship with Didactic issues. Teacher training programs, conceived as a process of interaction between theories and practices, should be explored as the field the learning community - for reflection and research on Didactics (Nóvoa, 2007).