On October 16, Chapman Italian Studies students and faculty engaged in a special workshop underscoring the transformative power of technology in language education and literature, while calling for critical engagement with its limitations. The workshop – a collaboration between the Ferrucci Institute, the Italian Studies Program, and the Istituto di Cultura Italiana of Los Angeles – brought together prominent scholars from top US and European universities to discuss pressing challenges and opportunities.
The panel, moderated by Professor Sara Mattavelli, explored the intersection of technology and education, focusing on the humanizing potential of digital tools in learning. Dr. Tania Convertini (Dartmouth College) highlighted the legacy of Italian educator Alberto Manzi, who demonstrated how technology, when guided by values, could democratize access to education. Dr. Emanuela Patti (University of Edinburgh) discussed the digital turn in Italian literary production, emphasizing the shift towards e-books, audiobooks, and self-publishing, as well as the creation of new hybrid genres. Dr. Enza Antenos (Montclair State University) addressed the integration of generative AI in Italian language classrooms, which enhanced learning through personalized content but also presented challenges like cultural bias and inaccuracies.
