National Research Council

The Institute for Educational Technologies (Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche - ITD) (www.itd.cnr.it) is one of the research institutes of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR).

CNR is the major Italian public research body; its mission is to perform research in its own labs both promoting innovation and competitiveness of the industrial system and providing technologies and solutions to emerging public and private needs. It also aims to promote the internationalization of the research system, to advise the Government and other public bodies on strategic themes for the Country and the collectivity, and to contribute to the qualification of human resources.

The Institute for Educational Technologies is the only CNR institute fully dedicated to research in Technology Enhanced Learning. It is located in Genoa and Palermo; currently it has a core staff of 53 units (28 researchers and 16 technicians/ administrative staff), and 9 research fellowships.

The Institute is strongly interdisciplinary with expertise including informatics, mathematics, physics, linguistics, psychology and pedagogy. ITD research is mainly focused on the design and development of innovative learning environments based on cutting-the- edge technologies. Over the past three decades, the Institute has played a leading role in European TEL research. It has participated in flagship European Networks of Excellences in TEL, and has coordinated and taken part in numerous EC projects. The Institute also has a high profile at national level, and continues to cooperate closely with the Italy's Ministry of Education.
ITD research studies cover a wide range of educational issues and contexts, including innovation in formal contexts (school and higher education), teacher training, e-inclusion, Science education, collaborative learning, learning with tangible and mobile devices, cultural heritage education and innovation in professional and vocational training.