Advancements in technologies and methodologies for education
Motivation of the Track:
Education is rapidly evolving, under the push of both social and technological changes. In fact, like many important aspects of our lives, also education is continuously being challenged and transformed by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Many courses are nowadays organized either completely online, or with much multimedia content available online, possibly also on public platforms. The growing presence of MOOCs and other online educational platforms, has provoked many effects also on traditional courses, which more and more face a growing expectation of innovations by their students. Also the “feral” diffusion of online social networks among students is rapidly altering the paradigm of collaboration beyond the traditional organization of classroom lessons, exams and home activities.
On the other hand, Information and Communication Technologies are built on new digital skills and new ways of thinking, which are often missed by many students and citizens at large. In fact, education systems should adapt not only for benefitting from new ICT developments, but also for forging the new architects of the digital world. Unfortunately, it is still widespread the misconception that learning to use digital media (i.e., digital literacy) is enough. Informatics, as a scientific discipline, requires instead the knowledge of: algorithms; concepts of performance and complexity; data structures; concurrency, parallelism, and distribution; formal languages; abstractions.
The track targets researchers, doctoral students, people from educational institutions and from the multifaceted world of education in general. Papers on the various aspects of technological innovations, new collaborative platforms, educational methodologies and tools, on the field experimentations and experiences are welcomed. Of particular interest are studies related to tools and methodologies for the education to problem solving, coding, and other aspects of the so-called Computational Thinking. The track also welcomes work in progress and position papers.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Online learning environments and communities
- Massive open online courses
- New educational methodologies
- Advancements of the concept of Flipped Classroom, through innovative technologies
- Use (and abuse) of online social networks in educational contexts
- Educational data mining
- Experimental approaches to the education to problem solving
- Teaching of basic Computational Thinking concepts
- Introduction to coding for kids and other newbies
- Introduction to Computer Science and programming
Co-chairs:
Monica Mordonini, Università di Parma, IT
Michele Tomaiuolo, Università di Parma, IT
Technical Program Committee:
- Adorni Giovanni (Università di Genova, IT)
- Angiani Giulio (Università di Parma, IT)
- Cagnoni Stefano (Università di Parma, IT)
- Ferrari Alberto (Università di Parma, IT)
- Poggi Agostino (Università di Parma, IT)
- Rossi Gianfranco (Università di Parma, IT)
- Salvatori Elena (Università di Pisa, IT)
- Solitro Ugo (Università di Verona, IT)
- Villani Marco (Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, IT)
- Viroli Mirko (Università di Bologna, IT)
