The Centre for Teaching and Learning of the University of West Attica successfully organized its 5th online seminar titled “Technology in Higher Education”. The event took place on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, from 17.00 to 20.00 via MS Teams platform.
The steering committee of CTL UniWA, consisting of Y. Psaromiligkos, S. Asonitou, and M. Chatzigianni, introduced keynote speaker, Dr. Timos Almpanis. Mr. Almpanis commenced his presentation by providing an overview of his academic background, skillfully intertwining his educational journey with his extensive experience in academia. Then, he delved into the realm of technology-enhanced learning, shedding light on the various practices and tools employed in this domain in the United Kingdom, where he currently serves. To facilitate a comprehensive understanding of these tools and practices, he showcased several projects he has successfully undertaken throughout his illustrious career. Furthermore, Mr. Almpanis expounded upon the significance of technology-enhanced learning during the pandemic, emphasizing its pivotal role in ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of the educational process. Lastly, he underscored the myriad opportunities and challenges that arise in the realm of blended and technology-enhanced learning.
In conclusion, the conference was graced by the presence of the esteemed coordinating committee of KEDIMA, who introduced the event with utmost grace and professionalism. Dr. Timos Almpanis captivated the audience with his erudite presentation, seamlessly connecting his academic background with his practical experience in academia. His elucidation of technology-enhanced learning, accompanied by real-life project demonstrations, provided invaluable insights into this field. Moreover, his emphasis on the role of technology-enhanced learning during the pandemic shed light on its indispensable contribution to the continuity of education. Finally, Dr. Almpanis left the audience pondering the vast opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the realm of blended and technology-enhanced learning.
The issues raised in an open dialogue after Mr. Almpanis’ speech can be summarised as follows:
- upcoming challenges in education from artificial intelligence,
- digital equality within universities,
- automatic correction techniques,
- institutional support and long-term investment (adequate resources, infrastructure, and professional development),
- training of trainers and teacher training at universities abroad; and
- teachers’ response to training and how to effectively persuade them to allocate time for professional development.
You can watch the 5th seminar in Greek on Center for Teaching & Learning @ UniWA youtube channel: