"Addizionario": A New Tool for Learning Between Metacognition and Creativity‪.‬

This paper describes a project aimed at using Addizionario (a hypermedia linguistic laboratory designed at the Institute for Computational Linguistics of National Research Council in Pisa in collaboration with the Department of Computer Sciences of Turin University) to create conceptual maps as a strategy to favour the comprehension of descriptive texts and to improve the personal processing and cross-disciplinary use of information. Metacognitive theory considers learning as the result of the activation of several conscious processes. Furthermore, our project intends to support meaningful learning by means of Addizionario and to investigate the processes involved in motivated learning. Motivation to learn is favoured also by a general strategic attitude towards learning, especially when in learning we consider the intellectual peculiarities of the child. This hypothesis is well illustrated in the concept of "multiple intelligence" of H. Gardner, according to which each person has a preference for a symbolic code and through such a code manages more easily to learn and take interest in disciplines, activities etc. Using Addizionario, we tried, furthermore, to support the development of divergent patterns: in fact, the access and the development of more different symbolic and known universes is anyway an important means of transforming the multiple potentialities of the single child into real abilities, also for creativity and divergent thought. We believe that creative behaviour in childhood is a factor favouring the processes of learning and the psychological well-being of the child.