Transformative leadership for future-ready schools
9η ημερίδα SMART EDUCATION
«Transformative Leadership for Future Ready Schools»
A MICROSOFT SHOWCASE SCHOOL EVENT
Υπό την αιγίδα του ΥΠΑΙΘΑ
A Microsoft Showcase School Event
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports
Hundreds of teachers from Primary and Secondary Education in Greece and the Greek diaspora attended with great interest the 9th SMART EDUCATION conference, on the theme “Transformative Leadership for Future Ready Schools”, organized by Mandoulides Schools. The aim was to inform educators so they can provide their students with more tools to become protagonists of future developments.
The conference was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports and is part of the broader initiatives of Mandoulides Schools as a Microsoft Showcase School for the 10th consecutive year. Participation was free for teachers of Primary and Secondary Education in Greece and abroad.
Opening Addresses
- Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports
- Dimitrios Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance
- Clara Heppleston, Experienced EdTech Consultant at TA Education, Microsoft Showcase School Program Manager, Microsoft Advanced Trainer, MIE Expert, MCE
The program was curated, coordinated, and presented by Dr. Aspasia Chassioti, General Academic Director of Mandoulides Schools.
Dr. Chassioti, welcoming the teachers, emphasized that this year’s theme opens a new dialogue about the school of the future. Referring to the ten-year journey of Mandoulides Schools as a Microsoft Showcase School, she spoke about the need to integrate technology, innovative practices, and continuous teacher training to create dynamic and personalized learning environments. She stressed that leadership in the modern school is no longer limited to the principal but is a collective stance of all members of the school community. Future Ready Schools, she noted, create learning environments that leverage technology, enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy, while systematically investing in continuous teacher training.
She underlined that teachers act as everyday leaders and role models, while students take on active roles, proposing, collaborating, and cultivating leadership skills through group activities. She concluded that the true strength of the school of the future lies not in equipment or platforms but in people and their willingness to collaborate and create. “Technology is a tool, but the key is people,” she remarked. The school of the future will be distinguished by how many leaders, young and old, it has nurtured.
Minister Sofia Zacharaki, in her address, congratulated Mandoulides Schools for their innovation and international achievements. She stressed that schools must prepare for a rapidly changing future with leadership that responds to new challenges. She referred to the modernization of school equipment, teacher training, renewal of curricula and textbooks, and collaboration with Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI to integrate digital tools and artificial intelligence into education. She highlighted the need to develop skills such as resilience, flexibility, and digital literacy, and expressed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen digital and educational transformation.
Minister Dimitrios Papastergiou, after warmly thanking Mandoulides Schools for the invitation and years of collaboration, emphasized that education now concerns society as a whole, as it shapes tomorrow’s citizens. He noted that the role of the school has changed: information is readily available, and the real challenge lies in the ability to evaluate it and transform it into genuine knowledge. He focused particularly on artificial intelligence, the biases and inaccuracies it may produce, and the dangers of fake news and deepfakes, which require strong critical thinking and responsible digital literacy. He also referred to the need for European regulations and the importance of social media operating more safely for children. He stressed that cultivating soft skills, proper guidance from schools and parents, and adapting the educational system to new technological conditions are crucial. He concluded that investing in the new generation is the only path to shaping better, more conscious citizens. Address by Mr. Papastergiou
Clara Heppleston, EdTech Consultant and Microsoft Showcase School Program Manager, expressed her delight at participating in the conference and emphasized that the theme “Transformative Leadership for Future Ready Schools” lies at the heart of Microsoft Elevate’s philosophy. She praised Mandoulides Schools’ decade-long participation as a Microsoft Showcase School, highlighting the achievements of their educators—100 MIE Experts, 30 Microsoft Certified Teachers, and 3 new MIE Experts—as proof of substantial impact on the educational community. She noted that Mandoulides Schools are an international example of innovation, collaboration, and a culture of transformation, and urged the school to continue empowering teachers and students. Address by Ms. Heppleston
Part A – Keynote Presentations
- Panagiotis Kambylis, Project Adviser: “From digital tools to thinking and reflection – Supporting the digital capacity of European schools” In his speech, he emphasized the transition from the mere use of digital tools to the deeper cultivation of critical thinking, presenting ways in which schools can systematically strengthen their digital readiness. Speech
- Vasilis Oikonomou, ICT Education Consultant: “If the future is now, what does the School of the Future look like?” With this question, Mr. Vasilis Oikonomou, ICT Education Consultant and collaborator of the Informatics Laboratory of the Department of Primary Education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, presented an inspired approach to the school of tomorrow, where technology functions as a lever for creation and not merely as a supporting tool. | Speech
- Dimitris Sampson, Professor, University of Piraeus: “Digital transformation in school education in the age of Artificial Intelligence” Using examples from international academic experience, he analyzed the new prospects as well as the responsibilities created by the introduction of AI into education. | Speech
- Maria Filippi, General Director Vocational Education & Training, Eugenides Foundation: “From meta-skills to transformative competencies” She highlighted the need for a continuous educational continuum, capable of preparing students and teachers for the demands of the era of Artificial Intelligence. | Speech
- Dr. Daniela Vasile, Director of Learning, Dukes Education: “From running a school… to designing a learning compass” Her approach focused on how the administration of a school unit can design and shape a new model of learning orientation. | Speech
- Elena Zaglaridou, EMEA Regional Program Manager, Microsoft Elevate: “Redefining Education in the age of Artificial Intelligence – Tools and best practices” She provided practical examples of AI applications in the classroom, placing emphasis on solutions that can be adopted immediately. | Speech
- Achilleas Kotrozos, Independent Consultant: “Teams and human systems – A perspective from business and team sports” He emphasized the similarities between the school community, businesses, and high-performance teams. | Speech
- Professor Georgios Doukidis, Athens University of Economics and Business: “Innovation and new entrepreneurship in Greece” His speech highlighted the dynamism of Greek entrepreneurship and the role of education in creating innovation ecosystems. | Speech
- Evdoxia Psalti, Senior in Microsoft’s AI Applied Engineering Organization: “Harnessing AI to transform learning outcomes and institutional impact” She explained how the use of AI can improve not only learning outcomes but also the overall functioning of an educational organization. | Speech
Student interventions were also included, with contributions from high school students Christos Vasileiou, Athanasios Zachos, Sotiris Kouvelas, Areti Makedou, Chrysanthi Boutari, and Margarita Samozi-Kaligatsi.
Part B – Practical Workshops
Participants exchanged views and experiences with educators who have integrated Microsoft technologies into their teaching, including tools such as Learning Accelerators (Reading Progress, Search Progress, Speaker Coach, Copilot & Copilot Studio), MagicSchool AI, and Canva.
Speakers included:
- Nicos Paphitis: “From Box to Classroom in Minutes: Simplifying Student 1:1 Device Setup and Management”
- Dimitris Primalis: “Why is innovation lost in translation? From theory to the classroom”
- Victoria Chondrouli: “Transformative Leadership: Leveraging Microsoft tools for an innovative, collaborative, and flexible school”
- Ioannis Anapliotis: “Teaching in the age of AI (Practical guidelines and tools)”
- Maria Papadopoulou: “Leadership and Innovation in Education: Transforming the School of the Future”
- Pavlos Komianos: “The Notebook as a tool for language lessons”
- Ioannis Soudias: “Canva Code AI as a tool for creativity and interaction in the educational process”
- Giorgos Stefanidis: “Learning without Limits: Collaboration, Personalization, and Feedback with OneNote & Teams”
- Aikaterini Karamanoli (with student Eirini Chaviaropoulou): “Learning… one block at a time! Minecraft in the elementary classroom”
Microsoft Showcase School Recognition
Mandoulides Schools are one of eight schools in Greece selected by Microsoft as a Microsoft Showcase School for the 10th consecutive year.
- 100 teachers have been distinguished as Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts.
- 10 teachers have earned the title of MIE Trainer.
- 30 teachers are Microsoft Certified Educators (MCE).
- 3 teachers have been awarded the title of Microsoft Innovative Educator Fellow.
As a Microsoft Showcase School, Mandoulides Schools serve as a model for other schools in the community, with the vision of making the smart, modern school a reality for all.
Microsoft Showcase Schools
- Mandoulides Schools is 1 of 8 schools in Greece selected by Microsoft as a “Microsoft Showcase School” for the 10th consecutive year.
- A total of 100 educators from Mandoulides Schools have been recognized as Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts.
- 10 teachers have earned the title of MIE Trainer and 30 educators have achieved Microsoft Certified Educator certification, while 3 teachers have been awarded the distinction of Microsoft Innovative Educator Fellow.
- As a Microsoft Showcase School, Mandoulides Schools serve as a model institution for other schools within the Microsoft community, sharing the vision of making the concept of a smart and modern school a reality for all.
2024 - Generative AI reshaping education
Hundreds of teachers from primary and secondary education in Greece and from Greek communities abroad attended with great interest the 8th SMART EDUCATION Conference, titled “Generative AI reshaping education”, organized by Mandoulides Schools on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
The purpose of the event was to inform educators about how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming and reshaping education.
The conference, which is part of the broader activities of Mandoulides Schools as a Microsoft Showcase School, was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, and with the support of the Municipality of Thermi and the Municipality of Pylaia–Chortiatis.
Distinguished representatives from the state, education, the scientific community, innovative companies and organizations shared their knowledge and experience with nearly 300 teachers from schools across Greece and the Greek diaspora, exploring the potential applications of AI technologies in education.
Educators were informed about tools that provide personalized learning experiences tailored to the needs of each student.
They attended presentations of successful educational programs already implemented in schools and discussed issues related to AI ethics and its impact on education and society.
At the same time, participants learned about opportunities for networking and collaboration among educators, EdTech companies, academic institutions, and experts in Generative AI, as well as about new professional opportunities emerging from the enhancement of AI-related knowledge and skills.
The event was curated, coordinated, and presented by Dr. Aspasia Chasioti, General Director of Mandoulides Schools and High School Principal.
In her introduction, Dr. Chasioti referred to the changes Artificial Intelligence has brought to every aspect of human activity, including education, since its “breakthrough” into public awareness in late 2022. She stated: “Indeed, Generative AI has countless potential uses. It can automate the processing of information and the presentation of results across all basic symbolic representations of human thought. It allows the delivery of final outcomes and frees people from certain categories of lower-level thinking skills.
It can even write a paragraph in the style of Nikos Kazantzakis, on the topic “The Future of Artificial Intelligence through Kazantzakis’s Eyes”, in less than 30 seconds.”
Opening Addresses Dr. Aspasia Chasioti
Greetings were extended by Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Stratos Simopoulos, Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki, Mr. Ignatios Kaitezidis, Mayor of Pylaia–Chortiatis, and Mr. Giannis Anastasopoulos, Industry Sector Lead in Education | Greece, Cyprus & Malta | Microsoft Hellas.
“I perceive Artificial Intelligence as my digital assistant — someone who can do the things that are tedious for me to do myself. What can Artificial Intelligence do for education? I believe it can do a lot. Not all children are at the same level, nor do they all have the same needs. AI can compose specialized educational programs tailored to each student’s individual learning profile, so that every child receives what they truly need, or gets help where they fall behind. The lives of both teachers and students can become much richer in learning experiences through the proper use of Artificial Intelligence. However, we must be careful to live our lives genuinely — not as a simulation through our screens. What differentiates humans is that AI can do many things better than us, but it cannot feel.” Among other things, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, emphasized in his greeting.
Address by Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou
Mr. Simopoulos, after commending Mandoulides Schools for their initiative, stated among other things: “The presence of teachers is irreplaceable, though their teaching practices will certainly evolve. The role of educators will remain crucial, while the tools provided to them will enable them to make their work more meaningful, reduce bureaucracy, and identify the areas where their students face difficulties.”
Address by Mr. Stratos Simopoulos
“Education must indeed be reformed and, to a large extent, adapted to new modern realities — and it must do so with a pace faster than the very developments themselves.
Knowledge, flexibility, willpower, and lifelong learning — without fear but with a creative mindset — these are the tools we, as societies, possess to move forward.” Mr. Ignatios Kaitezidis, Mayor of Pylaia–Chortiatis, stated in his greeting, after congratulating Mandoulidis Schools for this particular initiative.
Address by Mr. Ignatios Kaitezidis
“The nature of education has always been – and must remain – human-centered at its core. Therefore, we must constantly explore how we can collectively and responsibly leverage Artificial Intelligence, as with any other technological evolution, to improve teaching practices – aiming today for the classroom of 2030, tomorrow for the classroom of 2040, and so on. I encourage you to embrace new technologies and explore the opportunities they offer for education.
Generative AI can help us create a more personalized, effective, and inclusive learning environment. Let us work together to prepare our students for the future, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in a digital world.” Mr. Giannis Anastasopoulos, Industry Sector Lead in Education | Greece, Cyprus & Malta | Microsoft Hellas, emphasized.
Address by Mr. Giannis Anastasopoulos
The first part of the conference featured distinguished speakers who addressed crucial aspects of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on education.
Mr. Spyros Doukakis, President of the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP), Assistant Professor at the Department of Informatics, Ionian University, presented the topic:
“Artificial Intelligence and Education: Expectations and Concerns.”
Mr. Vangelis Karkaletsis, Director of the Institute of Informatics & Telecommunications at NCSR “Demokritos”, Member of the High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, presented the topic: “Artificial Intelligence in Education: Ethical Challenges and Opportunities.”
Mr. Dimitris Sampson, Professor and Director of the MSc Program “E-Learning” at the Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus,
presented the topic: “The Human-Centered Digital Future of Education: Opportunities and Challenges in the Use of AI in School Education.”
Ms. Theodora Varvarigou, Professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), spoke on the topic:
“GenAI and Digital Education: The Coursera Case.”
Mr. Dimitris Lakasas, CEO of Olympia Electronics S.A.,
delivered a presentation on: “Artificial Intelligence and Education 4.0.”
Ms. Ana Mutak, Industry Advisor for the Education Sector at Microsoft Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, spoke on: “Transforming Education with AI.”
Mr. Vasilis Oikonomou, Educational Informatics Consultant,
delivered a talk titled: “Reshaping the Landscape of Education: Generative AI from Theory to Practice – New Prospects and Applications.”
Mr. Giorgos Nikoletakis, CEO of 100mentors, presented on:
“Human Skills Is What You Need in the GenAI Era.”
Mr. Giannis Soudias, Primary School Teacher, spoke on: “Effective Prompts: Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence.”
Mr. Symeon Retalis, Professor at the Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of Kinems Inc, and Ms. Valeria Aloizou, Head of Education at Kinems, presented on: “Holistic Development and Learning through the Kinems Platform: Integrating Play into Education.”
Speech by Mr. Retalis and Ms. Aloizou
Dr. Lydia E. Kavraki, Noah Harding Chair, Professor of Computer Science, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Director of the Ken Kennedy Institute, Rice University (USA), delivered her presentation titled: “Generative AI: A Collaborative Partner for Scientific Discovery.”
Additionally, short interventions were made by the following students: Christos Gritsios (11th Grade), Dimitris Ignatiadis (12th Grade), Maria-Markella Seneki (12th Grade), and Marialena Tsiopoulou (10th Grade).
In the second part of the conference, participants had the opportunity to exchange views and experiences with educators who have already integrated Microsoft technologies into their teaching. They explored tools such as Learning Accelerators (Reading Progress, Search Progress, Speaker Coach, Copilot & Copilot Studio), as well as educational applications like MagicSchool AI and Canva, discovering how they can develop both their own skills and those of their students.
Presentations by Educators
Nicos Paphitis, ICT Teacher and Network Administrator, The Junior and Senior School, Cyprus,
MIE Expert, MIE Fellow, MIE Trainer, Global Minecraft Mentor
presented: “Navigating Generative AI: Empowering Students Through Understanding and Creation.”
Maria Filippi, Head of Informatics Literacy & Digital Education, Doukas School, MIE Expert, MIE Fellow,
spoke on: “Responsible Life Attitude – A Practical Guide to Human Intelligence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Konstantina Lazou, Educator, MIE Expert, and Evangelia Choleva, Educator, MIE Expert, presented: “The Exciting Journey into the World of Canvas!”
Konstantina Zervou, Primary School Teacher, Magic School AI Certified Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, presented: “Magic School AI.”
Maria Papadopoulou,
Educator, Deputy Principal of the Primary School, Head of Digital Education at Mandoulides Schools, Microsoft Certified Educator, MIE Expert, MIE Fellow, MIE Trainer, and Aikaterini Karamanoli, Educator, Microsoft Certified Educator, MIE Expert,
presented jointly: “Smart Agents, Smarter Learning: Transforming the Educational Process through Chatbots and Copilot.”
Georgia Tsoudi, Computer Science Teacher, presented: “Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Education: Using Machine Learning for Kids for Interactive Learning.”
Pavlos Komianos, Philologist, Microsoft Certified Educator, MIE Expert, MIE Fellow, MIE Trainer,
spoke on: “The ‘Wisdom’ of Artificial Intelligence: Can an AI System Designed for Language Teaching Assist Educators in the Instruction of Language and Literature?”
Evangelia Zerva, Educator, MIE Expert, and Georgia Fyntani, Educator, MIE Expert, presented: “Reading Coach and Learning Accelerators in the Classroom.”
2023 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Education
Mandoulides Schools organize online the 7th SMART EDUCATION workshop, on the topic: ” Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Education – Skills and Values in the Foreground “, on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
The workshop is part of the general actions of the Schools as Microsoft Showcase School for the 8th consecutive year and is addressed to teachers of Primary and Secondary Education in Greece and the Greek Diaspora.
AI has the potential to revolutionize education by transforming learning. By leveraging AI technologies, we can create personalized and adaptive learning experiences that meet the unique needs of each learner.
By embracing its potential, harnessing its benefits, and mitigating its risks, we can equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive in an AI-driven world.
With thoughtful integration and cooperation, AI can shape the future of education, empowering students, supporting teachers, and encouraging a more inclusive and more equitable learning environment.
As part of the workshop, participants will be informed by university professors, representatives of Microsoft and other innovative companies and organizations, researchers, and educators about :
- The integration of AI technologies in learning and teaching.
- The use of ChatGPT in education.
- The smart teaching methods that promote and increase interaction and ensure better collaboration between peers.
- The needs of the labor market.
- The importance of soft skills for the use of artificial intelligence.
- The ethical guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence.
- The leading role of values in school and social life.
- The Microsoft tools and their use in teaching.
In the first part of the workshop, the following will participate as speakers, among others:
- Yannis Anastasopoulos, Industry Sector Lead in Education, Greece, Cyprus & Malta, Microsoft Hellas
- Theodora Varvarigou, Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens
- Maria Gianniou, Empowerment & Leadership Coach, PhD, Corporate Trainer Founder of Lead From Within
- Christos Malliarakis, Dr. of Computer Science, Author, MIE Expert, MIE Trainer
- Dimitris Bertsimas, Boeing Professor of Operations Research and the Associate Dean of Business Analytics at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Byron Nicolaides, Founder of PeopleCert
- Vassilis Economou, Advisor to the President of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture
- Theodoros Papaggelis, Full Member of the Academy of Athens, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Philology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, President of the Centre for Greek Language
- Alexandros Papaspyridis, Senior Advisor, Microsoft, Asia
- Demetrios Sampson, Professor of the Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus
The workshop will be addressed by Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance.
Also, in Part B of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to exchange views and experiences with teachers who have integrated Microsoft technologies into their teaching (Office 365 tools: Teams, OneNote, OneDrive, Booking, SharePoint, Sway, Forms, FlipGrid, Minecraft EDU, etc.) and see how they can develop their own skills and those of their students.
Those interested in attending the workshop may register online HERE.
2022 - Reimagining education - The role of education in an ever-changing world
The 6th SMART EDUCATION Workshop – Webinar, on the subject: “Reimagining education – The role of education in an ever-changing world”, organized by Mandoulides Schools, will take place on Saturday, December 10, 2022.
The event is organized in the framework of the Microsoft Showcase School program for the 7th year running and is addressed to teachers of Primary and Secondary Education, both in Greece and abroad.
Redesigning education after the COVID-19 crisis requires a redefinition of what we knew so far, and a transformation based on students’ needs and labor market requirements.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technological innovation and digital transformation, which proves that through a crisis opportunities can be created and changes and innovative reforms can be processed faster.
According to an article published by the prestigious US research company McKinsey & Company, it is necessary to base the changes in the field of education on 4 pillars, so that students can keep up with the exponential rate of change in the 21st century:
- Core skills
- High-quality teachers and teaching
- Evaluation and Feedback
- Adapted educational systems to the performance, needs, and abilities of students
At the conference, they will participate as speakers, among others:
- Diana Ghazaryan, PMP, 2nd-degree connection, K-12 Industry Executive, Education, CEE Area HQ at Microsoft
- Dina Ghobashy, Senior Manager, Education Leadership at Microsoft
- Anna Diamantopoulou, President DIKTIO Network for Reform in Greece and Europe, Chair of the High-Level Group on the Future of Social Protection in the EU and of the Welfare State in the EU Members, former European Commissioner and; former member of the Greek government
- Vassilis Economou, Director of Informatics and Digital Education, Athens College | Hellenic – American Educational Foundation College
- Veroni Papatzimou, General Manager, People Services, KPMG Consultants
- Harry Anthony Patrinos, Adviser, Office of the Chief Economist, World Bank, Europe, and Central Asia
- Dimitrios Sampson, Professor, Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus
- Maria Spyraki, Member of the European Parliament
- Stratos Stratigakis, Educational Analyst
- Ilia Tzortzopoulou, Co-Founder, COO, Morphoses Skills Ltd
During the workshop participants will be informed by university professors, representatives of Microsoft and other innovative companies and organizations, researchers, and educators about:
- The necessity of changes in education
- Fostering technical and life skills by integrating new technologies into education
- Smart teaching methods and modern curricula with greater interaction between students and teachers and better cooperation between peers
- The role of Career Guidance and Counselling at School
- The labor market skill requirements
- The tools of Microsoft and their utilization in teaching.
Registered teachers of Primary and Secondary Education will be able to join the live-streamed seminar via Livemedia as well as Facebook and the Youtube channel of Mandoulides Schools.
Certificates of attendance will be issued to all participants.
The workshop was held with the kind sponsorship of Microsoft and the support of the Municipality of Thermi and the Municipality of Pylaia – Chortiatis
2021 - 5G - Α new era for education
Mandoulides Schools organized the 5th SMART EDUCATION seminar on “5G – A New Era for Education” on Saturday, 13 November 2021.
The seminar is part of the general activities of the Schools as Microsoft Showcase Schools and is addressed to educators of Greece as well as the Greek Diaspora. It is offered free of charge and concerns the new era for education as shaped by the rapidly evolving new technologies.
Innovation in education is considered imperative. It is as important as students’ access to education in general. 5G is a promising tool aiming to provide more opportunities to students and render education accessible to everyone.
The contribution of 5G to education can really make a difference. By using 5G technology, every classroom and every school will be able to transform into an interactive learning environment, allowing a more engaging lesson to occur.
The introduction of new technologies, such as teaching with the aid of artificial intelligence, as well as the use of virtual and augmented reality and the promotion of STEM and robotics require faster and more reliable Internet connection along with less response time.
Since it can offer significantly higher Internet speed than 4G, 5G technology will provide educators and students with the necessary tools to reinvent learning procedures.
Among the seminar speakers were:
- Manos Varvarigos, Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens
- Stavros Dimitriadis, Professor, School of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Elena Zaglaridou, Education Future Skills Development Lead, Microsoft Central Eastern Europe
- Maria Mpoura, Director, Marketing, Communications, Government & Industry Relations at Ericsson
- Vasilis Oikonomou, Director of Informatics and Digital Education, Athens College | Hellenic – American Educational Foundation
- Marina Oikonomou – Lalioti, Professor of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Konstantinos Papadias, Executive Director of the Research, Technology & Innovation Network and Professor of Informatics, American College of Greece
- Chariton Polatoglou, Professor, School of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
During the seminar, participants were informed by University Professors, representatives of Microsoft and other innovative organizations and companies, researchers and teachers about:
- The necessity of changes in education
- 5G as the facilitator of the digital transformation of education
- Advantages vs disadvantages
- Development of technical skills along with life skills through the incorporation of new technologies in education
- Smart classrooms with new technologies, better interaction between students and teachers as well as better cooperation among peer students
- Microsoft tools and their beneficial application in teaching
In addition, they had the opportunity to share their opinions and experiences with other teachers who have incorporated Microsoft technologies in their teaching (Office 365 tools: Teams, OneNote, OneDrive, Booking, SharePoint, Sway, Forms, FlipGrid, Minecraft EDU, etc) and discovered how they can develop both their own and their students’ skills.
Teachers of primary and secondary education who registered for participation were able to join the live streamed seminar via Livemedia as well as Facebook and the Youtube channel of Mandoulides Schools.
- Certificates of attendance were issued to all participants.
The workshop was held with the kind sponsorship of Microsoft and the support of the Municipality of Thermi and the Municipality of Pylaia – Chortiatis.
Communication sponsors: Livemedia, Macedonia, Makthes.gr, Thessaloniki Press, TyposThes.gr, Status fm 107.7, viosimi.gr, GR Times.gr, KA-Business.gr and Economic Review/Greek business file.
2020 - Entrepreneurship education
Mandoulides Schools organized the 4th SMART EDUCATION seminar on: “Entrepreneurship education”, on Saturday, November 14, 2020.
The seminar is part of the general activities of our Schools as Microsoft Showcase Schools and it is supported by the Regional Directorate of Education of Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Thermi and the Municipality of Pylaia – Hortiatis.
It was addressed to teachers of Primary and Secondary Education and it concerned the promotion of entrepreneurship in primary and secondary education.
In the seminar, the following speakers participated:
- Vanessa Antoniadou, Teacher Engagement Manager, Microsoft Greece – Cyprus – Malta
- Markos Veremis, Upstream Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the Board
- Maria Gianniou, Empowerment & Leadership Coach | Corporate Trainer
- Grigoris Zarifopoulos, Deputy Minister of Digital Governance
- Kyriakos Loufakis, President of Alexandreia’s Innovation Zone
- Spiros Protopsaltis, Governon OAED
- Tasos Tzikas, President of the Board at Thessaloniki International Fair – HELEXPO S.A
- Giannis Chatzidimitriou, Rector of the University of Macedonia
During the seminar, participants were informed by university professors, representatives of Microsoft, other innovative companies and organizations, researchers and teachers about:
- The need for entrepreneurship education
- Innovative teaching methods and practices for promoting entrepreneurship in schools
- The cultivation of life and digital skills
- The role of new technologies in entrepreneurship education
- Microsoft tools
- Distance learning
In addition, they also had the opportunity to share their opinions and experiences with other teachers who have incorporated Microsoft technologies into their teaching (Office 365 tools: Teams, OneNote, OneDrive, Booking, Sharepoint, Sway, Forms, etc.) and see how they can develop both their own skills and those of their students.
Teachers of primary and secondary education joined the seminar through Livemedia as well as through Facebook and the Youtube channel of our School.
Certificates of attendance were given to the participants who joined both parts of the seminar.
The seminar was held with the kind sponsorship of Microsoft and Eurobank.
Media Sponsors: Livemedia, Macedonia, Makthes.gr, Thessaloniki News, TyposThes.gr and Status fm 107.7.
2019 - Gamification & Education
Mandoulides Schools held the seminar “Smart Education” on Saturday, 9 November, 2019 on the Junior–Senior High School premises (12th km. National Road Thessaloniki – Ν. Μoudania).
The seminar is part of the actions of Mandoulides as a Microsoft Showcase School. It is supported by the Regional Directorate of Education of Central Macedonia, the Department of Educational and Social Policy of the University of Macedonia and the Informatics and Robotics Lab, the Municipality of Thermi, the Municipality of Pylaia – Hortiatis, RobotixLab, Eduact and Technokids/Technoplus.
During the seminar participants were informed by specialists, university professors, representatives of Microsoft and other innovative companies, researchers and teachers about:
- The integration of gamification into education
- Serious Games
- The dangers of video games
- Microsoft tools
- The value of programming in our lives
In addition, participants had the opportunity to exchange views and experiences with teachers who have integrated Microsoft technologies into their teaching (Office 365, Teams, OneDrive, Minecraft, Skype, Learning Tools, etc.) and they also attended workshops where they were able to see how they can develop both their own skills and their students’.
The seminar was courtesy of Microsoft, Eurobank, Koumentakis & Associates – Law Firm, Samaras & Associates S.A. – Consulting Engineers, and Dotsoft.
Media Sponsors: Livemedia, Makedonia, Makthes.gr, Typos Thessalonikis, TyposThes.gr and Status FM 107.7
2018 - Τechnology and Innovation in Education
Mandoulides Schools held the 2nd Smart Education seminar as part of their actions as a Microsoft Showcase School on Saturday 10 November, 2018. It was addressed to teachers of Primary and Secondary Education and dealt with the integration of technology and innovation in education.
During the seminar participants were informed by specialists, university professors, Microsoft and other innovative companies’ representatives, researchers, and teachers about:
- The integration of new technologies into education
- The value of programming
- Robotics at school
- Internet security
- Microsoft tools
- The General Data Protection Regulation
The meeting took place with the support of the School of Informatics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Municipalities of Thermi and Pylaia – Hortiatis, and Alexander Innovation Zone S.A.
2017 - Transforming Education
Teachers and executives of educational organizations had the opportunity to attend a very interesting workshop on the weekend of 11 and 12 February. At the workshop, which was organized by Mandoulides Schools in collaboration with Microsoft Hellas, participants had the opportunity to become acquainted with Microsoft’s innovative educational tools (OneNote, Office Mix, Sway), be informed by the representatives of the company about the Microsoft Innovative Educators Experts program and come into first contact with integrated IT educational management systems.
Mandoulides Schools – one out of three Microsoft Showcase Schools in Greece – plan to multiply this kind of actions in order to contribute to the dissemination of educational innovation and to the formation of an intelligent, interactive and creative school.
