The kickoff meeting of the INTELed project [INnovative Training via Embodied Learning and multi-sensory techniques for inclusive education] took place with great success on November 20-21, at the Cyprus University of Technology. The INTELed project, which is funded by the European Commission, is composed by four partners (Cyprus University of Technology, CESIE, University of Piraeus, University of Valladolid) in four countries (Cyprus, Italy, Greece, Spain).
Cyprus is represented by the Cyprus University of Technology through the Social Computing Research Center (Social Computing Research Center, https://www.socialcomputing.eu/), which has the responsibility for coordinating the project.
The Scientific coordinator of the project is Dr. Andri Ioannou, Assistant Professor at the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, and Director of the Cyprus Interaction Lab (CIL, https://www.cyprusinteractionlab.com/). The INTELed group from Cyprus is also composed of Dr. Yiannis Georgiou (Project manager), Prof. Panayiotis Zaphiris, Dr. Antigoni Parmaxi, and Dr. Despina Michael-Gregoriou from the Cyprus University of Technology, as well as external collaborators, such as Dr. Olga Lyra (Open University of Cyprus) and Dr. Agni Michael-Stylianou (University of Nicosia).
The main aim of the INTELed project is to support Special Education (SEN) teachers in acquiring knowledge and skills about the use of embodied and interactive multi-sensory techniques for learning and assessment, for addressing the needs of SEN children. In turn, the overarching goal of the project is the integration of these techniques in the school classrooms, thus contributing in students’ academic, social and emotional development.
The kickoff meeting began with an introductory speech by Prof. Panayiotis Zaphiris presenting the Social Computing Research Center (https://www.socialcomputing.eu/), which is the multidisciplinary research center of social computing of the Cyprus University of Technology; the center aims to address key societal challenges in various areas of key importance to Cyprus and EU, through the use of Social Science and ICT research.
Next, Dr. Andri Ioannou gave an introductory speech presenting the Cyprus Interaction Lab (https://www.cyprusinteractionlab.com/), which is the first lab of its kind in Cyprus dealing with topics in human computer interaction and educational technology.
During the main part of the meeting a sequence of different presentations took place in relation to the philosophy and the goals of the project by:
- Andri Ioannou, Scientific coordinator of the project (Cyprus University of Technology)
- Yiannis Georgiou, Project manager (Cyprus University of Technology)
- AlejandraMartínezMonés, Coordinator on behalf of the University of Valladolid in Spain
- Theofili Sbrini, MA, representing Prof. Symeon Retalis, Coordinator on behalf of the University of Piraeus.
- StefaniaGiambelluca, ΜΑ, on behalf of the Non-Governmental Organization CESIE in Italy
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In addition, during the kickoff meeting, the 4 partners had the opportunity to define the project’s framework as well as the timelines of the project, while they also discussed and exchanged their views, focusing on the best accomplishment of the INTELed project’s goals.
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The kickoff meeting concluded with the partners’ visit at the Cyprus Interaction Lab (CIL). During the visit, the CIL staff guided the partners at the CIL premises, while also demonstrating the available technologies and equipment.
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The next consortium meeting will take place on June 2018, at the University of Piraeus.
The INTELed European project is expected to be completed by the end of November 2019.
Stay tuned about all the news of the project and subscribe at the project’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/INTELedErasmus/, where the official website of the program will soon be announced.
