The key topic of my current research and teaching activity is digital and media literacy, i.e., how to help young people (but not only young ones) to achieve a safe, critical, legal, ethical and creative use of digital technologies and the media. This aim is pursued in my teaching activities, in research projects and in development field projects.
Here is a list of non-academic development field projects in this domain.
An updated list of resources is available at http://mediaescuola.wordpress.com.
Informal learning
The Movie&Media Labs is a program of digital creativity labs for children and young people (age 6-15) within the Locarno Kids section of the Locarno Film Festival. Every year its program includes over a dozen labs and engages about 200+ childre, for a total of about 900 daily participations. Coordinated by SUPSI-DFA, is includes a collaboration with other Universities of Teacher Education, and provides an experimentation environment for 30+ pre-service teachers.
http://www.momelabs.ch
Media in Piazza is local coordination network which brings together over a dozen local organizations active in digital and media literacy education. It most visible outcome is a 2-day public event for schools and for the general public about digital media education, with a focus on making sense of digital media rather than on risks and prevention, which was in fall 2016 (Lugano), 2017 (Locarno), 2018 (Mendrisio) and 2019 (Lugano).
http://www.mediainpiazza.ch
One-frame Movie was a double 4-day digital media creative lab within the Locarno International Film Festival. Active for 4 years from 2014 to 2017, it worked as an experimental lab where we could try out new approaches with kids in a playful and exciting environment. Its experiences where then documented and implemented in several schools.
The One-frame Movie guides for teachers are available as SUPSI publications.
Teacher education, school projects and other activities
2019-20
I start coordinating the ongoing Tavolo digitale with FOE, a network of teachers engaged in digital education.
Conferences, parents’ nights, teacher education and class activities brough me to Muralto, Lugano, Varese (high school), Parabiago (4 sessions with high school classes!) and Castel San Pietro (Italy).
2018-19
Insegnare nel mondo digitale (with FOE) continues: 20 teachers engage in a follow-up course where they design and test new digital media activities with their classes.
Second edition of Protagonisti in rete in Parabiago, involving state schools as well and with the support of Yeelen Kamanda.
Conferences, parents’ nights, teacher education and class activities brough me to Como, Seregno, Milano, Lugano, Fidenza and Legnano.
2017-18
Insegnare nel mondo digitale is a double initiative organized with FOE – CdO Opere Educative in Italy: 3 sessions (also in streaming) for a broad audience + a 5-session in-depth course for 20 primary and seconday school teachers.
Protagonisti in rete was the title of a challenging project set up with the Scuola parrocchiale Sant Ambrogio in Parabiago (lower secondary education). After a series of classes on internet awareness (including some technical stuff, safety and social media), pupils were engaged in producing a short video to explain to others what they have learned. In collaboration with film maker Luca Mondellini.
Parents course in Calcinate (Italy): 3 nights with 400+ parents and teacher of school La Traccia.
Conferences, parents’ nights, teacher education and class activities brough me to Albairate, Busto Arsizio, Carate (high schoool), and Milano (Fondazione Grossman).
2016-17
Fai notizia! was a class competition where middle school classes were challenged to storyboard a news service: the winner would be actually produced by the national Television RSI. A collaboration of SUPSI-DFA with RSI played out for three school years from 2015 to 2018.
Parents nights (or afternoons) on digital media education and families at La Zolla (Milano, 2 events), Istituto M. Candia (Seregno), Asilo Umberto I e Margherita (Brugherio), Istituto Guastalla (Monza), IC Magistri Intelvesi (San Fedele D’Intelvi), Scuola media Andrea Mandelli (Milano), Scuola Media Nova Terra (Buccinasco), Istituto Regina Mundi (Milano), Istituto SS Natale (Torino). Overall, I presented and discussed with over 600 parents.
Teacher education sessions (from 2h to 10+ hours with planning and design) with groups of teachers at La Zolla (Milano), Istituto M. Candia (Seregno), Istituto Guastalla (Monza), Scuola media Andrea Mandelli (Milano), Scuola Media Nova Terra (Buccinasco), Istituto Regina Mundi (Milano). Overall, I presented and discussed with about 50 secondary education teachers.
Digital awareness raising with secondary school classes (2h per class) at La Zolla (Milano), Istituto M. Candia (Seregno), Scuola media Andrea Mandelli (Milano), Istituto Regina Mundi (Milano). Overall, I held session in 15 classes.
How do we talk about ourselves on social media? Can we do it better? Digital literacy session (2h) with two classes at Istituto Guastalla (Monza).
Ciak, si cresce! A digital and media literacy project with 3 classes (90 pupils) at scuola media Andrea Mandelli (Milano), making sense of the mannequin challenge format beyond “being funny”.
2015-16
In-service teacher education and class projects with 3 “III media” at Scuola Media Andrea Mandelli (Milano, Italy). After an awareness session with students, we implemented the project Internet, i selfie e noi (40 hours).
Digital competences sessions for two “II media” and second coordinated teacher education session and parents night on digital media education for Scuola media La Zolla (Milano, Italy).
Coordinated teacher education session and parents night on digital media education for Istituto Sacro Cuore (Milano, Italy).
Half-day training in Como on Media Education and Digital Literacy, with Diesse Lombardia.
2014-15
Continuing education courses in primary and secondary schools on Classroom activity design for 3.0 teaching (Progettare la didattica 3.0) with Diesse Lombardia. The course covers instructional design and drills with specific digital tools. 2-half-day courses offered in Bellusco, Vimercate, Desio, and Seregno.
Coordinated teacher education session and parents night on digital media education for Scuola media La Zolla (Milano, Italy).
Digital competences sessions for three “III media” and coordinated teacher education session and parents night on digital media education for Scuola media Andrea Mandelli (Milano, Italy).
Luca Botturi 