By:

Abstract

This paper reports on an analysis carried out in order to expose a number of problems with the current Greek Higher Education. Amongst other problems, the paper highlights the following:

• the paternalistic role and influence of the state;
• central but incoherent educational policies;
• lack of evaluation policies;
• poor educational funding and spending;
• unclear and contradicting policies towards private and public education.

In this paper it is argued, that these problems stem, primarily, from internal forces like politics, economics, social issues and technological changes which hold the educational system back and hostage. Moreover, recent changes in European Union (EU) policies, e.g. Bologna process, towards education escalate the detriment of the system by amplifying the problems and making resolutions an urgent necessity.

EU policy aspires in creating a European Higher Education Era. In this Era the primary objective is to create a Higher Educational System capable of competing in the global education market. Instrumental in this metamorphosis are processes like student mobility (internal to EU), international student mobility, and inclusive Higher Education aiming at accommodating the various cultures of EU. To facilitate and foster such changes, the rapid adoption of learning technologies and appropriate pedagogies (constructivist paradigm, network learning, etc) associated with these technologies is crucial.

The paper discusses how such changes in the Greek Higher Education System will help it compete successfully in this new era. Such changes will allow the Greek Educational System to take opportunities of Greece geographical location and geopolitical position in Southeast Europe and to keep pace with its partners in the EU. Moreover, these changes will further enable Greece to champion changes in the neighbouring countries of South East Europe.

Stream: Community, Culture, Globalisation, Other or Stream Unspecified

Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Research Interests
An Investigation into Multicultural Constructivist Online Learning Environments to Complement Traditional Teaching

PhD Title: An investigation into multicultural constructivist online learning environments to complement traditional teaching

Teaching Interests: information systems modelling, design and development; database design and implementation; information systems project management; computer mediated communication (CMC) issues and technologies; organisational theory, new forms of organisations and work; computer supported collaborative work (CSCW).
Research Interests: instructional systems design; web based learning environments for active and distance learning; computer-supported collaborative work environments (e-business, intranets and extranets); computer-mediated communication; networked learning; information systems analysis; information and data modelling.

His role within SEERC is to support the development of the centre’s research agenda by directing the generation and production of research proposals for the Information Technology Research Track as well as with the management, coordination and submission of new project proposals and the overall project management and successful completion of all R&D projects. Also as an Academic Coordinator of the SEERC doctoral programme is responsible for the academic issues of the doctoral programme. Dr. Paraskakis has publications in various Computers and Education conferences (ITS, CAL, PEG, EARLI) and he is a member of the Artificial Intelligence and Education Society (AIED), European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) and IEEE.



Research Interests
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), Teaching Strategies in ITSs, ICT, Computer Algebra Systems, Learning and Teaching Technologies

Publications

Paraskakis I., Rethinking the teaching of differential equations through the constructivism paradigm, Paper in the proceedings of the 3rd IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, Athens July 9-11, 2003

Georgouli K., Paraskakis I., Authoring an Adaptive Web-based Tutor, paper in proceedings of PEG 2003, St. Petersburg, June 2003

Georgouli K., Paraskakis I., Guerreiro P., A Web Based Tutoring System for Compilers, Paper in the proceedings of the 14th EAEEIE Annual Conference on Innovation in Education for Electrical and Information Engineering (EIE), Gdansk Poland 16th – 18th June 2003

Paraskakis I., Rethinking teaching of differential equations: the case of TeLoDe Paper in the proceedings of CAL 2003 conference, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, 8-10 April, 2003