The Thematic Conference: "Learning to think in a digital society" was successfully completed with the active participation of 200 teachers from the European countries and other partner countries on eTwinning . The conference was held from 28 to 30 September in Athens with interesting workshops on the subject, by specialized speakers, so as to train participants in the new digital environment that is formed in relation to teaching practice. The conference focused on the cultivation of computational thinking skills for students. Computational thinking represents a universally applicable attitude and a set of skills that citizens have to acquire, as highlighted in the European e-Competence Framework, e-CF.
The European project "eTwinning - the school community in Europe" offers schools the opportunity to collaborate, using ICT tools, in order to gain pedagogical, social and cultural benefits. There are 38 European and other countries involved in eTwinning, forming the largest network of teachers in the history of education, with more than 470,000 people and 179,900 schools. Greece through eTwinning is presented remarkably, as teachers through their schools have achieved many and significant distinctions at European level. There are registered 21,400 Greek teachers (15% of the total) and 11,300 Greek schools (56% of the total). These percentages are much higher (in percentage) of any other European country.
The conference held 24 workshops and was attended by Primary and Secondary Education teachers from all over Europe. On the first day there was a speech from the pedagogical officer from the CSS , Mrs. Gilleran, and the main speaker on the subject was Mr. Michael Bletsas from MIT. Also, greetings from the Minister of Education, Research & Religious Affairs Mr. Kostas Gavroglou were read wishing among other things " success for the Conference and its conclusions to help education".
The main objectives of the thematic conference were to:
- Introduce the application of Computational Thinking in education, and how it can enable students to think in a different way while solving problems, and to analyse everyday issues from a different perspective.
- Prepare teachers to facilitate the use of Computational Thinking in schools and in their eTwinning activities
By returning to their countries, eTwinning teachers have the ability to build projects based on the number of activities they have been presented over this weekend. These activities offer teachers the opportunity to leverage valuable insights into how to shape their classroom acceptance and how to better educate their students by arming them with the skills and abilities needed for computational thinking.
The Thematic European Conference was co-organized by eTwinning Greek National Support Service (NSS) (collaboration of the Ministry of Education and CTI “Diofantus” ) with the European School Net, entitled "Learning to think in a digital society" and details and photographs can be found at http://www.etwinning.gr/tc2017.
eTwinning, with the power of a teachers network using ICT, bridges Europe, helping students to acquire better skills and values, such as cultural consciousness and tolerance in the different, which are pillars in the definition of multicultural society. At the same time, eTwinning promotes the concepts of critical thinking, creativity and innovation.
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PRELIMINARY!
Recording and studying earthquakes in the school
In the first part we will present how it is possible to record earthquakes using the sensor of quake-catcher network of Stanford University, as well as other ICT tools (applications of smartphones). In the second part of the workshop we will investigate several different ways in order to study data from earthquakes (sac programming from IRIS, SeisGram2K, jAmaSeis). Additionally we will present educational scenarios that can be used in the class a) Phet simulation with plate tectonics, b) Simulation of seismic stations around the world (www.qcnexplorer.org).
Workshop code:WS-01 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Maria Eleftheriou (Science Teacher)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): STEM Teachers, Junior High School (13-15), Upper High School (15-18), Vocational Schools (15 - 18)
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): laptop or netbook
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): The participant must have it with her/him
The basics of Communication Protocols
The aim of this workshop is to present a full functional model of a Digital Communication System. The message that must transmitted from the one spot to the other through a physical channel, is a picture. The picture will transformed to a digital sequence of bit, it will be restored to a computer system and after that the sequence of bit will be transmitted to the Receiver. The Decoding phase and the physical representation of the transmitted message are well defined and both of them are presented in our educational scenario . All these will be done with a simple implementation process, using Scratch language and Lego Wedo Collection kit
Workshop code:WS-02 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): George Papadopoulos
Mission to Mars
The aim of the workshop is to introduce teachers in the use of storytelling tools combined with advanced agumentations to design projects related to space exploration. Participants will develop their own STEM projects related to space exploration and they will have the chance to prsent their work through interactive storytelling
Workshop code:WS-03 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Dr. Sofoklis Sotiriou
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): primary and lower high school STEM teachers
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): laptop or netbook
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): participants must have their own devices
ICAROS
The aim of the workshop is to introduce participants to the design and construction of a drone. We will discuss the different paremeters that one has to take into account in order to design a fully operational model of a drone
Workshop code:WS-04 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Dr. George Mavromanolakis
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): STEM teachers, age category 16-18
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): notebook and pen or other equivalent note taking tools or device
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): The participant must have it with her/him
Understanding Nature, studying Science subjects through Programming
The aim of the workshop is to introduce the way that basic concepts of real world like temperature, humidity, sound, light and several others can be perceived by modern digital devices and give useful results after further processing. Various “Internet of Things” platforms will be used in order to demonstrate the necessary scenarios. The cross-curricular approach will be followed, combining concepts of Science and Programming.
Workshop code:WS-05 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): George Kalemis (Science Teacher) and Michalis Vamvakaris (CS Teacher)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): STEM teachers, High and Junior High school teachers
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): notebooks or netbooks
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): The participant must have it with her/him
Vehicles and means of tomorrow's transportation
Automation, in the broadest sense, is everywhere we look. In the future, we will rely more and more on technology to improve health care, transportation and the production of goods. With the use of particular Educational Robotics Activities in Scratch we will be showing how to support Computational Thinking Skills into primary education.
Workshop code:WS-06 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Fotios Fotinakis (CS Teacher) Aris Louvris (CS teacher)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Primary Teachers (6-12)
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Organizer
Hobbits Vs Orcs: Crossing a river with Tolkien heroes
DESCRIPTION: Participants will be given a computational thinking problem based on the problem used by Ernst και Newell in the simulation of computational thinking models on a computer (Ernst & Newell, 1969, quoted in Hayes, 1998, p.343).To work out a solution, our mediator will be an interactive software game, created by Kimon Kontosis and Fotis Kalafatis in 2003.This problem will constitute the basis for an interdisciplinary approach to Mathematics, Science, Information Technology and English Language. Workshop outline:
• There will be a brief introduction to J. R. R. Tolkien and his work.
• Participants will work in groups to solve the following problem:
Seven Hobbits have arrested seven Orcs on the border of Shire. They have to take the captives across the river Brandywine, and bring them to the Bree police station. They are standing on the bank of the river and they have a boat which can only carry two creatures at a time. To ensure a safe passage the number of Hobbits on each side must be bigger or equal to the number of Orcs on the same side, at any time, so that the Orcs cannot escape or kill the Hobbits. How are they supposed to handle the problem so as to cross the river safely?
• The groups will be asked to work out a solution to the problem in a programming language.
• They will also be asked to calculate the appropriate direction the boat must follow so that it navigates across the river vertically to the river bank, despite the current.
• Each group will present the solution they have come up with and there will be time for reflection and discussion.
• In the last stage, the participants will be presented with the original Ernst και Newell problem and the educational reasons why the original problem was adapted for school use will be explained.
Workshop code:WS-07 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Adonopoulos, Adonios (IT Instructor), Kotarinou Panagiota (Mathematics Instructor ), Kouletsi Eirini (Mathematics Instructor ), Pliakou, Maria (Chemistry Instructor), Syriopoulos, Sotirios (Mathematics Instructor), Florou, Paraskevi (English Language Instructor ), Houpi, Maria (Physics Instructor-)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Junior High School and Senior High School Instructors. Subjects : Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, English Language.(13-18)
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): Laptop. They will work in groups of 3-4 members. The maximum number of participating teachers is 24.
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): organizer
THE MOTORWAY PROBLEM
An important challenge for students in the secondary school is to be able to move ‘comfortably’ in different contexts transferring mathematical knowledge during transitions between these contexts. In this workshop we will explore possibilities of knowledge’s transfer during transitions between micro-contexts —as they are determined by digital or tangible material— of mathematical practices.
Focusing on the idea of shorter path - “Motorway problem” - the participants will involve in horizontal and vertical mathematization through realistic situations and algebraic and geometrical representations. The tools that will be used for modeling is the software of dynamic geometry- Geometer's Sketchpad – along with an arrangement of Plexiglas and pins. The didactical performance is based on the shape: “Following students’ intentions and expectations.”
Workshop outline:
Participants will work in groups to solve the following problem:
The determination of the shorter path among 4 cities while moving from realistic situations to algebraic and geometrical representations and vice versa.
• Initially, the groups will be asked to work out a solution to the problem in paper and pencil
• After, they will discuss the solution by means of an arrangement consisting of two flat Plexiglas surfaces linked with pins, where Nature determines the least distance among 4 paths
• Subsequently, they will have to work out a solution to the problem in a dynamic Geometry software, the Geometer’s Sketchpad, where the realistic situation is modeled.
• Then they will resort to the realistic arrangement to verify the solution to the problem and vice versa.
• Each group will present the solution they have come up with and there will be time for reflection and discussion.
The whole process is a continuous coming and going between the realistic arrangement and the virtual modeling. It will result to a computational along with algebraic, geometrical and analytical approach to the problem.
Workshop code:WS-08 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 11:30 – 13:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Vasilis Tsitsos (Mathematics Instructor), Kouletsi Eirini(Mathematics Instructor)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Junior High School and Senior High School Instructors. Subjects : Mathematics, Science, Computational Thinking, Algebraic Thinking, Geometrical Thinking, English Language.(13-18)
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): They will work in groups of 2-3. Maximum number of participants 20.
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): organizer
Playing with the shadows: The Tower of Brahma
Participants will be given a well known computational thinking problem “The Tower of Hanoi” or “The Tower of Brahma” (Ernst & Newell, 1969, quoted in Hayes, 1998, p.343). This problem will constitute the basis for an interdisciplinary approach to Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, Philosophy, Music and Shadow Theater.
Workshop outline: Participants will work in groups to solve the problem ‘‘Tower of Hanoi’’ which is based on an old Indian legend. According to the legend, the Brahmins have been following each other for a very long time on the steps of the alter in the Temple of Brahma, carrying out the moving of the Sacred Tower of Brahma with sixty-four levels in fine gold. When all is finished the Tower and the Brahmins will fall and that will be the end of the world! http://www.cs.wm.edu/~pkstoc/page_1.html )
The objective of the problem is to find the minimum number of movements in order to demolish the tower- level by level- and reconstruct it in a neighboring tower. The following simple rules must be obeyed:
1 Only one disk can be moved at a time.
2 Each move consists of taking the upper disk from one of the stacks and placing it on top of another stack
3 No disk can be placed on the top of a smaller disk. (Wikipedia).
• To work out a solution our mediator will be an interactive internet game.
• The groups of participants will be asked to implement an algorithm for the problem in a programming language.
• They will present the problem and its solution using techniques of shadow theatre.
• With reference to shadow theatre participants will be asked to calculate the appropriate distance of the light source for an umbra (without penumbra) to be created.
• They will be also given a relevant music track of S-E Asia in order to discover the music pattern.
• Basic elements of Hindu philosophy will be studied through relevant texts.
• In the last stage participants will discuss the educational aims of this project.
Workshop code:WS-09 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Grondas Panagiotis (CS Instructor- The Art Secondary School of Gerakas)
Kotarinou Panagiota (Mathematics Instructor – The Art Secondary School of Gerakas)
Kouletsi Irene (Mathematics Instructor –Varvakeio Experimental School)
Milonis Konstantinos (Actor and Theatre Educator– The Art Secondary School of Gerakas)
Koutsouri Valia (Greek Language and Philosophy instructor-The Art Secondary School of Gerakas)
Pliakou, Maria (Chemistry Instructor- The Art Secondary School of Gerakas.)
Hadzi Maria (Pianist and Music instructor- The Art Secondary School of Gerakas) Houpi Maria (Physics Instructor- The Art Secondary School of Gerakas)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): SUBJECT AREAS: Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, Philosophy, Theater, Music
age 15-18
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): Participants in the workshop will use their own laptops, after having installed the game. They will work in groups of 3-4 members. The maximum number of participating teachers is 24
Exploiting Ubiquitous Computing, Mobile Computing and the Internet of Things to promote STEM Education
Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp), Mobile Computing (MobiCom) and the Internet of Things (IoT) as state of the art technologies (collectively mentioned as UMI) represent the most recent and explicit attempts to move computer technology beyond the confines of tool usage towards a pervasive penetration of everyday life. UMI technologies emerge both as educational means but most importantly as support mechanism for developing powerful careers in domains such as science education. This workshop will be based on the educational scenarios that have been developed in the context of H2020 project UMI-Sci-Ed. Participants will be given access to UDOO kits (an extended Arduino-based platform with peripherals) to implement the scenarios during the workshop.
Workshop code:WS-10 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Achilles Kameas, Associate Professor, Hellenic Open University & Director of Research Unit 3, Computer Technology Institute & Press "Diophantus"
Ioannis Zaharakis, Associate Professor, TEI of Western Greece & Manager of Research Unit 3, Computer Technology Institute & Press "Diophantus"
Olga Fragou, Research Associate of Research Unit 3, Computer Technology Institute & Press "Diophantus".
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): STEM teachers, high school (student ages between 14 and 16)
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): UDOO kits, laptops
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): UDOO kits will be offered by the organizers
Edu Web Combating Digital Exclusion: Children educate digitally illiterate adults in safe and creative web
Edu Web aims to enhance the cooperation between schools and educational institutions across Europe in order to combat the digital exclusion of adults in terms of Internet use by making students, the educators of the digitally illiterate adult members of their families, in safe and creative web. EduWeb provides a portal for hosting publicly available Educational Content for both beginners and advanced Internet
users. Additionally, the portal will provide the E-Learning Environment, which will be used for the on-line training of teachers with the necessary Educational Material needed in order to educate the students
on safe and creative Internet use. In this context the students from passive Internet users, will become trainers for the elderly members of their families supporting this way the EU 's aim to combat digital
exclusion through more effective and innovative teaching and pedagogical methods.
Workshop code:WS-11 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Giorgos Kormas Help-Line Coordinator, Aris Louvris Edu Web Coordinator
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Junior High School and Senior High School
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): tablet or netbook
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): The participant must have it with her/him
Using 3D Virtual Worlds Technology in Education: VR4STEM and World of Physics Erasmus+ projects
Contemporary education needs to be more attractive, as far as teaching is concerned, and more effective in terms of learning. 3D Worlds technology can contribute in both. In this workshop, an itroduction to 3D virtual worlds technology and corresponding software tools will be made. Afterwards, the use of 3D virtual worlds in the context of two education-oriented Erasmus+ projects will be presented and discussed. VR4STEM has as main target to help youmg people to obtain business skills in the STEM sector and the related ICT industry, through the courses, the educatiional activities and the learning approaches be developed within a virtual 3D World environment. In a similar vein, World of Physics project aims to help high school students in studying concepts and processes of Physics through use of virtual 3D worlds technology. Appropriate educational scenarios developed towards the above targets will be presented too. Participants may have the opportunity to get into and explore the virtual 3d worlds environments.
Workshop code:WS-12 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Prof. Ioannis Hatzilygeroudis, Prof. Michail Paraskevas, Dr Isidoros Perikos, Dr Foteini Grivokostopoulou and Kostas Kovas (MSc)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): STEM Teachers, Junior High School (13-15), Vocational Schools (15 - 18)
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): Laptop
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Participants must have it with them
Up2University
The aim of the workshop is to focus on a specific learning context and very formative period represented by secondary schools that in most European countries provide education to children between the ages of 11 and 19. It will develop an innovative ecosystem that facilitates more open, effective and efficient co-design, co-creation and use of digital content, tools and services specially adapted for personalised, collaborative or experimental learning by students preparing for university.
Workshop code:WS-13 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): NETMODE (Network Management & Optimal DEsign Laboratory) www.netmode.ntua.gr, National Technical University of Athens. Maglaris Vasilis, Professor of NTUA, Grammatikou Maria, Senior Researcher of NTUA, Pantazatos Dimitris, Researcher of NTUA,Vekris Antonis, Researcher of NTUA, Karounos Τheodoros, Senior Researcher of NTUA,Angelopoulos Panagiotis CS Teacher, Hatzakis Ilias, Senior Researcher of GRNET Katerina Papakonstantinou, Researcher of GRNET.
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Secondary education teachers. Age group: 12-18
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): tablet or netbook
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Participants must have it with them
FORETELL - Flood and Fire Safety Awareness in Virtual World
The FORETELL project exploits innovative technology-based learning strategies aiming to provide awareness on natural hazards, such as floods and fires. More specifically, the project aims to prepare children to cope with floods and fires through experiential learning activities, such as simulations and educational games, which are designed based on scenarios of “good practices” and developed in a 3D virtual world. Furthermore, FORETELL aims to empower the profile of the teaching professions towards the adoption of novel approaches in teaching and provides teachers with open digital educational material related to floods and fires. During the workshop, the participants will have the opportunity to create their avatars, login to the 3D virtual world learning environment, test the educational games and provide their comments and feedback to the organisers. The 3D virtual world learning environment fully supports four languages: English, Greek, Italian and Bulgarian.
Workshop code:WS-14 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Vicky Maratou, Researcher/3D virtual worlds developer, Hellenic Open University
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Primary and secondary education teachers. Age group: 8-15
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): Laptop
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): The participant must have it with her/him
CT as a way for inclusion
The aim is to develop an innovative ecosystem that facilitates more open, effective and efficient co-design, co-creation and use of digital content, tools and services specially adapted for personalised, collaborative or experimental learning by students preparing for university.
Workshop code:WS-15 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Ruth Sanders
Training teachers
Workshop code:WS-16 (Day 2 Friday 29/9/2017 14:30 – 16:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Miles Barry
Assessment of CT skills
One of the greatest challenges to introduce CT skills in K-12 is the lack of tools to automate their assessment. In this workshop we will work with different tools that have been designed to support educators in the evaluation tasks.
Workshop code:WS-17 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Jesus Moreno
CT across school curricula
Workshop code:WS-18 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Anusca Ferrari & Katja Engelhardt
New tool to support schools with the uptake of digital technologies
The workshop focus on how to teach coding and introduce the computational thinking to pupils whitout useing any devices.
Come and find out about the new self-assessment tool being developed to help schools see how they are using digital technology to support teaching and learning. The tool being developed by the European Commission, is being piloted in 14 countries over the coming weeks. Next year it will be made available for free for all schools throughout Europe to use.
Expert: Deirdre Hodson, EC - DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Workshop code:WS-19 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Deirdre Hodson, EC - DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Secondary, Age group: 10-15
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): video projector
Coding Apps for kids
Different apps on coding and robotics suitable for using in classroom and on-line colloboration will be introduced in the workshop, As some hands-on activities are planned the participants are asked to bring along their own devicesto the workshop,
Workshop code:WS-20 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Kristi Rahn, Argo Ilves
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): 8-16
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): tablets, video projector
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Participants must bring their own.
Practical show-cases of eTwinning projects on coding
The main aim of the workshop is to introduce how to integrate robotics and coding to the eTwinning project work and how to orginise on-line colloboration on this topics in international teams. An eTwinning project RoboMath will be introdused as a showcase. https://twinspace.etwinning.net/26578/home
Workshop code:WS-21 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Triinu Grossmann
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): 8-16
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): tablets, video projector
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Participants must bring their own.
Micro:Bit
In this workshop we are planning to give a quick overwiev of MicroBit and introduce it through our pupil's creations. After that we are going to learn how to use MicroBit in primary school and try out some simple programming. Note that prior to the workshop, download Microbit Apps from PlayStore or Apple store, the software are also available http://microbit.org/guide/mobile/
Workshop code:WS-22 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Maria Malozjomova, Jaanus Paasoja
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): 6-12
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): Laptop or tablet, Micro-bits
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Orginiser
Integration of scientific and engineering practices into STEM approach using Arduino
There is no doubt that the STEM constitutes an effective approach for supporting creativeness and problem solving capabilities of the students. Moreover, computational thinking is a core component of the above approach and is strongly related to the transdisciplinary approach of STEM.
On the other hand, there is a number of technological tools that supports the development of STEM activities. Arduino is a low cost and open architecture digital platform where a variety of technological applications can be developed by students enhancing their STEM skills and the dimensions of the Computational Thinking(CT).
The proposed workshop introduces an educational methodology for developing STEM /CT project based activities based on the Arduino platform for low secondary school students
Workshop code:WS-23 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): Sarantos Psycharis, Professor , ASPETE
Panayotis Papazoglou, Associate Professor Technological Education Institute of Sterea Ellada (Central Greece)
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Low Secondary
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): laptops, video projector
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Participants must bring their own. VP is available in the room.
Use of widely spread open platforms for educational purposes and production of Open Educational Resources
The purpose of the workshop is to explore ways of using known open platforms in everyday teaching process. The platforms to be examined are i.e wikipedia, openstreetmap & slidewiki. At the same time, methodologies will be explored on how teachers can use the above applications to create open educational resources.
Workshop code:WS-24 (Day 3 Saturday 30/9/2017 9:30 – 11:00)
Organiser/s (Names, Titles): GFOSS-Open Technologies Alliance
Vivi Petsioti, GFOSS – Open Technologies Alliance, Christos Iosifidis, OSM editor, OSGEO member, Manos Kefalas Founder & Chairman of the board of Wikipedia Community Schools Association Greece
Teachers Target Group (ie, primary education teachers, STEM teachers, Language Teachers, etc, age category): Primary, Secondary, Age group: 6-18
Tools needed (ie, netbook, tablet, robotic equipment etc): tablets, netbooks, etc
Who is offering the tools (the organizer or the participant must have it with him/her): Participants must bring their own
Photos of the conference
28, 29, 30 September 2017
- Presentation by Milles Berry
- Presentation by Maria Eleftheriou
- Presentation by FORETELL
- Presentation by Mary Grammatikou
- Presentation by Dimitris Pantazatos - Antonis Vekris
- Presentation by Psycharis Sarantos - Papazoglou Panayotis
- Presentation by Ioannis Hatzilygeroudis
- Presentation by Konstantinos Kovas
- Presentation by Zuzana Palkova
- Presentation by Isidoros Perikos
- Presentation by Achilleas Chameas
- Presentation by Athanasios Iossifides
- Presentation by Olga Fragou
Athens
Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.
A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological park”), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.
Around Acropolis
The tour starts at the temple of Olympian Zeus (6th c. B.C.), one of the largest in antiquity and close by Hadrian’s Arch (131 A.D.), which forms the symbolic entrance to the city. From there, walking along Dionysou Areopaghitou Street (on the south side of the Acropolis) you pass the ancient Theatre of Dionysos (5th c. B.C.) where most of the works by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylos and Aristophanes were performed. Continuing, you will reach the ruins of the Asklepieion (5th c. B.C.) and the Stoa of Eumenes (2th c. B.C.) and from there the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, which was built in 161 A.D. and is nowadays the venue of the performances of the Athens Festival.
From there you climb up to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, the site of some of the most important masterpieces of worldwide architecture and art, the most renowned of which is the Parthenon temple. Apart from this, also impressive are the Propylaea, the temple of the Athene Nike and the Erechtheion, while you must not skip a visit to the Museum, located close to the Parthenon. Moreover, from the rock you have an impressive view of the city.
Only 300m away from the sacred rock of Acropolis stands the impressive Acropolis Museum, one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. It is made of steel, glass and concrete and it houses 4,000 priceless finds from the Acropolis monuments that represent its history and function as the most important religious centre of ancient Athens.
Coming down from the Acropolis you arrive at the Areios Pagos, the most ancient law court of the world. Opposite it is Philopappou Hill, with its beautiful cobbled little roads and the Roman monument by the same name on its top, while close by is the Pnyx, where the citizens of ancient Athens used to assemble and exert their democratic rights.
Walking farther along the pedestrian road you arrive at the Ancient Agora, which was the commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Athens. A visit to the archaeological site will give you the opportunity to become acquainted with the workings of Classical Athenian democracy.
From there, via Ermou Street, you arrive at the Kerameikos, the largest cemetery of the ancient city, with impressive tomb sculptures and stelae. The Iridanos River, sacred in antiquity, runs through the archaeological site.
However, our tour of enchanting Athens does not restrict itself only to these unique archaeological sites.
Around neighborhoods of the historical centre
The “core” of the historic centre is the Plaka neighborhood (at the eastern side of the Acropolis), which has been inhabited without interruption since antiquity. When you walk through the narrow labyrinthine streets lined with houses and mansions from the time of the Turkish occupation and the Neoclassical period (19th c.), you will have the impression of travelling with a “time machine”. You will encounter ancient monuments, such as the Lysikrates Monument, erected by a wealthy donor of theatrical performances, the Roman Agora with the famed “Tower of the Winds” (1st c. B.C.) and Hadrian’s Library (132 A.D.), scores of bigger and smaller churches, true masterpieces of Byzantine art and architecture, as well as remnants of the Ottoman period (Fetihie Mosque, Tzistaraki Mosque, the Turkish Bath near the Tower of the Winds, the Muslim Seminary, et al.). There are also some interesting museums (Folk Art, Greek Children’s Art, Popular Musical Instruments, Frysira Art Gallery, etc.), lots of picturesque tavernas, cafés, bars, as well as shops selling souvenirs and traditional Greek products.
Continuing from Plaka you arrive at Monastiraki, a characteristic area of “old” Athens, with narrow streets and small buildings where the city’s traditional bazaar (Yousouroum) is held. Close to it is the Psyrri area, a traditional neighborhood which during the past few years has evolved into one of the most important “centres” of the town’s nightlife, with scores of bars, tavernas, ouzeris, clubs, etc.
However, the “heart” of the historical centre is the traditional commercial neighborhood, with more than 2,500 shops of all kinds, which spreads out over the streets surrounding Ermou Street (the city’s best-known commercial street). The western “border” of the area is Athinas Street, where the foodstuff commerce is concentrated, reminding one strongly of the Middle East. Here are situated, among others, the neoclassical mansions of the Town Hall, the Municipal Market (where meat, fish and vegetables are sold) and spacious Kotzias Square.
Within the boundary of Athens’ historical centre also are the picturesque neighborhoods of Makriyianni (close to the Acropolis, where the Acropolis Museum stands), Ano Petralona, Theseion (where you will find small interesting museums and scores of cafés, bars and restaurants), Kerameikos and Metaxourgeio, as well as the Gazi area, with the former Gas works, which now have been turned into a cultural centre of the Athens municipality (“Technopolis”).
Downtown
Syntagma and Omonia are the main central squares of the town; they are linked by Stadiou Street and Panepistimiou Avenue, along which some of the town’s most beautiful Neoclassical buildings have been erected. Dominating Syntagma Squareis the Greek Parliament building and in front of it the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in traditional costume. From this square starts the beautiful National Garden (40 acres), south of which stands the impressive Zappeion Mansion (1874-1888). From there you can continue towards the Presidential Mansion (1897) and thence to the Panathenaikon (Kallimarmaro) Stadium, where the first Olympic Games in modern history were held (1896). From there, crossing the Mets neighborhood, the road leads you to the First Cemetery, the oldest one in Athens, basically an outdoor sculpture display with a wealth of wonderful monumental tombstones by some of the most important sculptors of the 19th and 20th centuries.
From Omonia Square starts Patission street, a busy street with interesting buildings, amongst which are the Neoclassical mansions of the Polytechnic School and the National Archaeological Museum, which ranks among the leading museums in the world and hosts rare art treasures from the Neolithic era up to the Roman period.
Close to the museum is the Exarheia area, a charming and very lively neighborhood, traditional a meeting point and home to many students and artists. From Exarcheia, crossing the Neapoli neighborhood, you can climb the verdant Lycavittos Hill. From its top you have a view of the entire city, all the way to the sea. On the other side of the hill is the Kolonaki neighborhood, whose boundary is Vassilissis Sophias Avenue, one of the most grandiose streets of Athens with beautiful buildings, many museums (Cycladic Art, Benaki, Byzantine and Christian Museum, War Museum, National Gallery) and green areas. In Kolonaki, which is considered to be the most “aristocratic” area of the centre of Athens, you will find many shops selling expensive brands and high couture, modern restaurants, bars and cafés, while it is worthwhile to take a stroll through the central streets with their art déco, art nouveau and interbellum buildings.
Breathtaking views over Athens
Thanks to its rich morphology Athens has plenty of places where you can admire stunning panoramic views of the city. Romantic or not, let yourself be captivated by the Athenian cityscape as seen from above.
Around suburbs
The southern suburbs, located on the coast of the Saronic Gulf, a recreational and cultural park is being planned, comprising the existing sports facilities. They offer many opportunities to take a walk along the seaside, while you will also find many beautiful organized and free beaches, large shopping centers and nightclubs (especially during the summer). In the Maroussi suburb (north of the centre) are the facilities of the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens, where the majority of the athletic events were held during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Kifissia (north of Maroussi) is also worth a visit, with its beautiful villas and impressive mansions.
Moreover, if you wish to leave the centre behind you, you may visit, amongst others, the neighboring town of Piraeus, Greece’s main port (which nowadays forms one big conglomerate with Athens), the Daphni Monastery (11 km. west), one of the most significant Byzantine monuments of the country (12th c.) with unique mosaics, the Kaisariani Monastery (5 km. east), which was founded in the 2nd century, the Temple of Poseidon (5th c. B.C.) on Cape Sounion (58 km. south), following a wonderful route along the coast, the area of the battle of Marathon (490 B.C.) with the Tomb of Marathon, the archaeological sites of Eleusina (23 km. west), of Amphiareion (48 km. northeast), of Vravron (38 km. east) and Ramnous (close to Marathon), as well as the wonderful surrounding mountain massifs of Parnitha, Penteli and Hymettos, all suitable for hiking.
In Athens and the wider Attica area, you will find hotel accommodation of high standard, modern means of transportation, a wide choice of opportunities for shopping, dining and nightlife, good service but above all the hospitality and warmth of its inhabitants. In a nutshell, Athens is a city that fascinates every visitor, during all seasons.
To find more information about the weather in Athens please visit: http://www.meteo.gr/meteoplus/cf-En.cfm?city_id=12