An adaptable multi-learner serious game for learning cultural heritage

The current study presents an adaptable light game engine, which is used to produce interactive educational settings focused on cultural heritage. The tool is implemented using inexpensive and open source technologies. In this paper we first discuss the architecture of the application and we then present two games developed by using the proposed engine. The produced games are multi-user and support the collaboration and communication among learners and among learners and instructors. Learners earn marks, badges and certificates as they study the material and complete the quizzes. Various evaluation experiments have been realized to understand the suitability of the produced content in educational activities. The evaluation results of the authentic educational actions were quite positive and supportive by both students and teachers.

Strengthening the coding skills of teachers in a low dropout Python MOOC

In this paper, we present a structured approach to developing an outreach program aimed at improving the coding abilities of pre- and in-service teachers. The paper presents the design and development decisions made using the ADDIE model. External evaluators assessed the material's quality, confirmed the estimated workload, and examined the material's relevance to the educational goals. Learners’ active participation was encouraged through multiple quizzes, and learners were assisted in their learning activities by means of practical examples. Based on the number of people who actually logged into the course, a completion rate of 70.84 percent is achieved. The paper presents and discusses the findings of an evaluation conducted with the assistance of experienced teachers and course participants.

Preschool and early primary school age children learning of computational thinking through the use of asynchronous learning environments in the age of Covid-19

This current study aims to examine through a literature review whether children of preschool and early primary school age can be taught distance computational thinking (CT) through asynchronous learning environments in the age of covid. Over the past few years in Greece, a sharp rise in computational thinking has been noted as both students and teachers feel the need to create more imaginative and interactive ways. The study results illustrate the significance of digital media in the educational process and the educator’s crucial role in using such digital tools in preschool and early primary school age. The cooperation between educators of preschool age and teachers of Information Technology could offer new dimensions and provide numerous benefits to the learning process. Distance learning programs could help teachers’ training process through properly structured material that corresponds more effectively to the learning of CT.

Implementation and evaluation of a remote seminar on the pedagogical use of educational robotics

This article describes distance teacher training for educational robotics' pedagogical use, e.g., the planning, the implementation, and the evaluation by the teachers involved. The training seminars were organized as part of the Greek eTwinning community's seminars. They were based on a Teacher Practice Community of the South Aegean about using ICT in teaching practice. From 2018 we have included seminars on educational robotics. There is a growing interest in the use of educational robotics in teaching practice. Although the topic is such that face-to-face contact and experimentation with the subject is considered necessary, we tried to educate teachers using remote learning methodology. The project was successful, and the evaluation of the seminars was very positive.

Educational robotics and STEAM in early childhood education

The interest in the future configuration, focusing on the innovative technologies and more specifically on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), is remarkably increased. The value of STEAM education is undeniable as a means of developing basic skills and competencies of young students improving the learning process, developing communication skills, and solving real-life difficulties. The current research study was completed in the context of an actual learning process, with the view to study educational robotics in kindergarten students to engage them with STEAM education, using the programmable robot Bee-Bot® initially. The didactic intervention was held, which was developed in two phases. More specifically, a sample of 12 children (age range: 5–6 years old) took part in an intensive educational robotics lab for 16 sessions (4 weeks) by using a bee-shaped robot called Bee-Bot®. The results of our current research study revealed that STEAM education could also take place in a speech therapy clinic using the appropriate educational robots. Our young students developed and mastered knowledge in programming and computerizing, and algorithmic thinking with playful mod using educational robots, and they also built their vocabulary and develop communication skills.

Teaching mathematics with mobile devices and the Realistic Mathematical Education (RME) approach in kindergarten

Nowadays, smart mobile devices such as tablets and accompanying applications (apps) are a part of young children's daily lives. In kindergarten education, properly designed digital educational activities can become a potent educational tool for efficient and effective learning. These tools allow children to take advantage of new learning platforms and effectively reach new knowledge through activities related to their immediate interests and real-life scenarios in learning domains, such as mathematics. At the Department of Preschool Education, University of Crete, systematic research was carried out in the last years to investigate whether there are compelling benefits to using tablet-type devices in preschool education to implement teaching reform proposals to implement the Realistic Mathematical Education in kindergarten classrooms. The findings propose mobile devices' integration, running developmentally appropriate apps, in kindergarten classrooms. These apps were based on the three levels of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), targeting fundamental mathematical concepts for the kindergarten level.

Challenges and issues of STEM education

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, abbreviated as STEM is a very promising field and its popularity is increasing due to its benefits in the modern world of globalization and modernization. Science and mathematics are basics of the technological developments going on in the world. In order to continue with these developments, the children should be motivated to learn STEM from early school days. The minds of small kids are like a sponge and they are able to grasp everything quickly. STEM education should be encouraged from the childhood so that children like it and continue with it for higher education. This chapter discusses some of the challenges observed while encouraging children to learn STEM at early age and also tries to list out some solutions for it.

Reinforcing preschoolers’ phonemic awareness through the use of tablets

This study aimed to implement an intervention program to examine whether tablets enhance kindergarten children’s phonemic awareness. Seventy-four (74) kindergarten children (40 boys and 34 girls) aged 4 to 6 years from 4 public kindergarten classrooms participated in the study, from which 38 children formed the experimental group while 36 children formed the control one. During the intervention program, children in the experimental group were trained through tablets in initial phoneme identification, initial phoneme deletion, and phoneme segmentation, while the control group trained in the same tasks without tablets. Results showed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group. In conclusion, the present research found that digital media help educational practice, but it is also how teachers use digital tools to facilitate learning.

The mobile internet as a tool of education and as a means of intimidation and victimization in the field of Ecclesiastical Education

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has undoubtedly influenced children, adolescents, and young people's social interactions and behavior. The use of technology has not only positive but also negative consequences. In recent years, research has shifted from traditional bullying to new forms of bullying, such as cyberbullying. In Greece, there is a research gap in investigating this phenomenon among students of Ecclesiastical Schools. This paper investigates the frequency of bullying and victimization of these students through digital means, as well as their views on the role of Ecclesiastical Education in the prevalence of cyberbullying.

Advances in Mobile Learning Educational Research (A.M.L.E.R.): Mobile learning as an educational reform

The journal Advances in Educational Research and Evaluation is a peer-reviewed openaccess journal aimed to be a medium for discussing a wide range of international educational experiences and assessment techniques. The journal intends to publish high-quality articles, the scope of which includes but is not limited to topics mentioned in this editorial. With the support of an international team of educational scholars who kindly volunteered to serve on the editorial board, the journal is set to adhere to the highest publishing ethics standards.