International Symposium January 26 – 27 Athens, Greece Designing the Science Laboratory for the School of Tomorrow: Advanced Technologies in Education

ICT as an instrument for development in remote Areas University of Aegean Costas Tsolakidis

Characteristics of Remote/ Rural Areas Mainly Primary sector Remote Isolated Low Population Shortage of resources Slow rate of development Scarce employment opportunities Lack of facilities in: Health Education Entertainment Little chance of diversity in the local economy

ICT in remote areas Equipment Infrastructure Training on ICT use Not all of the above have the same value * Since we are referring to rural/ remote areas, infrastructure (in this respect connectivity) is of special importance Culture for ICT

DEVELOPMENT: A Multidimensional Meaning Financial Dimension: Increase Increase efficiency and productivity Increase Income per capita Social Dimension: Modernization Changing the social structures Equality in income distribution, limitation of. unemployment, elimination of poverty, Quality in education, health and environment Cultural Dimension: Progress with respect to Views Stereotypes Mentalities

How can ICT be applied to remote areas? Schools: Multigrade – Rural Schools Definition Where are they A realistic solution to the problem of education in. rural areas Educational paradigm

Rural schools and rural development 1 Involvement of rural schools in training programmes for the locals Introduction of new technologies into the area and undertaking of initiatives that help in the creation of the “culture for technology” Cooperation with local community in educational programmes to promote local cultural production, local art, entrepreneurship and active citizenship Rural Schools can help areas’ socio economic and cultural development if their relationship with local communities is strengthened Promotion and dispersion of new ideas, beyond stereotypes, concerning multicultural societies, environment, gender equality etc. Participation in cultural activities

Rural schools and rural development 2 Already common practice in some schools - mostly in rural schools  Training seminars for adults  Theatrical plays with the participation of locals  Sports activities  Teaching ICT skills  Participation in educational projects concerning environment and culture

ICT from Financial point of view They relate to any activity ie. financial They make any financial activity more productive They can help develop products, many innovative They add value to existing products (tourism) They provide infrastructure and they facilitate Specialization of economy Exploitation of comparative advantages Promote new forms of employment/occupation (eg. tele-working) HENCE contribute to financial growth

Broaden the horizon of relationships between people Facilitate access to information Help increase knowledge Suggest new forms of education Suggest new forms of administering health ICT from social point of view HENCE they are a factor that affects social development

They facilitate: The spreading of new ideas and messages The cultural exchange and feedback Identification of common values in civilizations ICT from Cultural point of view HENCE they are a factor that defines cultural growth

University of Aegean Research and Application Projects on ICT in rural Areas

Tilos Island The first distance lessons in Greece Teaching in Tilos Secondary School from the University of Aegean in Rhodes, using the Internet, authorized by the Ministry of Education and the Pedagogical Institute

PROJECT ΣΧΕΔΙΑ - (RAFT) ICT in the schools of the small islands (< inhabitants) of the Aegean 86 computers 46 primary schools 32 islands School Educational Network of the Aegean Education, Educational Material, Distance Education, Distance Support, Contests/Competitions

MUSE Project Teacher training using Distance Learning methods in Multigrade Schools of Europe University of the Aegean (Greece) University of London (UK) University of Cadiz (Spain) University of Juvaskyla (Finland) Ellinogermaniki Agogi (Greece) Salakos Primary School (Greece) Tarifa Primary School (Spain) Vinturi Tastulan Pr.School (Finland) Veiko Primary School (Finland) MUltigrade School Education

NEtwork of Multigrade EDucation NEMED University of Aegean Greece Ellinogermaniki Agogi Greece University of London United Kingdom University of Juvaskyla Finland University of Barcelona Spain University of Lisbon Portugal University of Cyprus Cyprus University of Lecce Italy University of Bucharest Romania Eotvos Lorand University Hungary European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN) Hungary Oriente Network Austria

AIM: To study the function of rural schools in Europe and to report on the facts and possible policies on them

ΔΙΑΣ - (ZEUS) PROJECT Satellite Network of Remote Schools Distance Education for teacher training in Multigrade schools, using the Greek communication satellite Hellas-Sat First Satellite lessons in Greece

RURAL WINGS Distance training using Satellite of the: Medical personnel Teachers Local Authority personnel In the remote areas in Europe and beyond

24 Partners  Training at school  Training at work  Training at home

University of the Aegean Bodosakis Foundation World Wide Fund Portal for Environmental Education

Ways of Communication 1. Radio 2. Telephone/ SMS Mobile 3. Internet Distant Teaching Material for Primary Schools Greek State Radio University of Aegean School INTERNET Greek Telecom

Conclusions We believe ICT can play a very important role in the development of any country – much more so for the rural areas, partly removing isolation. We also believe that ICT can help teachers deliver better education to their children everywhere- more for rural schools Rural Areas can benefit most by Broadband connectivity Rural schools can play an important role in remote areas: Educational/ Training – Cultural – Financial Their multirole function must be institutionalised This is particularly important since many parts of the country are considered as target 2 in the next European Development Scheme

World society is transforming from Information society into knowledge society. Technology is here; yet the road for changing our views about it is still very long...