“LIGHT” Erasmus Intensive Programme 14-25 June 2010

1. “LIGHT”Erasmus Intensive Programme 14-25 June 2010 UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA GREECE

2. Coordinator: UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA, GREECEPartners: UNIVERSITY OF NAPLES: ITALY UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS: CYPRUS UNIVERSITY OF EINDHOVEN: THE NETHERLANDS LINNAEUS UNIVERSITY: SWEDEN UNIVERSITY OF MINHO: PORTUGAL ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE (A COLLEGE OF DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY): IRELAND

3. Main objectives of the erasmus sub-programme • To improve the quality and to increase the volume of student and teaching staff mobility throughout Europe. • To improve the quality and to increase the volume of multilateral cooperation between higher education institutions in Europe. • To increase the degree of transparency and compatibility between higher education. • To improve the quality and to increase the volume of cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises. • To facilitate the development of innovative practices in education and training at tertiary level, and their transfer, including from one participating country to others. • To support the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning.

4. The “LIGHT” project • The “LIGHT” project is a basis for the development of common undergraduate curricula since it will develop one of them. • It promotes co-operation between Universities and Enterprises, as science museums, science centres and environmental parks under the scope “science for all citizens” • Aims to invest on ICT affordances for interactive communication through a website, using teaching of light for exchanging experiences and innovative ideas relating to science content, services, pedagogies and practices, materials, and equipment.

5. The “LIGHT” project • brings a high contribution to the area of cultural studies of science education. • gives evidence of full recognition and credits to the activities by the participating institutions. • presents a strong multidisciplinary approach (“hundred skills” approach). This approach grasps the gap between science and culture. • uses ICT tools and services (website and dvd) to support the preparation and follow-up of the Intensive Programme. • It has strong multidisciplinary approach-cooperation of different HEI departments, as includes i)science education, ii)environment, iii) state of the art technology (website, dvd, technologies of light) and iv)languages (myths for light, words, etc.).

6. Multidisciplinarity • University of Naples has expertise in outdoors science education. • University of Ioannina does scientific research on the innovation of using cultural-historical-activity theory (CHAT) in Science Education. • University of Eindhoven is building a CHAT network in Europe. • University of Cyprus has expertise in psychological approach on science education. • University of Minho has expertise in Biology Education and school science textbooks. • Linnaeus University uses the concept of “Nature of School Science” (NOSS). • The College of Dublin City University has expertise to open and distance learning in science teacher education.

7. IP “LIGHT” • Participation: 3 teachers and 7 students from each University. • Duration of the IP: 10 days (12 days of stay). • Language of the IP: English. • Target groups: Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher students and Science Teachers (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, etc.). • Activities: 2 weeks,7 Students and 3 Teachers from each University participate in: • interactive activities • simulated cases discussions • multidisciplinary approaches of “hundred skills” on most relevant case-studies • round-table and plenary discussions • lectures from Teachers and Professionals of the relevant field • Benefits:The I.P. program will award students participating in the project with 5 ECTS and 3 or more didactical units. The I.P. will be included as one of the courses into the diploma.

8. Aims And ObjectivesLIGHT I.P. Program Aims to: • Encourage efficient and multinational teaching of the topic of “Light (fundamental scientific topic in all sciences Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, etc.) • Enable students and teachers • to work together in multinational groups • to gain new perspectives on the topic of “Light”. • Allow the teaching staff exchange views • on teaching content • new curricula approaches • on testing teaching methods in an international open classroom environment.

9. Objectives of the LIGHT I.P. • Contribution to the development of quality university (tertiary) teacher education to promote high performance, innovation and a European dimension in systems and practices in science education. • Support to the realisation of a European area for cultural studies in science education by the use of cultural-historical-activity theory. • Improve the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of the opportunities of ERASMUS project within member states. • Reinforce the contribution of ERASMUS project to social cohesion, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, gender equality and personal fulfilment.

10. Support innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for teaching and learning. • Reinforce the role of ERASMUS project • Create a sense of European citizenship based on: • understanding • respect for human rights and democracy • encourage tolerance and respect for other peoples and cultures. • Promote co-operation in quality assurance in all sectors of education and training in Europe by using apparatuses in all sectors of education and training.

11. Outputs of the project • PARTNERSHIP (New or extended European partnerships). • EXPERIENCE (Experience gained by individuals, Experience gained from town-twinning, cultural events). • METHODOLOGY (Increased knowledge of the participants within a certain field and topic). • PRIORITIES (Pedagogical Strategy, Plan for educational activities • CURRICULUM.An innovative curriculum about the topic of “LIGHT” • WEBSITE ( http://erasmus-ip.uoi.gr/)The modular website will be used to spread the results of the IP. • A CD/DVD with the IP content will be widely distributed. • A short film entitled ‘Day Out’ dedicated to those with special needs and connected with Special Olympics 2011.

12. Group of Ioannina Tuesday 15/06/2010 21:00-23:30 Practice work in the field of LIGHT-Observing the night sky in the University Campus of Ioannina through special equipment. – National Observatory of Athens. Wednesday 16/06/2010 10:30 1st WORKSHOP – Leader: University of Ioannina. Friday 18/06/2010 21:00-23:00 Practice work in the field of LIGHT- Observing the night sky in the University Campus of Ioannina through special equipment-Amateur astronomers. Saturday 19/06/2010 11:30-13:30 Video seminar-Field work in the University Campus of Ioannina-Sun observation-Amateur astronomers.

13. In the future…??? • Our proposal for the renewal IP in the academic year 2010-2011 has been accepted!!! • The renewal IP “LIGHT” is connected with the topic of Sustainability and brings a strong innovation in Science Education.

14. Enjoy your stay in the lovely city of Ioannina and… we are waiting for you next year!!!