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The project
aims at exploring the development of intercultural identities starting
from the analysis of the self sharing processes that happen within
specific educational environments. In particular, we assume that
the digital virtual environments can favour the sharing of meanings
and cultural values and collaboration in the construction of intercultural
artefacts. Recent studies have, in fact, shown that collaborative
virtual environments allow both the redefinition of participants’
identity, and the construction of new cultural artefacts. The ultimate
scope of the project is the identification of new possible didactic
methodologies that can enhance cultural exchanges through practical
activities, respecting the socio-cultural dimension of identity.
With identity we intend: a) the (mediated) dialogical dimension
of positioning, b) identity as role covered into the educational
context (I as a student, as a teacher, as an expert, as a apprentice,
as an evaluator), c) cultural (values, believes, practices, opinions),
d) gender.
Moreover, this project could stimulate research about new and more
complete learning assessment methods Particular reference will be
kept to the formation of e-portfolio. In fact, one of the goals
of this project is to enrich the e-portfolio by including also dimensions
connected to digital identity and cultural awareness as fundamental
moments of learning.
The virtual community that will arise from this project (teachers,
students, researchers) should contribute to the development of didactical
and assessment materials, concerning digital and intercultural identity.
To this project can participate classrooms from any nationality,
from compulsory grades (from kindergarten to high school), to which
will be proposed to build a virtual world aimed at “containing”
and valorising identity aspects. For those who have no knowledge
of the software used an on-line training will be offered.
Starting with a collective brainstorming, both in classrooms and
in the virtual environment, goals and working strategies will be
defined collaratively. Each classroom will put in practice the general
goals – defined as guide-lines - in a “situated”
way, keeping up with its specific needs, interests, constrains and
potentialities.
For example, they could start by reading and discussing in classroom
books about the considered themes (“The invisible cities”,
by Calvino; “The 60 tails” by Buzzati; “Il Milione”
by Marco Polo, choosing the book depending upon students’ skills
and age). Later they could plan and build three-dimensional objects
with a strong cultural value. For example, objects addressed to
them selves as adults and/or to their friends as adults – as
gifts; or objects representing in a meaningful way their own or
some else social, cultural, religious, family values. At the moment
the following classrooms are involved:
- two classrooms from Bari (Italy) – medium expertise with
technology - II and IV grade.
They already had brainstorming in the classroom and a few small
group discussions.
- One kindergarten classroom from Latina (Italy) - technologically
advanced.
Three pieces of software are used:
1. Active Words. Is a three-dimensional world that can be downloaded
from this site:
http://www.activeworlds.com/edu/awedu_download.asp
The virtual
world of Icity is already running (select Show -> tabs) and tourists
are welcome to visit it. The University of Bari has purchased 20
citizenships and they will be distributed to the participants to
the project.
Main goal of Icity is to develop a virtual community focused on
building cultural objects related to identity and multicultural
values. Icity is structured along different types of building areas:
- Personal
buildings: each participant can build virtual houses according
to specific needs. These buildings are free and built without
any guideline from the research group.
- Who am I:
this is a space where each student will display material to represent
who they are. These buildings are guided by the research group.
- Who I will
be: this is a space where students will build their expected identity
in the future. These buildings are guided by the research group.
- How the
others see me: this space is devoted to the social construction
of the identity. These buildings are guided by the research group.
2. Synergeia.
Is a web based platform developed by a European research group http://bscl.gmd.de/bscl2/
Synergeia is integrated into Icity and it is meant as a space for
students and teachers where to up-load and down load classroom projects,
proposals, material of any type (photos, websites, documents) and
where to have asynchronous communication. Synergeia is freely accessible
but logins and passwords have to be required to the coordinator
of the project.
3. Knowledge
Forum. Is a web-based forum designed by a Canadian research group
leaded by Scardamalia and Bereiter http://www.knowledgeforum.com/
This virtual space is used by teachers and research to keep a link
between research aims and didactical practices.
Results gathered will allow us to:
1. better understand the processes of intercultural identity construction
and the processes of “repositioning” of personal identity;
2. provide indications about teaching/learning and didactic assessment
keeping up with identity and intercultural matters.
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