This paper investigates the relationships among logic languages, software reusability and softwar... more This paper investigates the relationships among logic languages, software reusability and software portability, with the perspective that if these three, almost orthogonal topics become synergistic, they will have an extremely positive impact on the software development process. More speci® cally, the discussion aims to demonstrate both that logic programs are more reusable and portable, even in extreme situations, and that, however, some problems still limit the e ective application of such reusable and portable logic paradigm. After a ...
We analyze defects in quasicrystals by simulating their generation during growth, and by studying... more We analyze defects in quasicrystals by simulating their generation during growth, and by studying their dynamics during relaxation at finite temperature. In a first simulation, based on a Eden-type growth algorithm of a Penrose Tiling, we observe defects similar to vacancies which do not destroy quasi-long-range order. In a second simulation, a molecular dynamics based on an atomistic model, we find that phason relaxation occurs only in presence of vacancies.
Technical and vocational education and training, Sep 9, 2016
Introducing competence-based education in a school, which has traditionally been based on the kno... more Introducing competence-based education in a school, which has traditionally been based on the knowledge transmission paradigm, is a difficult task. National governments play an important role in pushing and facilitating such transition, and they are requested to do so by the European Parliament recommendation about the provision of ‘key competences for all’ as part of lifelong learning strategies. However, the government’s indications are not always clear and effective. This chapter examines the case of Italy, where important contradictions can be spotted. The chapter briefly recounts the evolution of the Italian school system over the last two decades, examining in detail how the notion of competence has been formally introduced in the Italian schools and, at the same time, avoided and delayed. It presents the current organisation of the Italian school system and the hurdles and ambiguities which make it difficult to achieve a widespread adoption of competence-based educational strategies. The impact of school evaluation on the introduction of competence-based education is also presented. Special attention is given to vocational education and training, but also the state of nonvocational instruction in Italy is discussed. The last section presents some efforts aimed at facilitating the introduction of teaching by competence in high schools.
Proceedings of the 6th Computer Science Education Research Conference, 2017
The competence-based approach to education has been found to be effective for teaching. Introduce... more The competence-based approach to education has been found to be effective for teaching. Introduced in Italian secondary schools in 2010 by the Ministry for Education, it has hardly had a real adoption. The paper illustrates the first part of a study which investigates how education in Italian secondary schools could be made more competence-based. The goal is to find effective ways to support the adoption of the competence-based approach in the Italian secondary schools. The study focuses on the computer science teachers, who often use the student projects. The paper describes the portion of the study which investigates if the project-based learning method helps to inductively embrace the competence-based approach. We interviewed a sample of computer science teachers, in order to understand how well they know the competence-based approach. Then we designed and realized an action-research course for teachers, in order to observe them implementing the project-based learning method. The preliminary results confirm a weak commitment of the teachers to the competence-based approach and suggest that the project-based learning method can drive towards the competence-based approach, provided the projects are carefully designed and subsequently managed.
Software development costs must IJle reduced while software quality and sophistication are always... more Software development costs must IJle reduced while software quality and sophistication are always b,eing increased. Software reuse may solve some of these problems. Unfortunately applying a reuse policy is not a straightforward operation: a multimedial distributed software entities library may help a reuse approach to software clevelopment, however the major role is played by managerial decision that, to make the application of the telematics application effective, must set up appropriate corporate policies. This paper survey this problem evidencing risks and outlining potentials for solutions, even though a clear approach is far from being set up.
This paper investigates the relationships among logic languages, software reusability and softwar... more This paper investigates the relationships among logic languages, software reusability and software portability, with the perspective that if these three, almost orthogonal topics become synergistic, they will have an extremely positive impact on the software development process. More speci® cally, the discussion aims to demonstrate both that logic programs are more reusable and portable, even in extreme situations, and that, however, some problems still limit the e ective application of such reusable and portable logic paradigm. After a ...
We analyze defects in quasicrystals by simulating their generation during growth, and by studying... more We analyze defects in quasicrystals by simulating their generation during growth, and by studying their dynamics during relaxation at finite temperature. In a first simulation, based on a Eden-type growth algorithm of a Penrose Tiling, we observe defects similar to vacancies which do not destroy quasi-long-range order. In a second simulation, a molecular dynamics based on an atomistic model, we find that phason relaxation occurs only in presence of vacancies.
Technical and vocational education and training, Sep 9, 2016
Introducing competence-based education in a school, which has traditionally been based on the kno... more Introducing competence-based education in a school, which has traditionally been based on the knowledge transmission paradigm, is a difficult task. National governments play an important role in pushing and facilitating such transition, and they are requested to do so by the European Parliament recommendation about the provision of ‘key competences for all’ as part of lifelong learning strategies. However, the government’s indications are not always clear and effective. This chapter examines the case of Italy, where important contradictions can be spotted. The chapter briefly recounts the evolution of the Italian school system over the last two decades, examining in detail how the notion of competence has been formally introduced in the Italian schools and, at the same time, avoided and delayed. It presents the current organisation of the Italian school system and the hurdles and ambiguities which make it difficult to achieve a widespread adoption of competence-based educational strategies. The impact of school evaluation on the introduction of competence-based education is also presented. Special attention is given to vocational education and training, but also the state of nonvocational instruction in Italy is discussed. The last section presents some efforts aimed at facilitating the introduction of teaching by competence in high schools.
Proceedings of the 6th Computer Science Education Research Conference, 2017
The competence-based approach to education has been found to be effective for teaching. Introduce... more The competence-based approach to education has been found to be effective for teaching. Introduced in Italian secondary schools in 2010 by the Ministry for Education, it has hardly had a real adoption. The paper illustrates the first part of a study which investigates how education in Italian secondary schools could be made more competence-based. The goal is to find effective ways to support the adoption of the competence-based approach in the Italian secondary schools. The study focuses on the computer science teachers, who often use the student projects. The paper describes the portion of the study which investigates if the project-based learning method helps to inductively embrace the competence-based approach. We interviewed a sample of computer science teachers, in order to understand how well they know the competence-based approach. Then we designed and realized an action-research course for teachers, in order to observe them implementing the project-based learning method. The preliminary results confirm a weak commitment of the teachers to the competence-based approach and suggest that the project-based learning method can drive towards the competence-based approach, provided the projects are carefully designed and subsequently managed.
Software development costs must IJle reduced while software quality and sophistication are always... more Software development costs must IJle reduced while software quality and sophistication are always b,eing increased. Software reuse may solve some of these problems. Unfortunately applying a reuse policy is not a straightforward operation: a multimedial distributed software entities library may help a reuse approach to software clevelopment, however the major role is played by managerial decision that, to make the application of the telematics application effective, must set up appropriate corporate policies. This paper survey this problem evidencing risks and outlining potentials for solutions, even though a clear approach is far from being set up.
L'Informatica è una disciplina che viene insegnata ormai da anni ea diversi livelli; con la diffu... more L'Informatica è una disciplina che viene insegnata ormai da anni ea diversi livelli; con la diffusione di applicazioni di uso comune, la platea di coloro che si avvicinano all'apprendimento della materia si articola in diverse categorie. Qui si esamina il caso di chi studia informatica, anche se non è specialista di informatica, né intende diventarlo. Sono stati individuati tre gruppi distinti: i professionisti attivi in settori diversi dall'informatica; gli studenti che scelgono indirizzi non specificamente orientati all'informatica; infine, limitatamente alla situazione italiana, i docenti di altre materie che insegnano informatica.
To enable a more effective process of learning and teaching, the pedagogic research and many educ... more To enable a more effective process of learning and teaching, the pedagogic research and many educational institutions suggest an approach by competence. This approach is not yet widespread in the classes of Computer Science. This paper describes a study on Computer Science competences in Italian secondary schools. The study is the first step of an ongoing research project, whose goal is to develop an environment for the support of teaching by competences. To this end, a survey was run to gather data about the adoption of the competence approach in Italian secondary schools, among Computer Science teachers of 11 to 13 grade classes. The survey results are illustrated in the paper, along with the work-plan for developing the further steps of the research.
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