Presenter's Notes
Nikos Bogiannidis

This is the greatest opportunity for Greek Schools in the Diaspora to develop a vision of 21st century education and to create engaging and effective learning spaces for their students. Today smart devices such as mobile phones and iPads are being used to take video, read books, listen to radio, watch television, book tickets and buy real estate. Teaching and learning are no exceptions to the rule.

Educators around the world are taking advantage of new and emerging technologies as they understand that children seamlessly integrate them in their daily activities for entertainment, communication, planning, learning, creating, sharing and even as an extension of their own memory. The reality is that teachers and books are no longer the only sources of knowledge. Students are connected; they learn from each other as well as from information stored in machines, virtual spaces and eBooks.

Clearly, teachers of Modern Greek language can no longer rely just on books or pen and paper to engage this generation of technology savvy students. In doing so, may result in an education system that prepares students for a world that is already obsolete. That is, if students stay and do not leave Greek Schools in search for more engaging learning environments. 

However, it is not all doom and gloom. A plethora of technologies are available to transform traditional classrooms into exciting, engaging and effective learning spaces where teaching and learning of the Modern Greek language can come to life and once again flourish.

Existing Greek Schools need to develop a vision that opens the doors to current and future generations of digital native students. Educators should view teaching and learning as something that is not restricted to the four walls of the classroom and limited to three hours of instruction. Teaching and learning today can happen anywhere, anytime and at any pace. Unlike traditional schools, learning today goes to the students wherever they are, supporting their individual needs, interests and learning styles. 

Passionate and dedicated teachers who can type text, take photos, record a video or a sound clip can be easily taught how to create engaging learning spaces that expand beyond the classroom and made available to their students 24 hours for 7 days.  

Teachers of Modern Greek need to think deep but different. It is not a disadvantage to teach in after hours during the week or on a Saturday for three or four hours. This is can be treated as quality face-to-face time where teachers and students get together to refine and to learn new concepts through explicit teaching and active participation in authentic differentiated Greek language activities. Away from the classroom and the presence of the teacher, students are able to continue learning during the week through virtual learning spaces where they can read, listen view and interact with activities and each other. In such environments teachers and students are connected, their progress and time spent on tasks is measured, students receive immediate feedback and communication takes place in synchronous and asynchronous ways. Even eBooks, today, can bridge the gap between the Greek School and home. Teachers can design and produce eBooks as learning spaces by including elements to support students’ individual needs in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

It is time to turn the page and to create effective blended learning spaces for students wishing to learn Modern Greek. It is simple and easy.

Together, we can do it.

RESOURCES

University of Crete - eLearning Platform: 
http://elearning.edc.uoc.gr/moodle/

Greek Ministry of Education - iBooK Resources:
http://ebooks.edu.gr/new/allmaterial.php

Hellenic Museum - Highly Recommended
http://www.hellenic.org.au/

Time for change ...

Challenges: Space and Time

Modern Greek anywhere, any time any pace ...

Benaki Museum - Vision

Smart Classroom - Vision

What is your personal vision?
What is your School's vision?
If you don't have a vision. Create one...
Time for change ...

Η γλώσσα μας είναι το κλειδί της Ελλάδας 
Ελλάδα είσαι εσύ ...
Ελλάδα είμαι εγώ...
Ελλάδα είμαστε εμείς...

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Optimising learning spaces

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