Abstract:

The diffusion of ICT in schools raises a widespread need for training. Such a request is constantly being urged by those who work daily in schools and it regards not only school staff, but also managers and trainers. In answer to this need, a partnership between school administration and academic research has accomplished a complex action on the school system in Lombardy. The major component of this action is the second-level training project (training of trainers) named “Fortutor Lombardia”. Fortutor Lombardia was aimed to establish an appropriate figure of tutor for e-learning (e-tutor) in schools, giving support and granting professional qualification. In the long run, the project was seen as a step toward the goal of providing trained e-tutors to each of the 1,300 schools in the region Lombardia.
The project was carried out over a period of time ranging from 2006 to 2010. A blended e-learning course in three modules (basic, intermediate, expert), lasting about six months, was addressed in three different editions to 450 e-tutors belonging to teaching and supporting staff.
Course methodology was firmly built on a constructivist perspective. However, as ICT scenario is quickly evolving, contents were continuously updated according to the state of the art.
In more detail, these skills were developed:
• familiarity with the use of ITC and CMC in education
• knowledge of new media culture and new Web 2.0 environments
• training in order to manage online interaction and cooperative work
• studying of moderation techniques in e-learning environment.
The course involved the assessment of an individual paper at the end of each of the three modules. Constant monitoring of online activities and assessment of outcomes in the short term were granted. A research on the long-term professional development of trainees-trainers is currently being launched.
Partners agree that future developments of the project should involve more school managers and be more targeted towards new recruited teachers.
Partners agree that the future development of the project should involve more school managers and it should be mainly targeted towards new recruited teachers.

Keywords:

training, school, teachers, support staff, e-learning, e-tutor, information and communication.