Theories and methods of observation in groups: learning to observe and observe oneself

This paper describes a teaching experience from the course ‘Theories and Methods of Observation in Groups’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a historical and epistemological framing of the construct ‘participant observation’, the critical aspects of the relationship between observer, conductor, group and institution are explored. Numerous theoretical insights support the description of the peculiarities of the field experience, the important ‘reworking’ time in the classroom, and the observational grid is proposed as a support tool for the observation. A contribution produced by some of the trainees on their experiences during the course supplements the study.