(ANS - Verona) - Does school as the place of knowledge still make sense? Can tablets and smartphones take its place? These questions will be the starting point of a conference entitled "I-padagogy (sic)– ‘intelligence in the hands’ in the age of digital learning", sponsored by the Salesian National Centre - Professional Training (Cnos - FAP) and the Apple company, scheduled for 11 April in Verona.

The conference comes at the end of nearly two years of experimenting with the I- pad as a tool in the classroom.  This was an initiative that involved twenty Salesian vocational centres and more than 2,500 students, with very interesting results.

Fr Gianni Filippin, National Director of Cnos - FAP, explained that “this experiment was started because classroom teaching proved not very effective. We used to spend 50% of the time in the laboratory and 50% doing theory in the classroom.  The students experienced what we call ‘intelligence in the hands’. They need to be active agents in their own education. The tablet seems an appropriate instrument to bring about a revolutionary method of teaching."

"There are innovative and enthusiastic teachers who are willing to experiment, but there is always an establishment that opposes change” - said the President of Cnos - FAP, Fr Mario Tonini.  “We are here to show examples of things that are happening abroad, as for example in Copenhagen where there is a centre promoting paperless teaching.  We also want to debate, in a critical and reasoned manner, the future of our young people."

The conference will be opened by Fr Tonini, and the topic will be introduced by Roberto Franchini of the Scientific Committee of  iCnos . Allen Kjaer Andersen, Principal of the Ørestad Gymnasiun in Copenhagen  will illustrate the activities of their centre. There will be three other speakers: Massimo Tosi who will give a talk entitled "Apple Distinguished Educator;"  Alberto Grillai, Director of the San Marco Professional Training Centre; and Maria Grazia Ottaviani, editor of the Wikidisciplina project.

Published 10/04/2014