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Sboykins Country Case Study-3
Sboykins Country Case Study-3
Interview Report
Shara Boykins
Boykins Interview Report 2
Introduction
Technology integration in the classroom has become the new norm in the 21st century all over the
world. Nonetheless, not all educators receive sufficient training on how to utilize the technology
tools in the classroom. One of the common issues in Italy is the growing cultural heterogeneity
in society and in the classroom (Moraova, 2016). Italy has several research studies on the
implementation of technology into classrooms and to address issues pertaining to it. Technology
in Italy classrooms has not only shown some positive and negative influences but also display
imitative that will enhance the Italian educational system. The purpose of this report was to
analyze and seek out to Italian educators to identify what makes the Italian educational system
unique, what technology is being integrated into classrooms and if they participate in global
Interview Questions
1. What technology do you have access to and how do you use it?
Rationale: This question is instrumental in understanding what types of technology tools are used
Italian educator.
Rationale: This question is instrumental in understanding if there are training opportunities for
4. How do you think technology can enhance student learning in your classroom?
Rationale: This question is instrumental in determining the motivation behind the importance of
Rationale: This question is instrumental in identifying positive attributes or key challenges that
Rationale: This question is instrumental in gaining knowledge and seeking a global perspective
Follow-Up Questions
2. What is a LIM?
4. What technology do your students have access to and how do they use it throughout the
day?
5. Have you or your students completed any global projects with students from another
Strategy Used
To seek information about Italy educational system, I used e-mail to get connected with
educators in Italy. I initially searched online to find organizations that participate in global
collaboration. I did not know which organization to use so I did a little more research and
came across two organizations. The organizations that I contacted was the Asia-Europe
Foundation and the European Schoolnet. Both organizations specified on their website that
Boykins Interview Report 4
they promote people to people exchange and global collaboration between multiple countries
specifically in Europe. The first email that was sent gave a brief introduction as to who I was
and also attached was a word document with all the interview questions that I wanted
answered to get more familiarity with the Italian school system. While waiting for responses
from the two organizations, I also attempted to research some online interviews that may
have been conducted with Italian educators, students or administrators. However, I had a
difficult time finding a reliable or current source. As a backup plan I searched online for
information to get a better perspective and knowledge of the overall Italian educational
degree in instructional technology. Currently, the class I am in we are studying about global
to complete this assignment I have to interview a few teachers and administrator in Italy to find
out how technology is used in classrooms in Italy. I would appreciate any help in working
closely with one of your teachers. Any information you can provide would be helpful. If you are
willing to assist me could you answer the attached question by March 14, 2017? Thank you in
advance.
Sincerely,
Shara Boykins
Boykins Interview Report 5
degree in instructional technology. Currently, the class I am in we are studying about global
to complete this assignment I have to interview a few teachers in Italy to find out how
technology is used in the classrooms in Italy. I would appreciate any help in working closely
with one of your teachers. Any information you can provide would be helpful. If you could assist
me it would be good to get your responses by March 13, 2017. I have attached the specific
Sincerely,
Shara Boykins
source/Agency
February 18,2017 Emailed the European No Response
Schoolnet
February 22,2017 Emailed the Asia- Europe Response form Angie TOH-
school teachers.
Best regards
Angie
the professor
March 2, 2017 Cristina Simeoni- replied to
Cristina Simeon- She is a member of the Asia-Europe classroom net. She is currently a
secondary English teacher. She is also in charge of the international projects at the school
between Asia and Europe. This organization works towards allowing opportunities such
European School net- Is an organization designed to support schools in the effective use
of the ICT and to enhance the overall quality of learning in Europe. It promotes global
throughout Europe.
Upon completing an interview with an Italian teacher, Cristina Simeoni provided quality
technology access, teacher training and the framework for Italian schools. Cristina expressed that
the Italian school system is unique and different from other countries based upon Less
importance to the study of foreign languages, school calendar (school and holiday periods,
terms), no canteen, no optional subjects, end of secondary school at around 18, subjects present
in the state exam ( personal communication, March 2, 2017). In addition the Italian school
system is comprised of Scoular Materna (Nursery school), Scuola Primaria (Primary School),
Boykins Interview Report 8
Scuola Media (Middle School) and Scuola Superirore (high school). There are different types of
Italian high schools; Classical, Scientific, Fine Arts, teacher training, Artistic, technical institutes
and professional institute high school. Currently in the Italian school system they value and
promotes technology in the classroom. Schools in Italy have already integrated technology into
the classroom before many schools in other countries has. From Cristinas perspective,
technology in the classroom has been viewed to motivate students, make them active, creative,
interactive and enhance different learning skills. Technology in the classroom will better
students use of English, especially writing skills, overcome the walls of the classroom in an
To get a further understanding of what kind of technology tool that are used and how they
are used in Italian classroom Cristina highlighted the educational approaches that are used.
Educators use the ICT lab, LIM, and smartphones when the ICT lab is not available. I wanted to
learn more about the technology tools that are used in Italian classroom. Cristina mentioned that
she use the technology tools for international projects, video presentations, Erasmus plus,
WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups, PowerPoint, and for research. The ICT stands for
Information Communication Technology. The ICT can be used to access social media, the
internet, and other media of communication. The LIM is an interactive board with internet
connection which is similar to an interactive smartboard. In Cristina school they have two ICT
labs which students can utilize and which is where lessons are held. The students in Italy use
smartphones for learning when the ICT labs are not free because the school have readily WI-FI.
An effective way that the ICT is used for is international projects. Cristina school has taken part
in Comenius projects since 1998, and AEC since 2005. The schools are currently correlating
global collaboration with European projects such as Erasmus plus K1 and K2. In this interview
Boykins Interview Report 9
the question was asked about global projects and the interviewee stated that she and her students
have done global projects with all European countries and many Asian countries. They are
currently working with Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Denmark, India, Malaysia, Hong
One of the common concerns in Italy school system is the lack of training for educators and
being properly trained on how to utilize technology. When asked have you received professional
development training on technology integration in the classroom Cristina mentions In the past I
was taught the alphabet of ICT then I went on my own learning from the others every time I had
the opportunity (Personal communication, March 2, 2017). This statement support findings of
research on educational technology in Italy because this is a common concern for educators in
Italy. In the scholarly journal article Italian school educators that teach Italian students English
did not receive initial training in order to successfully to teach the foreign language (Faez, 2017).
These findings are correlated because the educators recognize that more training is needed in
order to adequately be prepared to teach with the readily technology tools. I personally think that
learning more about Italian school districts and how they plan to implement more technology
professional training to accommodate and or address students learning needs and teaching
strategies.
Conclusion
While Italy is more technologically advanced in their school systems there are still a few pivotal
concerns that need to be addressed or highlighted. Italy have several organizations and resources
that play a critical role in the overall infrastructure of their educational system. Italy has more
experience with utilizing information technology tools but still have similar issues within their
Boykins Interview Report 10
educational systems like many other countries around the globe. Having several research studies
in action to identify any barriers or hindrances can help educators, administrators and policy
makers can help enhance the Italian educational system. Even though, many schools in Italy have
sufficient technology in the schools, the technology is constantly changing and so should reflect
the growth in the technology tools are accessible. With so many technology training models and
listed ramifications the Italian educational system can be used as a model for other school
References
Faez, F. (2011). English Education In Italy: Perceptions and Professors of E. Canadian and
international education, 40(3), 1-15. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
Italian School Admin, (2015). School System in Italy. Retrieved February 27, 2017 from
www.lifeinitaly.com/moving/school-system.asp