An initial assessment of the DIGA project activities in Turin and Milan
Training courses have begun to introduce high school students to STEM subjects and strengthen their digital skills, supporting them in discovering the potential of artificial intelligence. The first activities involved several schools in the area: the Severi Correnti Institute in Milan, the Convitto Nazionale Umberto I and the Amedeo Avogadro Technical Institute in Turin [see the news items Artificial intelligence for guidance and Diga also kicks off in Turin].
Teachers and headteachers confirm that DIGA represents a valuable opportunity to enrich the educational offering of schools with a scientific and technological focus. “Our school has strengthened its science subjects,” explains Gabriella Sonia Conte, headteacher of the IIS Severi Correnti. “When we are offered the opportunity to have external experts and training, we take advantage of it because it represents an element of novelty that stimulates students beyond ordinary teaching. Furthermore, thanks to DIGA, we can compare ourselves with other schools in the area and benefit from the support of universities in real research-action work that helps us improve and broaden our horizons”.
Among the project's objectives is the development of transferable skills and the ability to interpret changes in the world of work.
‘Schools often remain anchored to a didactic approach,’ observes Rosanna Silvaggio, a teacher at Severi Correnti. ‘Instead, these projects, promoted in collaboration with the third sector and universities, help young people to get to know themselves better and discover new interests linked to the skills that are essential in today's globalised world. It is important to strengthen both these skills and familiarity with computational thinking as a key to accessing the working world of the future.’
The programme includes specialist training modules tailored to the needs of the local area, thanks to strong local partnerships, such as that between the technical institute and Liceo Avogadro and the University of Turin.
Marzia Buscemi, IT teacher at the Amedeo Avogadro , highlights in particular the synergy on the themes of sustainability and innovation: ‘The courses focus in particular on user-centred design, artificial intelligence, the IoT and Arduino. We are particularly pleased to be collaborating with a local university.’
The topic of artificial intelligence is also central for the teachers at the Convitto Nazionale Umberto I. ‘We have a great opportunity: to reflect on the relationship between humans and machines and the role of AI in our society,’ concludes Emanuela Musso, a teacher at the Convitto. ‘Thanks to DIGA, the workshop activities allow us to explore not only the professional opportunities offered by technology, but also to address the risks with awareness.’
