Community pacts and we4SLE as tools to support the implementation of Smart Learning Ecosystems

This article describes and discusses the conditions under which starting from the Italian school system it would be possible to develop smart learning ecosystems. In particular, we focus on the so-called community pact—an opportunity recently introduced and promoted by the Ministry of Education—and on how dedicated technologies may support it. Starting from the description of the regulatory context and the consultation of teachers/students/territorial stakeholders, we illustrate the needs and motivations that led to the design and development of a web portal, we4SLE, which aims at fostering and facilitating: (a) the development of the identity and the increase of the internal cohesion of the community of reference; (b) the cultural growth of the students, also as future active citizens. Among the objectives of the web portal: provide an overview of the available resources, as well as methods for finding those necessary to implement the various initiatives; highlight the contribution made by the members of the community and give adequate visibility to the path of growth of each individual; support the strengthening of existing relationships in the community and encouraging the establishment of new ones; foster awareness about the community’s state of development through a participatory approach to its evaluation.