Handbook of Research on Teaching With Virtual Environments and AI

Gianni Panconesi graduated in Pedagogy. He holds a Master in “Methods and Technologies for e-Learning” and one on “Profile and Functions of the Consultant for School Improvement”, then he attended further Qualification Courses like: “Digital Didactics”, “IBSE approach in science education”, “Mobile devices in the classroom”, “Coding in your classroom” and “Learning how to learn and teach in Cyberspace”. He knows and uses the Virtual Worlds since 2007, owning a place in SecondLife and Opensim where hosts several training courses on scripting and on using software like Blender and Photoshop, supporting those who want to better know the Virtual Reality to understand its possible use in teaching and learning. He edited the publication “Handbook of Research on Collaborative Teaching Practice in Virtual Learning Environments” (IGI Global, 2017). He is co-founder of the Association “Esplica - non profit”, cultural and scientific divulgation Laboratory in the Digital Age, addressed to young people at the school and to adults in developing their LifeLongLearning. He has experience as a teacher in high school, has been a teacher in TFA university courses for the qualification of new teachers for Italian schools and has led courses for teachers of various school for the knowledge of Virtual Worlds. He holds a qualification as TPP (Professional Communication Technician), is a journalist enrolled in the Journalists' Order and deals with Media Literacy in a pedagogical-didactic perspective.

Maria Guida is a researcher at INDIRE, a public research institute whose main mission is to sustain the evolution of the Italian educational system through technology-enhanced teachers training, system actions for improvement and innovation. At INDIRE Maria has had an active role in teacher training National Programs (i. e. the mandatory training programs for Newly Qualified Teachers). She collaborated with the University of Florence too, as a tutor for Mathematics and Physics postgraduate students in the TFA, the specialization course for soon-to-be teachers. She has been working for years (2007 onward) in the research “Immersive Education”, which investigates 3D virtual environments and their educational potential. At European level she is involved in STEM education with a focus on the active and student-centered learning, which she has driven for years her research to, because she could identify it, through studies and experiences, as an element of strong contrast to the dropout phenomenon.