Teaching code

4S007327

Teacher

Mirko Tagliaferri

Coordinator

Mirko Tagliaferri

Credits

3

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

INF/01 - INFORMATICS

Period

Sem. 2A, Sem. 2B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning outcomes

Workshop on IT and multi-media
The workshop aims to provide students with an updated, rigorous and analytical framework on the professional applications of information technology and multimedia in contemporary society, with a specific focus on education and teaching, taking into account both the recent evolution of Instructional Design techniques, both of the progressive affirmation of e-learning, of the diffusion of the LIM (Multimedia Interactive Whiteboard) and of m-learning (mobile-learning). Therefore, at the end of the workshop, students must be able to list and describe on a regular basis the various information and multimedia technologies to support teaching, through the adoption of scientific terminology and the constant reference to examples, case studies and best practices (national and international), all in the perspective of communication within the job environment.

Program

The course's aim is to explore the fundamental theoretical aspects of computer science, of artificial intelligence, and of recent virtual reality technologies. Moreover, the students will be taught how to optimize the use of multimedia technologies to enhance their teaching abilities. The approach followed in the course will adapt such themes in order to make them suitable for analysis to student that come from the humanities, adopting, thus, techniques and interpretation models adequate to such students.

Specifically, the course is divided into 3 modules of 12 hours each. Each module will focus on a specific theme which is particularly interesting for an individual with a background in the humanities. Each module will have the aim of providing to the students the right tools that allow them to practically implement their previous knowledge to the topics of computer science and artificial intelligence.
Given this fact, the modules will have both an ordinary lecture part (where the students will acquire the terminology and conceptual framework typical of the theme under analysis) and a second part focused on active learning and participation (through the use of discussion groups and/or presentations by the students themselves).

The specific themes will be:

Module 1. Computing Machines and Algorithms:

The first module will be focused on the theme of Turing Machine. During the lectures, the students will understand what a Turing Machine is and how they can contribute to a better understanding of the concepts of algorithm and intelligence. The active learning phase will focus on the concept of intelligence and how different conceptions of the term can be provided.

Module 2. Ethics and Artificial Intelligence.

The second module will focus on the theme of Artificial Intelligence (AI). During the lectures, the students will understand what AI is and what role does it play in contemporary times. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ethical problems typical of AI and on possible solutions to those problems. The active learning phase will focus on the concept of autonomy in AI.

Module 3. Social Robotics and Virtual Reality.

The third and final module will focus on the topic of Social Robotics and on the concept of Virtual Reality. During the lectures, the students will learn what the possible social applications of robotics are and on the moral problems that some of those uses can generate; moreover, the module will cover reflections on the wide use of virtual reality in contemporary societies. The active learning phase will focus on the topics chosen by the students.

Examination Methods

The students will be evaluated through two distinct performances, which will equaly contribute to the final grade. The first evaluation element will be a short paper written by the student on one of the topics of the lectures. The paper has to be sent to the professor not later than 7 days prior to the examination day and the scoring of such paper will contribute 50% to the final grade. The second evaluation element will be a 20 minutes presentation (followed by 5/10 minutes of Q&A) on a topic chosen by the student. The performance during the presentation, which will be judged both on the contents and on the way those contents were delivered to the listener, will contribute to the other 50% of the final grade.