The article presents the educational activities that, since its establishment, the Museum of the School of the University of Macerata has developed with particular attention to university and school students. As a result of a fruitful synthesis of the most recent trends in History of Education, Heritage Education and finally in History Teaching,…

In the summer of 2007, the authors had the opportunity to lead a group of Hofstra University students, pre- and inservice, undergraduate and graduate, elementary and art teachers, to Sorrento, Italy, for interdisciplinary courses in both literacy and art education. The culminating project, a shadow theater play and performance, brought together…

The introduction of foreign languages into the first three-year cycle of primary school has spurred the need for qualified teachers, and is one of the main discussion points among experts in foreign language teaching. Most of the contemporary studies report that there is a global gap between the supply of qualified teachers of foreign languages to…

This paper presents the rationale, development and application of "Unplugged', a new school programme for the prevention of substance abuse, which is based on the comprehensive social influence approach (CSI). The programme was developed, implemented and evaluated by a cross-disciplinary group of experts in the frame of a multi-centre study…

The formal structures which have been established to support the process of educational change in Italy are explained. A series of laws passed since 1973 created a new model of school and gave teachers a right and duty to inservice training. The Regional Institutes for Educational Research, Experimentation and In-Service Training are described in…

Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) methodologies are becoming an important part of University teaching but faculty members have tended to shy away from using them. So, how can they be enticed to use them effectively? What approaches can be used? The purpose of the Xanadu project was to analyse the problems involved and to propose a model for…

Discusses the measures taken by the Italian government to keep foreign language teachers abreast of new developments in their field. (CFM)

Problems and strategies of inservice teacher education in Italy are discussed in the context of fostering educational change. Educational legislation calls for training teachers in active service at national, regional, district, and individual institute and teacher levels. Strategies for transition to this new approach to training are proposed.…

Describes an Italian project designed to prepare elementary teachers to teach science by helping them understand basic physics concepts and realize the importance of considering students' conceptions in the teaching process. A practicum-based strategy, requiring that teachers carry out experimental activities designed for students is recommended.…

A discussion is presented on the development and implementation of two inservice training programs for science teachers which were based on a "constructivist perspective" which is based on the belief that knowledge (in an individual) is always a personal construction. Within this framework, the programs involved the development of both…

Discusses elementary students' preconceptions in science education, describing a research group for chemistry and integrated science education at the University of Pisa, Italy. The article indicates a need for inservice teacher training, proposing a teaching model for teacher educators which addresses student preconceptions and introduction of…

Considers reflective practice from the point of view of the sociology of education, drawing attention to reflexivity as a social phenomenon, discussing reflective practice as a methodological problem and as a research instrument, and indicating some of the areas where research on teachers and their preservice and inservice training in Italy can be…

Considers the roles and the process that characterize the design of online distance education courses, especially when the online tutors are not real experts in the course content domain. Describes an Italian pilot project that studies the use of Information and and Communication Technologies (ICT) in in-service teacher training. (Author/LRW)

Purpose: An e-portfolio is a useful tool to increase reflection and awareness in teachers and students. However, benefits of e-portfolio use are weakened by difficulties due to the lack of motivation, the heavy weight of creation and revision of the e-portfolios, the rigid tool structure. The paper aims to answer these emerging issues, showing how…

This paper describes the the Reggio Emilia Approach and recommends adopting the curriculum for teaching science in U.S. schools. The underlying philosophy of this approach is its uniqueness within the constructivist paradigm and its potential as an exemplary early childhood program that can be adapted to teach young children science. The educators…