International Symposium January 26 – 27 Athens, Greece

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

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

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

4. ICT in remote areas Equipment Infrastructure Training on ICT use Culture for ICT 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Rural schools and rural development 1 Rural Schools can help areas’ socio economic and cultural development if their relationship with local communities is strengthened 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 Promotion and dispersion of new ideas, beyond stereotypes, concerning multicultural societies, environment, gender equality etc. Participation in cultural activities

8. 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

9. 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

10. ICT from social point of view 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 HENCE they are a factor that affects social development

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

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

13. Tilos Island 1998 -1999 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

14. PROJECT ΣΧΕΔΙΑ - (RAFT) School Educational Network of the Aegean ICT in the schools of the small islands (< 3.000 inhabitants) of the Aegean 86 computers 46 primary schools 32 islands Education, Educational Material, Distance Education, Distance Support, Contests/Competitions www.rhodes.aegean.gr/sxedia

15. MUSE Project MUltigrade School Education 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) TarifaPrimary School (Spain) Vinturi Tastulan Pr.School (Finland) VeikoPrimary School (Finland) www.ea.gr/ep/muse www.rhodes.aegean.gr/muse

16. NEMED NEtwork of Multigrade EDucation 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

17. AIM: To study the function of rural schools in Europe and to report on the facts and possible policies on them www.nemed-network.ea.gr

18. 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

19. www.ellinogermaniki.gr/dias

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

21. 24 Partners  Training at school Training at work Training at home

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

23. Greek State Radio INTERNET School Greek Telecom University of Aegean Distant Teaching Material for Primary Schools

24. 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

25. World society is transformingfrom Information society into knowledge society.Technology is here; yet the road for changing ourviewsabout it is still very long . . .

26. Thank you very much !