AESTIT Partners

AESTIT - a presentation in brief

The AESTIT project is a formal project within the framework of SOCRATES – COMENIUS 2.1 European Union program. The proposal for this project to the European Commission was submitted by P. G. Michaelides from The University of Crete who acts as project coordinator. A paper on a similar title, presented at the Computer Based Learning in Science (CBLIS 2003) conference is the basis of the AESTIT project.

The aim of the project is to develop an Affordable, Sustainable and Efficient In-service Training scheme for the Science Teacher. This scheme is based on two axes:

• face-to-face training courses focused on the teaching of the recent theoretical paradigms on the Science teaching and the relevant supporting pedagogical principles.
• INTERNET supported training courses to be used by Science teachers and specialised scientists in the area of Science Teaching.

The training courses developed will be:

• short informal training courses focused on specific issues.
• long informal training courses of a duration of at least 30 teaching hours in which a specific topic will be studied in depth.

The focus of the project is on the promotion of the collaboration and cooperation between teachers, schools and institutions involved in Science education, in Science teaching and in Science Teaching education.

The fundamental philosophy is that:

• learning in Science can be developed and enhanced through the sharing of knowledge and best field practice experience of different groups involved in such activities.
• Science education is more effective when scientific knowledge is related to everyday life observations.
• Science learning is extended when Hands on Science processes are involved. On this aspect there is a rich inventory from Hands on Science, a Comenius 3 project. It is planned to extend and build upon this inventory.
• the use of new technologies, of new materials and of innovative teaching approaches is necessary for a modern understanding of Science.

A further objective is the establishment of a network of people including scientists, school-teachers and researchers to promote Science and Technology education. In this aspect membership consortium is open to other colleagues wishing to participate. This participation may be in any suitable form, for example:

• participation to the training seminars organized,
• organization of training seminars,
• contribution with ideas, materials, constructions, teaching approaches, ...
• contribution to the development of training seminars,
• assessment of the material produced,
• remarks, comments, suggestions on the outcomes of the project,
• etc.

P. G. Michaelides, B.Sc., Ph.D., LL.B.,
Professor at The University of Crete
January 2006