Dr. Carlo Perrotta
Learning Researcher
Carlo’s main research interests in Futurelab include participatory design, educational futures, game-based learning, creativity and technology- enhanced learning. He is currently investigating how new approaches to assessment can shape innovative pedagogic practices. Through his doctoral thesis he developed a strong understanding of computer-supported collaborative learning, networking technologies and web 2.0. He also has experience of designing and evaluating participatory activities with adults and young people. Carlo’s background also includes experiences in and knowledge of organisational theory, human resource management, occupational psychology and knowledge management.
Research Interest Areas
- Innovative approaches to assessment
- Educational futures
- Game-based learning
- Participatory research methods
- Socio-cultural theory
- Networked learning
Current Projects
- Future Assessment Scenarios (lead researcher) - a project that explores how technologies can support innovative and valuable assessment practices, by reviewing current developments in e-assessment, and describing possible ways forward in the innovative use of technologies for assessment.
- Creativity in European Schools (researcher) - Funded by the European Commission’s Institute of Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS, Seville), the project aims to analyse the role and relevance of creativity and innovation in education in EU member states.
Previous projects
- Beyond Current Horizons 2009/2010 (researcher): worked on a strand that built on the main BCH findings to develop a rationale for maintaining Futures expertise in the education sector.
- S4PL (Space for Personalised Learning) pilot phase 1 (researcher): a project funded by the former DCSF (Department for Children Schools and Families, now DfE – Department for Education) that aimed to support all schools, primary or secondary, new build or remodelled, looking at how to evolve the physical environment in response to creating a more personalised approach to learning.
- Greater Expectations (researcher): a project that aimed to develop an online social network (www.infocow.org.uk) to encourage young people to build knowledge and share information about personal development, employment, rights and entitlements.
- Delivery of Workshops to support schools, local authorities and other stakeholders develop more transformative approaches to learning space design through various capital build programme.
Previous Posts
- Feb 06 to Apr 08: Bursary work in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath: coordinating and facilitating learning activities and coursework assessment in various taught units:
- ‘Learning Sciences’ (final year Psychology undergraduates).
- ‘Interacting with Technology’ (final year Psychology undergraduates).
- ‘Communication, Interaction and Tasks’ (MSc in Human Communication and Computing)
- Jan 03 to Oct 04: E-learning Officer at Obiettivo Psicologia SRL - E-Learning and Training (Rome, Italy): designing and delivering e-learning projects based on the LMS Moodle; preparing training materials, organising blended learning learning activities (e.g. traditional lectures integrated by wiki-based collaborative case studies).
- Sep 01 to Nov 02: Junior Consultant at Iri Management HR Consultancy (Rome, Italy): designing and delivering training projects about organisational behaviour and learning. The projects were aimed at blue chip Italian companies like Alitalia (National Airline), Finmeccanica (industrial Hi-Tech), Alenia (Aerospace).
Peer reviewed publications
Perrotta, C. (2006). Learning to be a psychologist: the construction of identity in an online forum. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 22 (6), 456-466
Other publications
- Banaji, S., Cranmer, S, Perrotta, C. (forthcoming). Experts' perspectives on Creativity and Innovation – JRC EU – IPTS (Seville).
- Perrotta, C., Hague, C. & Williamson, B. (2010). Maintaining Futures Expertise. A BCH (Beyond Current Horizons) Report.
Presentations and Conferences
- Future Jobs – Where are the Careers of the Future? Keynote at the South West STEM Conference, April 2010.
- Transformative learning spaces. The challenges, the opportunities and the unrealistic expectations of ‘transformative’ design. Futurelab Research Insights Day, April 2010.
- The role of identity in the pedagogy of networked learning: a research proposal. The VDS on Networked Learning (e-learning 2.0) Klitgaarden, Skagen, Denmark November 13th - 15th, 2007
- The role of discourse in an online community of practice. Paper accepted at the EARLI (European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction) international conference (Budapest, August/September 2007).
- Identity work as an aspect of learning. Paper accepted at the JURE (Junior Researchers of Earli) pre-conference (Budapest, August 2007).
- Identity: an unconventional take on CSCL, an empirical study. CALRG (Computers and Learning Research Group) 28th Annual Conference. The Open University.
- Doctoral Consortium, ICLS 2006 (International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, US). A funded event limited to 15 participants. Title of the accepted proposal: Discourse and Identity in a virtual community of professionals.
Awards
Awarded the University of Bath research studentship for the years 2004-2008.
Professional bodies
Since 2005,Carlo has been a member of EARLI (European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction) and the Learning and Instruction with Computers SIG (Special Interest Group).
carlo [dot] perrotta [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8220
Skype: carlo.perrotta1