Viksjöfors skola (Viksjöfors - Sweden)
Viksjöfors skola is located in distant isolated countryside. The school was founded more than 100 years ago (school buildings have changed over the years but the original building is still there). It is a primary school with 64 students, ages 6-12. The amount of students was increasing rapidly due to high amount of arriving refugees in the past two years. The staff in the school (teachers and language assistants) are very much focused on the learning of curricular subjects with artistic expressions. Many pupils, as well among the village children as among the newly arrived refugees, have the benefit of alternative languages in learning (bodylanguage/expression via dance/achrobatics/parcour, music, film, art, drama/theater etc.).
The area has low tradition of education due to early age in work within farming, forestry and factories (forest machinery and furniture). Girls tend to leave already at upper secondary level while boys tend to stay and stick to fishing/hunting, motor sports and computer activities. This is a reason for new mixed families (Asia-Swedish, Afro-Swedish).
Viksjöfors school has a dance school in the garden, 10m from house corner to house corner. It is not only the location but the spirit for artistic values in the village that gives artistic expressions a special value. Since 1998 the school and the dance school Viksjöforsbaletten act in cooperation. When dance teachers work in Viksjöforsbaletten they naturally are connected to the school kids as well in school hours as in after school activities. In this spirit there was developed a concept of approaching curricular subjects with cultural expressions.
Helena Ehrstrand - Primary school teacher, educated at Åbo Akademi, Pedagogiska Fakulteten. Helena was always working with alternative methods for learning curricular subjects. All through her teaching years she was connected to Universities, i.e. Dalarna University, University of Gävle within subjects such as pedagogics, history, mathematics, Swedish for immigrants (Sv2). Ms Ehrstrand is the project manager for the coordinating organisation.
Mary Kate Sheehan (B.A. Performing Arts from St. Mary's College of California) is a professional dancer and dance teacher in New York City and Europe. She has performed and taught dance in many countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Mary Kate has a long partnership with Viksjöforsbaletten and Viksjöfors skola in Sweden where she has worked as the program director for the dance school, dance teacher for ages 4 through 64, dance teacher for refugees, and as a collaborator for using dance to teach curricular subjects.
Sophia Färlin Månsson - educated at University of Dance and Circus, Stockholm and London contemporary Dance School. Sophia works with integrating dance in theoretical subjects and holds lectures and workshops all across Sweden and abroad.
Frida Krantz - educated at Balettakademin, Danscenter Fryshuset and Diambra in Stockholm. Frida works as a dancer and dance teacher in Sweden. Teaches ages from 4 to 25.
Elisabeth Guthu - Primary school teacher, educated at Mid Sweden University where she wrote her final essay with focus on the learning of curricular school subjects with artistic expressions.
Anki Waltersson - teacher with focus on musical expressions.
Technical University of Crete (TUC/MUSIC - Greece)
TUC/MUSIC was established in 1990 in the Dep. of Electronics and Computer Engineering of the Technical University of Crete, Chania, Crete, Greece. It is a centre of research, development and teaching in the areas of distributed information systems, application engineering, computer graphics, and simulation engineering. TUC/MUSIC performs research in the areas of high performance distributed multimedia architectures, information systems offering advanced functionalities, data base systems, information retrieval systems, digital libraries, service oriented architectures, and graphics systems. In the area of application engineering, TUC/MUSIC performs research in the topics of large distributed multimedia delivery networks for intelligent TV applications, semantic interoperability infrastructures, web and mobile based application development methodologies, natural language processing, as well as standard-based software infrastructures for multimedia applications in areas such as e-learning, culture and tourism, business applications, TV Applications and medicine. It also has extensive experience in usability aspects of modern applications, the design of intuitive and efficient graphical user interfaces both for the desktop and the web, and their evaluation following standard methodologies.
The last 6 years, TUC participates in a number of projects (ALICE, e-ARTinED, MultiLib) focusing on the integration of arts into formal and non-formal learning settings. Based on the experience from these project TUC will lead the work regarding the set up of an infrastructure to promote the use of arts for social inclusion in schools and will also involve local schools in the pilot activities of the project.
Nikos Pappas - Research Engineer – Learning Technologies Expert. He holds an Engineering Diploma and a M.Sc. in Electronic and Computer Engineering. He has been working in TUC/MUSIC since 1992 and has been involved in various European research projects related to multimedia information systems, eLearning and digital libraries. He is the chief architect and responsible for the development and evolution of the Coursevo platform (http://coursevo.com/) supporting communities of practice and training programmes.
Prof. Emer. Stavros Christodoulakis - Former director of TUC/MUSIC, Professor Emeritus of the ECE Department of TUC, and Member of the Scientific Board of the Institute of Telecommunications of Crete; member of the Scientific Board of the DELOS II Network of Excellence on Digital Libraries; co-coordinator of the DELOS II Cluster “Audio-visual and non-traditional objects”. Member of the Working Group 3/Technical Committee 48 of the Greek Organization for Standardization (ELOT) working in the area of learning processes and technologies standardization.
Dr. Polyxeni Arapi, Researcher - Learning Technologies Expert. She holds an Engineering Diploma and a M.Sc. in Electronic and Computer Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Informatics. She has been working in TUC/MUSIC since 2001 and has been involved in various European research projects related to eLearning and digital libraries. She has extensive experience in eLearning systems and applications (semantic modelling, architectures & services, interoperability, accessibility, personalization, pedagogical approaches/strategies etc.), digital libraries systems and applications, databases and multimedia information systems. Involved in the work of the Greek Organization for Standardization (ELOT) working in the area of learning processes and technologies.
Nektarios Moumoutzis - Researcher. Holds a MEng in Computer Engineering. He has been involved in various research projects and his expertise includes project management, design and mplementation of modern information systems, object oriented databases, and eLearning systems. He was the project manager of the pSkills LLP Comenius project. His current research focuses on creativity methodologies and systems to support deep holistic learning in school education and in informal and non-formal learning settings incorporating Arts. He is also involved in the eShadow project.
Nikos Pappas - Research Engineer – Learning Technologies Expert. He holds an Engineering Diploma and a M.Sc. in Electronic and Computer Engineering. He has been working in TUC/MUSIC since 1992 and has been involved in various European research projects related to multimedia information systems, eLearning and digital libraries. He is the chief architect and responsible for the development and evolution of the Coursevo platform (http://coursevo.com/) supporting communities of practice and training programmes.
Yiannis Maragkoudakis - Researcher - Financial expert. He is an electronic and computer engineer (Dipl.-Eng.). He has been working in TUC/MUSIC since 1992 and has been involved in various EU research projects. His expertise includes project management and coordination of research projects, parallel systems, multimedia servers, eLearning systems and applications.
University of Crete (UCrete - Greece)
The University of Crete is a young public educational institution committed to excellence in research and teaching. The international orientation of the University is reflected in its track record of collaborations with many of the leading research and educational institutions in Europe and worldwide as well as active promotion of mobility and exchange programmes. Research and research training at all levels benefits also from the close collaboration between many of the University’s research groups with the Institutes of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) and the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC)
The Laboratory of Psychology and Special Education (LPSE) is a research and clinical center attached to the Department of Primary Education of the University of Crete with a wide range of research and clinical (e.g. evaluation of special educational needs, etc.) activities in the area of educational psychology and special education focusing on the promotion of University- (educational) Community partnership. Five academic members and an accredited researcher constitute its permanent staff.
The Dept of Primary Education and the LPSE have both strong experience of working and cooperation with school staff and school professionals in order to promote high quality inclusive activities and programs. A high number of intervention programs with emphasis on helping teachers deal with the challenge of managing and including students with SEN or various disorders has been realized during the last 15 years with very positive results for these students their teachers, and their parents.
Nikos Pappas - Research Engineer – Learning Technologies Expert. He holds an Engineering Diploma and a M.Sc. in Electronic and Computer Engineering. He has been working in TUC/MUSIC since 1992 and has been involved in various European research projects related to multimedia information systems, eLearning and digital libraries. He is the chief architect and responsible for the development and evolution of the Coursevo platform (http://coursevo.com/) supporting communities of practice and training programmes.
Prof. Elias Kourkoutas - Academic and Research Professor of Psychology & Special Education, Chair of the Interfaculty Post-Graduate Program in Special Education, University of Crete, Dipl. Clinical Section, Brussels- Paris V-III, PhD Clinical Psychology University of Liege, Belgium.
Dr. Eleni Tragouli - Teaching and Research Staff, Department of Primary Education, University of Crete, Bach, MSc, PhD University of Birmingham, UK.
Dr. Pothini Vaiouli - Music Therapist, Researcher/ Lecturer, MSc, Music Therapy, New York University, PhD, Indiana University, USA.
Dr. Stefanos Plexousakis - PhD, Dept of Psychology, University of Crete, MSc Counselling Psychology, University of Greenwich, UK
Mrs. Irini Monastirioti - Psychologist, Elementary School Teacher, Special Educator, Interfaculty Post-Graduate Program in Special Education, Researcher School Psychology Unit, University of Crete
Dr. Maria Georgiadi - I am qualified educator/psychologist. I hold two Bachelor Degrees, one from the department of Primary Education of the University of Patras and one from the department of Psychology of the University of Crete. I also hold a masters degree in special education and I have obtained a PhD in Educational Psychology with a specialization in special education. I have taught in several educational contexts (University of Crete, Institute of Professional Development, Seminars of continuous professional development, mbs college, open university) and participated in several research projects. My research interests includes school inclusion of children with disabilities, children's chronic illnesses and issues related to their psychological well being, students with special educational needs, developmental
disorders (autism, mental retardation etc) and developing intervention programmes for parents, teachers and students.
LCEducational (LCEducational - Cyprus)
LCEducational is an accredited educational, training, research and counseling center for adults, offering:
- Professional education and training
- Counseling and research services, to small, medium enterprises, various organisations and authorities
- Certifying trainees with the necessary qualifications
- Transition to work Service for people with disabilities (assessment and training program)
- Career Counseling for young people
- European projects
- Planning and implementation of conferences, seminars, educational programs, researches and many other EU and national projects
LCEducational participates in a number of ongoing projects that target on people with special needs and disabilities. Its team is combined of a number of external collaborators, accredited certified trainers (scientists and teachers) and academics, with various professional backgrounds, both from Cyprus and abroad.
LCEducational specific expertise is the:
- Training of different professionals in the area of social care in general ( for professionals working with people with disabilities, with dementia, with people with visual problems and with children early intervention in the kindergarten, etc),
- Training of vulnerable groups (ex. Immigrants) , assessment and training of people with disabilities for getting in the labour market
- Train the trainers
- Youth Training
- Cultural programs (mixed ability theatre and music)
LCEducational is the only Training Centre in Cyprus offering a modern holistic approach of skills evaluation and training for people with disabilities, targeting their inclusion in the labor market.
Another action that LCEducational provides is the planning and implementation of conferences, seminars, educational programs and many other European and national projects, in relation with the above themes.
LCEducational is an accredited training centre by the HRDA (https://eaxiopistosyn.anad.org.cy/ReportsPDF/ApprovedKEK_635586482114751250.pdf), and it is in close collaboration with other similar training and education organizations/centres in the European Union.
Litsa Charalambous - Managing Director of LCEducational, BA in Occupational Therapy-OT, MA In Gender Issues, education-training and new ICT environments, PhD candidate on the field of Assessment and Training tools for people with mild learning disabilities, in
order to get in the labor market. Her action is:
• 15 years working as an OT with different special groups
• Last 7 years works as a specialist in the field of training other professionals in the new European values of social care and disabilities
in general, as well as self advocacy issues, communication and employment skills
• Certified Senior Trainer
• Organized the first Transition Service in Cyprus
• Organized an NGO day Center for young people with intellectual Disabilities
• She does the scientific coordination of various projects
• Active citizen, professional and volunteer
Eleni Filippou - Miss Filippou has studied in Aix En Provence, France and holds a Masters degree in Sociology and a Masters degree in Human Sciences with specialty in Ergology/ Human Resources Management. She is the Project Manager of LCEducational. She prepares, develops, coordinates and manages European, National Programs and trainings and she also has the role of trainer in various topics, such as communication skills, human resources and European values of social care. She has large experience in project management of many European and National Projects. She is experienced in researches regarding vulnerable social groups and the conditions in the workplace. She is an active volunteer and member of various NGO's in Limassol.
Yiannis Papatzanis - He is part of LCEducational team. He has spent many years studying musical styles and techniques of many different percussion instruments, both traditional and modern. Recently, he turned to Daouli, the only percussion that has traditionally been associated with Cretan Music, in which he developed new techniques and a new musical approach, offering new possibilities that did not exist in the traditional, particularly simple way of playing. The result of this new way of play has greatly expanded the possibilities of the instrument without any compromise on the basic traditional aesthetic elements. He has collaborated with musicians from many countries. He is also a close collaborator with leading Ross Daly, Yorgos Xylouris, Vasilis Stavrakakis, Psarantonis, Zacharias Spyridakis, Dimitris Sgouro, Achilleas Persidis and HaigYazdjian, for 25 years playing percussion and singing. At the same time, he develops the techniques of the traditional Aegean crust (tumbaki) and uses other perceptions. He has composed original music for theater, cinema, dance, documentary and television productions. As part of the drive to connect the University with the local community and to promote it to an even more vibrant unit of it, he proposed an innovative research and educational program of acquaintance with rhythm and various percussion instruments. This program is not only addressed to students of the University's faculties, but also to teachers, covering a very important gap in the need for continuous training and aiming to offer them an additional professional skill.
Coventry University (COVUNI - UK)
Coventry University is well known for being ambitious and innovative, making a significant contribution to important global and societal challenges. Coventry’s new £100M research strategy, ‘Excellence with Impact’, builds on this trend and will transform the way we research by applying fresh and original approaches.
Named the UK’s Modern University of the Year by Times and Sunday Times (2014, 2015 and 2016), Coventry University has a reputation for excellent teaching and research, business engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship. It is ranked the No.1 UK University in 2016 for student satisfaction (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016).
With a proud tradition as a provider of high quality education and a focus on multidisciplinary research, the University has established a robust academic presence regionally, nationally and across the world. 92% of Coventry University’s research was rated as world-leading, internationally excellent or recognized internationally in REF2014. These results clearly recognise the quality and impact of research within the University.
Coventry University has an extensive track record in engagement with Europe and European research and development. It has widely recognised experience in the delivery of Framework Programme activity (FP6, FP7, Horizon 2020) with European collaborative management experience from lead and partner roles on Leonardo, Erasmus, INTAS, DAPHNE, Socrates, INFO 2000, MLIS, Promise, Erasmus+ and EuropeAid projects.
Coventry University has a Research Office that reviews activity and compliance matters on all funded research activity within the University. The Office has a dedicated team that will monitor the legal and financial compliance issues of the research proposal from contractual stage through to closure. They will assist the consortium with the reporting matters required by the funder and will carry out internal quality reviews, with particular reference to risk management. The research project would be given a set of unique codes so the financial matters of the project can be kept discreet from other funds, enabling a full and comprehensive audit trail. The Research Office has a wealth of experience in dealing with EU funded research projects and appreciates the nature and focus of the activity.
Nikos Pappas - Research Engineer – Learning Technologies Expert. He holds an Engineering Diploma and a M.Sc. in Electronic and Computer Engineering. He has been working in TUC/MUSIC since 1992 and has been involved in various European research projects related to multimedia information systems, eLearning and digital libraries. He is the chief architect and responsible for the development and evolution of the Coursevo platform (http://coursevo.com/) supporting communities of practice and training programmes.
Dr Petros Lameras - He is a Senior Lecturer in serious games at Coventry University, School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, (CEM) he is visiting scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Educational Arcade Lab. Dr Lameras co-leads the games tech / serious games research cluster within the School. He is involved in national and international projects that negotiate the design, implementation and evaluation of games in commercial and educational settings. In particular, Dr Lameras is involved in projects that explore game design for developing location-based games, soft skills, sustainability in open spaces, increasing cultural learning awareness, teacher and games developer training in computational thinking, game design, learning design in multidisciplinary industrial and educational contexts.
Dr Ian Dunwell - He is a Senior Lecturer at Coventry University, School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics (CEM) and co- lead the games tech / serious games research cluster within the School. Having obtained his PhD in Computer Science in 2007, he also holds a degree in Physics from Imperial College London, and is an Associate of the Royal College of Science. His research interests lie primarily in the application of an understanding of cognitive psychology as a means for providing optimised, evaluated, and effective learning experiences or healthcare interventions.
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