The Institute for Educational Technologies (ITD) is a research Institute of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) founded in 1970. It has two branches in Genova and Palermo.
The institute is devoted to the study of educational innovation brought about through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
The main research activities concern:
- educationally innovative learning environments centred on the design, development and testing of new forms of learning environments that integrate technology as an everyday tool;
- integrating technology enhanced learning into organizations related to the design of new structural and organizational models to exploit the potential benefits of technology enhanced learning;
- new skills for the knowledge society focuses on the skills which are necessary to live in the knowledge society, where an increasing body of knowledge is rapidly produced and distributed all over the world;
The Palermo department of ITD is a research unit with more than 20 researchers. Its main research activities are:
- “educationally innovative learning environments”-centred on design, development&testing of new forms of learning environments;
- “integrating technology enhanced learning into organizations”-related to design of new structural&organizational models to exploit potential benefits of technology enhanced learning;
- “new skills for the knowledge society”focused on necessary skills to live in the knowledge society.
The Palermo department of ITDhas gained Mobile Learning Excellence GOLD Award for the Education category&was recognized “as top practitioners on the leading edge of mobile learning technology and innovation”. Award was given by ’Institute of simulation&training at the University of Central Florida”at mLearn 2009–Orlando, Florida-USA.
Palermo is the capital of autonomous region of Sicily&Province of Palermo. It’s urban area population (Eurostat) is 855.285 inhabitants, while its metropolitan area is the 5th most populated in Italy with 1.2 million people. It has an economy based on tourism, services, commerce, ship, building, trade and agriculture. The city, however, has high unemployment levels. Unemployment rate in 2011 was: 46% for young people aged from 15 to 24 years, 24.43% for adults aged from 25 to 34 years, 9.55% for adults over 35 years&. Palermo has the highest school dropout rate: primary school-1, 01%while national average is 0, 55%, secondary school-10. 56%, national average-8. 6%, high school-16. 52%, national average -15%.
Risk of poverty and social exclusion for young people is a major issue and our institute researches means for their socio-professional integration. As 44%opt for self-employment, in last few years ITD engaged in research activities aimed to measure entrepreneurship intentions&to develop entrepreneurship mindset in students&young adults. Thus, National Research Council of Italy (CNR) has signed an agreement with Palermo Municipality to provide orientation, counseling services&promote entrepreneurship culture in young adults.
For more information www.itd.cnr.it
