A student can learn about changes in the human body theoretically by seeing pictures in his textbook, as well as through an interactive table or a machine – a robot that he himself constructs. The same can happen with foreign languages ​​or geography. Which teaching method do you think would be more fun and therefore more rewarding for the student? Learning from memory or experience? Ministry of Education in collaboration with Education Policy Institute (IEP) initiated the development of new curricula for primary and secondary, general and vocational education with a focus on learning outcomes and the parallel development of digital content/tools. Therefore, the supply and installation of digital boards and robotics systems planned by the Ministry of Education for the near future, such as “K” represents today, comes to the strengthening of the introduction of new curricula and, in a broader sense, the new philosophy that they bring to the educational process. A philosophy that emphasizes experiential learning and the improvement of modern student skills.

Works for 365 million euros

In particular, the Ministry of Education will install 36,000 interactive systems in primary and secondary general education and vocational schools of the region. The project budget is 148 million euros. “In order to significantly enhance the digital transformation of education, the introduction of new technologies in the heart of the educational process, in the classroom. The expected results of the introduction of new technologies in teaching include, in particular, the creation of additional opportunities for the active participation of students, increased productivity and student achievement, and easier teaching for teachers. says the ministry.

The second action concerns robotics. In particular, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools throughout the territory will be equipped with robotics kits. Each robotics kit consists of building blocks and software that allows you to design and program, forming a complete project.

The project budget is 30 million euros. As defined by the goals of the Ministry of Education and the IEP, educational robotics has a positive impact both in the cognitive sphere and in the emotional (self-confidence, self-esteem) and social (socialization, demystification of difficulties). In addition, by incorporating it into teaching, the teacher can focus on introducing students to programming and technology, introducing students to problem solving (analysis, design, implementation, testing and experimentation, evaluation), promoting educational innovation, strengthening teamwork.

New curricula in primary and secondary education using technology to enhance modern student skills.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, a phased supply of equipment to the school divisions of the region will begin.

For the needs of the projects and their smooth implementation, it is planned to conduct teacher training activities, create appropriate educational material, as well as the work of a support service that will serve the needs of users when using interactive systems as an operating system, as well as robotics and STEM equipment.

The total investment in the digital transformation of education has reached approximately 365 million euros and is carried out within the framework of Greece National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2.0 and funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

Of course, in 2014, the installation of digital boards in schools began. The project “Digital Services of the Ministry of Education” with a total budget of 174.4 million euros was approved by the European Commission in February 2014 and concerned the supply of mobile laboratories and interactive systems for school units throughout the country with the aim of digitally modernizing the educational process.

The program was divided into two implementation phases, of which the first, costing €42.8 million, was to be 33% complete by 31 December 2015, while the second phase was still in the bidding process in mid-2015. Despite all this, the then leadership of the Ministry of Education decided to stop the digital school program. The purchase of interactive whiteboards was canceled because “it was not possible to meet all disbursement deadlines by December 31, 2015.” and that project allocations would be requested for use for other reasons, such as filling gaps. However, the specific project involved loans of around 250 million euros for teacher training, as well as the creation of interactive courses required for the use of interactive systems and computers.

“Children need to be educated in the digital world”

English and geography only from a dictionary and map or through an interactive journey? Obviously the second one is more impressive. The English teacher gave these examples Maria Hatsi explain, spoke to “K” yesterdayhow the interactive whiteboard can change the daily educational life. “I think I can design an English lesson using the right apps. Let’s say I can divide the students into groups, and each of them will choose their destination in the world. Then they have to make a route from Greece to the country that each group has chosen, issue a travel document in English, book rooms, and introduce sights,” says Ms. Hatzi. “The teacher plans and takes on the role of facilitator in the classroom, while with the digital whiteboard, teaching methods are completely changed,” she notes.

Hatzi’s example helps us reflect on the value of the interactive whiteboard not only in its subject matter, English, but also in geography, history, and religious studies. Such as said the theologian in “K”, “on a digital board, students can plan the journey of the apostle Paul and learn about the historical events that make up the corresponding chapter of religious studies.” Also, with the help of a digital board, students can attend a lecture, take a tour of museums, or make a collage in a drawing class.

“Children growing up will be surrounded by a digital world. They will need to be trained to use it, so now we have to help them develop their digital skills.” Mrs. Maria Schiadeli told K yesterday., teaching information technology at the 1st experimental elementary school of Halandri. “With robotics, a child learns to design, program and control a robot. “Really, what’s the value in that?” – you ask. To answer correctly, let’s think about the digital applications that exist in the modern home or help us in all professions,” says Ms. Schiadeli and gives an example for … unsuspecting parents and readers. “We want to talk to students about the evolution of a tadpole into a frog. We can do it through texts. We can also ask them to build a tadpole robot and then make the necessary changes to it to make a frog. You can imagine for a child how much more fun and apparently more effective this way of learning is.”

The development of digital skills is also considered essential because international studies have shown that children have difficulty in this area. According to the ministry, “educational robotics helps to acquire the ability to organize and manage projects (time management, task and resource allocation), as well as the development of communication skills and valuable mental skills (analytical and synthetic thinking, creativity, critical thinking).” .