RICERCA ITALIANA     

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE

Università degli Studi di Salerno

Abstract

The project is based on the experiential/inductive approach to learning and knowledge by means of techniques and simulation processes that, in the considered fields, takes a concrete form through scientific virtual experiments, business games, hyper-museums and so on. Not only the simulation has an instrumental and supporting role, but it also contributes, in an innovative and original way, to the constitution and definition of didactic-scientific objects, both in the area of mathematical and human science, even if with different paradigms and devices. The programme is in line with educational processes which are getting more and more importance in today's society and in advanced economies as well, in particular, with reference to Southern Italy. Morevover the Centre of Excellence is positioned in one of strategic key actions for the development of the ICT and Information and Knowledge society as well. The partnership includes many of the most qualified European research Actors in the area as well as some of the main International Hi-Tech Companies, and several qualified local Actors, taking advantage of important initiatives and profitable partnerships, projects and experiences already started both at an International and European level.

Principal Investigator

Saverio SALERNO Università degli Studi di SALERNO

International Relationship

The Centre of Excellence on "Methods and System for learning and knowledge" will set-up a network based on collaborations and experiences, in many cases already started, and will cover different sectors.

Research and Training: University of Salerno, others European Universities, CNR, CRMPA

Hi-Tech and Didactic/Education based firms involved in production and duffusion of didactical/educational material: Siemens, IBM, Microsoft, Fondazione CARISAL.

Users: SME, Pubblic Administration, Citizen, etc.

In particular, the reseach centers and productive firms interested in potential marketing, involved in the Centre of Excellence, has been defined in relation of their competenciets and experiences.

The Department of Engineering of Information and Applied Mathematics (DIIMA. Its main activities aim from one side at favouring organising and didactic experimentation, on the other side at widening research fields in computer science and mathematics areas, as well as at increasing external scientific collaboration with public and territorial corporations, also through the stipulation of agreements. In particular for mathematical areas we list the following subjects: Number Theory and Discreet Mathematics, Differential Equations and Variations Calculus, Geometry and Algebra, Mathematical Logic and Application. The main subjects of Computer Science are: Database and Information Systems, Logical Programming>>>

Research Objectives

Objectives

The objectives of the Centre of Excellence are based on the particularly favourable situation connected with the success of national and EU initiatives as well as the scientific and industrial partnerships, which have already been profitably undertaken. The objectives may be summarised as follows:



1) answer in a timely and efficient way to needs and political and strategic action lines, both on a national and EU level, having particular relevance in the southern Italy framework; specifically, give an answer to the problem of the so-called "shortage" of ICT skills, both on a national and European level, at the same time facing the strong employment demand which is not satisfied in the South of Italy, giving methodological and technological support to an Extraordinary Training Programme in ICT - a possibility which the new Italian Government is studying - and more generally to national (Masterplan - PON/POR, etc.) and European (e-Europe, e-Learning, IST, Socrates, Leonardo, etc.) action lines





2) Allow a stable, organic and structured interdisciplinary aggregation of top Actors, among which several partnerships already exist, as well as the creation of a net of Academic and Industrial partners of an international level. Such a net may thus serve as a national and international reference point helping to form a competence kernel, a critical mass, for dissemination, research>>>