ΕΝ_Meeting_Report_Trabzon_Nov_2012

7/29/2019 _Meeting_Report_Trabzon_Nov_2012

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Comenius Regio Project 2012-1-GR1-COM13-10099 2

East Macedonia Thrace Regional

Directory for Education (Greece)Trabzon Provincial Directorate of

National Education (Turkey)

ICTs in education and project-based learning:

Policies, Practices and Knowledge exchange

1st Partners Meeting

Trabzon, Turkey

18-22 November 2012

Meeting Report

Edited by: GKIOUROGLOU Charitomeni & TRKMEN Muhammet


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

MEETING REPORT

ANNEX 1: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

ANNEX 2: MEETING AGENDA


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PREFACE

In the framework of the new established Comenius Regio partnership between the

Regional Directory for Primary and Secondary Education of East Macedonia Thrace

(Greece) and Trabzon Provincial Directorate of Education (Turkey), the first partners

meeting took place in Trabzon from 18th to 22nd November 2012. In preparation of the

project ICTs in Education and Project-Based Learning (PBL): Policies, Practices and

Knowledge Exchange, the meeting provided a valuable opportunity for delegates from East

Macedonia Thrace and Trabzon to get to know each other, to exchange information about

their educational systems and the use of ICTs & PBL in their schools and to plan/distribute

project works and activities.

This meeting report summarizes the activities, discussions, group work and cross-

cultural interaction that took place on the meetings held on 19-21 November 2012. It is a

synthesis of the knowledge exchange between the two regions and the main decisions being

taken about the project. This successful meeting revealed the similarities and differences

regarding the use of ICTs and PBL in the educational systems of both regions and it will be of

great value in the coordination of future project activities.

We would like to thank the Trabzon Provincial Directorate of Education for hostingthe meeting and providing for the visiting Partners. We would also like to pinpoint the

willingness of the headmasters and teachers of the schools in Trabzon to discuss and answer

all questions of the visiting partners.

The list of participants is reproduced in Annex 1 and the meeting agenda in Annex 2.


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Meeting Report

The group of participants of the Greek partner arrived in Trabzon on Sunday, 18th

November 2012. The Greek group consisted of four members:

1. Mr. KOUROUMICHAKIS Apostolos, Senior Supervisor for Primary Education Scientificand Pedagogical Guidance of East Macedonia Thrace.

2. Mr. HATZOPOULOS Antonios, School Counsellor of Secondary Education in the fieldof Religious Affairs.

3. Ms. PATAPATI Effrosyni, Headmistress of the 3rd Gymnasium of AlexandroupolisDOMNA VISVIZI (one of the Local Partners).

4. Ms. GKIOUROGLOU Charitomeni, Teacher of English in Secondary Education, staff ofthe EMTh-RDE.

On Monday, 19th November, the Greek group met with Mr. TRKMEN Muhammet,

project manager of Partner 2 and they all visited Trabzon Provincial Directorate, where they

were welcomed by the Provincial Director, Mr. KIRBAC Tamer and his partners:

1. Mr. KOSE Ali, the Provincial Deputy Manager2. Mr. BOZKURT brahim, Chief Supervisor, Trabzon Provincial DirectorateMr. KIRBAC Tamer welcomed all participants and talked about the state-of-the art

in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Turkish education

system. He informed the participants that the FATIH Project in Turkey has equipped all

primary and secondary schools with interactive boards. Also, until the end of 2012, all

students in Turkey are going to be equipped with Tablet PCs in order to communicate easily

with the interactive board in the classroom and to study at home. The books of all school

subjects have been digitized and installed to Tablet PCs. Therefore, Turkish students wont

carry a heavy bag anymore. As far as training is concerned, all Turkish teachers and directorshave been trained in the basic principles of Informatics and in the specialized educational

use of the ICTs in the classroom. Regarding foreign language teaching, Mr. KIRBAC said that

English is taught from the 2nd grade of Primary School. Mr. KIRBAC expressed his concern

that teachers and directors should be very cautious in the use of ICTs and that they should

not underestimate traditional teaching and learning methodologies.


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Mr. BOZKURT brahim, the Chief Supervisor, took the floor and welcomed the

participants. He explained the role of the school counselors in Turkey, who have both

counseling and interrogative duties.

Mr. HATZOPOULOS Antonios greeted the participants and expressed his joy for

participating in the Regio Project. He described the role of the school counselors in Greece.

Mr. KOUROUMICHAKIS Apostolos greeted the participants and expressed his

certainty that during this partnership both regions will acquire useful knowledge from each

other and a new friendship will be established between Greek and Turkish partners.

When the meeting with Mr. KIRBAC Tamer was over, Mr. TURKMEN Muhammet led

the Greek group to the headquarters of the Provincial Directorate of Education, where the

meeting for the co-ordination of the Regio Project would take place. The Turkish work group

consisted of:

1. Mr. TRKMEN Muhammet, Project Manager, Trabzon Provincial Directorate.2. Mr. ABANOZOGLU Zekeriya, Headmaster of the Trabzon Social Sciences High

School.

3. Mr. AHN Paa Ali, Headmaster of the Bener Cordan lretim Okulu.


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4. Mr. YUZUNCU UFUK, Project Manager in Vocational Education, TrabzonProvincial Directorate.

5. Mr. AHN Erol,Project Researher/Teacher, Trabzon Provincial Directorate.6. Mr.DAMLACI Yunus Emre, Project Technical staff, ICT Coordinator,Trabzon

Provincial Directorate.

Mr. TRKMEN made a presentation on the Turkish Educational System and the

province of Trabzon. He described the structure 4+4+4 of the new educational system in

Turkey which established 12 years of compulsory education, separated in three levels: 4

years Primary, 4 years Lower Secondary and 4 years Upper Secondary Education. He also

described the aims of each level of formal and non-formal education in Turkey. Then, Mr.

TRKMEN informed the work group about the province of Trabzon in terms of size, local

activities and major sights. Moreover, he explained the duties of Provincial Education

Directorates in Turkey, which have administrational, human resource, training, budgeting,

research and inspection responsibilities. Finally, he gave statistical information about the

schools, pupils and projects in Trabzon. The Province of Trabzon has 977 schools with

321.244 pupils and 9.758 teachers. The EU LLP Programmes in Trabzon are 151 and, through

them, 742 teachers and 912 pupils have visited European countries. The total budget of

these programmes is 2.155.698,00 .

Ms. GKIOUROGLOU Charitomeni, member of the Coordinating Partner 1- EastMacedonia-Thrace, took the floor and made a presentation about the use of ICTs and

Project-based Learning (PBL) in Greek state schools and about the Regio Projects aims and

objectives. ICT use has been integrated into all levels of education and since 2001, via the

Cross-Curricular Single Framework for Study Programmes, ICT skills as cross-curricular skills

have been embedded in many subjects. Greek state schools are equipped with ADSL

broadband connections, school equipment and computer labs, and a lot of them are

equipped with interactive boards. Teachers in Greece participate in specialized In-service

Teacher-training in ICTs in 2 levels. Nearly all teachers were trained in Level 1, which trains

teachers in basic computer, Internet, e-mail and teaching skills using ICTs and educational

software. Nearly of state school teachers were certified in Level 2 training in more

specialized use of the internet, digital educational material, Web 2.0 and educational

software in education. She also referred to the major projects run by the Ministry of

Education: the National School Network (www.sch.gr) which interlinks all schools and


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administrative structures , the Educational Portal (www.e-yliko.gr) which is an electronic

bank of educational material, the development of Educational software for school subjects,

the Digital School (http://digitalschool.minedu.gov.gr) which is a portal with digitized

textbooks, learning & training material, and the Educational TV (http://www.edutv.gr). PBL

is used in Greek primary and secondary schools for the development of one-year-long

projects in Environmental, Health and Cultural Education. In primary education, the Flexible

Zone is a two hour per week group work for the development of a project regarding

themes, issues and problems of pupils everyday life. Moreover, since 2011, Research

Paper has been introduced as a new subject in the 1st grade of Upper High-School. Also, this

school year, new curricula with innovative teaching methodologies are pilot tested in state

schools across Greece.

In the second part of her presentation, Ms GKIOUROGLOU referred to the objectives

of the Regio Project, which are:

Exchange of knowledge regarding the state-of-the art of ICTs and PBL in the Greek &Turkish education system.

Exchange of quantitative and qualitative data regarding the use of ICTs and PBL inthe two regions.

Exchange of mutual experience and best practices in the field of ICTs and PBL.

Investigation of teacher training needs, organization Teacher training sessions ingroups of teachers.

The use of digital portfolios in school subjects. Improvement of the quality of teaching & learning.

The beneficiaries of the Regio Project will be: Education Directors, Teacher Trainers, Primary

& Secondary School Teachers and Pupils. The Regio Project objectives will be realized via

collection of good practices in the use of ICTs and PBL in schools across the 2 regions, day

events, training seminars/workshops and production of training material. Project

deliverables will be distributed via the Regio Projects official website, news releases,

publications and local project exhibitions. She also presented the main tasks of each Partner

and Local Partners and the arranged mobilities according to the Application Form. She finally

outlines the particular aims of the 1st Partners Meeting in Trabzon: the design of the logo,

the poster and the brochure of the Project, the development of the official Projects Website

and the Projects tasks and responsibilities.


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At noon, everybody enjoyed a meal in the Provincial Directorate Staff Restaurant.

In the afternoon, Mr. TRKMEN and the Greek group visited one of the Local

Partners, the Trabzon Social Sciences (upper) High School (TRABZON SOSYAL BLMLER

LSES), where they were welcomed by Mr. ABANOZOGLU Zekeriya, the Headmaster. Two

pupils of the 2nd grade, Ms.LERM Kardelen and Ms.TURAN rem joined the participants,

discussed with the Greek group in English language and helped the Headmaster in the

presentation of the school, translating in English. This good practice develops pupils

presentation and foreign language use skills, which are among the aims of the Regio Project.

During the presentation, the participants learned about the school: This school operates

since 2010 and it aims to specialize in different areas of Literature and Social Sciences. Pupils

sit examinations to enter the school and teachers are selected after evaluation. When pupils

are admitted to the school, they attend a preparatory grade, in which, among others, pupils

attend English classes 20 hours per week. The school offers accommodation and dormitories

to pupils from remote areas. Lessons start at 8.00 and finish at 15.00. There is a one-hour

break from 12.00-13.00, during which pupils can have lunch in or out the school premises

(provided they are allowed by their parents to leave school). When the presentation was

over, the Greek group was guided around the school and visited the classes, the dormitories,

the school canteen and the class that is used for lifelong adult learning. The Greek group had

the opportunity to enter a classroom of history that used the interactive board.


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Later in the afternoon, the Greek group and Mr. TRKMEN visited the Museum of

Trabzon, a former mansion of a very wealthy Greek money broker built in the early 20 th

century. In the basement, the group had the chance to marvel masterpieces of Greek

antiquity and Islamic art.

On Tuesday, 20th November, the Greek and Turkish group had a meeting in the

premises of Trabzon Provincial Directorate. The members of the Turkish group were:

1. Mr. TRKMEN Muhammet, Project Manager, Trabzon Provincial Directorate.2. Mr. UFUK YUZUNCU, Project Manager in Vocational Education, Trabzon Provincial

Directorate.

3. Mr. KAZANCI Mehmet, Schools Get Life Project Coordinator, Trabzon ProvincialDirectorate.

4. Mr.DAMLACI Yunus Emre, Project Technical staff, ICT Coordinator,Trabzon ProvincialDirectorate.

5. Mr. AHN Erol,Project Researher/Teacher, Trabzon Provincial Directorate.6. Ms. ARDA Bahar, Dyned Project Coordinator, Trabzon Provincial Directorate.7. Ms. KUL Lutfiye, Coordinator of the VET Info Center, Trabzon Provincial Directorate.


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Mr. HATZOPOULOS Antonios made a presentation about the Greek Education System,

the Regional Directorate for Education and the region of East-Macedonia Thrace (EM-Th).

He presented the major provinces of the region and their rich cultural heritage. He also

pinpointed the existence of the Muslim minority in the provinces of Xanthi and Komotini.

Then, he gave data regarding the schools, teachers and pupils of EM-Th. More specifically,

the schools of primary and secondary education operating in EM-Th are 1071, in which 6.668

teachers work and 72.567 pupils attend courses. He also made a reference to minority

education in the region. Moreover, he gave examples of the abundance of common cross-

cultural elements between Greeks and Turks in language, literature, religion, cooking, music

and folk dances, which show the strong relations of the two countries.

The two groups opened a discussion about the main themes, tasks and

responsibilities of the project stemming from the contracts.

The first issue brought up was the development of the projects logo, poster and

brochure. Each group presented its ideas and the following decisions were taken: in around

10 days each team should present samples of the projects logo, poster and brochure. The


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programmes that are going to be used are: PHOTOSHOP for the logo and the poster and

WORD PUBLISHER for the brochure.

The two groups agreed that the Turkish partner will open an account in

GOOGLE.DRIVE, in which the Greek partner will also have full access, in order to post and

exchange project documents and files easily.

The Regio Projects Website will be created and administered by the Greek partner

co-coordinator using JOOMLA. Both partners will have an account in order to post relevant

material, make announcements etc. Therefore, the information flow will be easy and up-to-

date. The official language of communication is English. However, information in the native

languages (Greek and Turkish) of both regions should also be provided for better

dissemination of the projects aims and deliverables to Greek and Turkish stakeholders. Both

partners agreed that they will translate their deliverables in their mother tongue. Both

partners decided that as soon as the Greek partner will subcontract the website, the account

will be also given to the Turkish partner.

Regarding e-portfolio studies the Turkish group explained that it is developed in the

form of blogs for each student. These blogs are administered by the teacher and host

students projects and progress. E-portfolios are frequently used in Vocational Education and

they can be used as students CVs.

In the next mobility, a team of the Turkish partner will visit Greece, probably in earlyJanuary. Until then, progress will have been made in the development of the website. The

Turkish partner will have the opportunity to get to know the Greek education system and

visit schools of primary and secondary education. Then, both partners will set dates and

milestones for the mobilities to follow.

At noon, everybody enjoyed a meal in the Provincial Directorate Staff Restaurant.

In the afternoon, Mr. TRKMEN and the Greek group visited the second Local

Partner, the Bener Cordan Junior High School. The Headmaster, Mr. AHN Paa Ali,

welcomed everybody and guided the group to the school. The school has been operating

since 2001. Today, the school is in a transition period and has 1.600 students of primary and

low secondary education. Due to the new structure of the Turkish education system

(4+4+4) this school will gradually become a low secondary school (4+4+4). The school

is crowded and each classroom has 40 pupils on average. The Greek group entered a 2nd

grade classroom, talked with the teacher and took photos.


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Then, the Greek group was led to the schools Principal Hall and watched the schools

presentation by two school teachers, Ms. AKSOY Nkhef, teacher of Informatics and Mr.

UZUN Oktay, teacher of English. Then, the Parents Association of the school offered a buffet

with traditional Turkish dishes which everybody savored, while discussing about school

issues.

Wednesday, 21th November, was the day dedicated to cultural activities. Mr.

TRKMEN guided the Greek group to the Sumela Monastery, a miracle of Trabzons cultural

heritage that thrived in Byzantine times. The team hiked to the Monastery and enjoyed the

magnificent view of the mountainous landscape. Then, the team returned to the city of

Trabzon and visited Ataturk Pavilion in the hills of Trabzon. The next site was Hagia Sofia

Museum, which was an Orthodox Christian church in Byzantine times. After lunch, the group

paid a visit to the Kanuni Anadolu Lisesi, the former Frontistirion Trapezountos, a school

for Greek expatriates built in early 20th century. The Greek group had the opportunity to

walk around the school, to marvel the beautiful architecture, to discuss with the Headmaster

and to take photographs.


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In the evening, the Turkish group and the Greek group enjoyed dinner at the Cephanelik

restaurant, a historic building in the hillsides of Boztepe, Trabzon. The Turkish team kindly

gave presents and certificates to each member of the Greek group. Everybody thanked one

another for the excellent welcome, hospitality and cooperation. New friendships have been

established.

The Greek group left Trabzon on Thursday, 22nd November in the morning, feeling

gratitude for the Turkish hospitality and having acquired new knowledge that will be

distributed to their colleagues and partners in East Macedonia Thrace.


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ANNEX 1: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Turkish Working Group, Day 1 (19/11/2012)1. Mr. TRKMEN Muhammet, Project Manager, Trabzon Provincial Directorate2. Mr. ABANOZOGLU Zekeriya, Headmaster of the Trabzon Social Sciences High School3. Mr. AHN Paa Ali, Headmaster of the Bener Cordan lretim Okulu4. Mr. YUZUNCU UFUK, Project Manager in Vocational Education, Trabzon Provincial

Directorate5. Mr. AHN Erol,Project Researher/Teacher, Trabzon Provincial Directorate6. Mr. DAMLACI Yunus Emre, Project Technical Staff, ICT Coordinator,Trabzon

Provincial Directorate

Turkish Working Group, Day 2 (20/11/2012)1. Mr. TRKMEN Muhammet, Project Manager, Trabzon Provincial Directorate2. Mr. YUZUNCU UFUK, Project Manager in Vocational Education, Trabzon Provincial

Directorate

3. Mr. KAZANCI Mehmet, Schools Get Life Project Coordinator, Trabzon ProvincialDirectorate

4. Mr. DAMLACI Yunus Emre, Project Technical Staff, ICT Coordinator,TrabzonProvincial Directorate

5. Mr. SAHIN Erol, Project Researher/Teacher, Trabzon Provincial Directorate6. Ms. ARDA Bahar, Dyned Project Coordinator, Trabzon Provincial Directorate7. Ms. KUL Lutfiye, Coordinator of the VET Info Center, Trabzon Provincial Directorate

Greek Working Group (both days)1. Mr. KOUROUMICHAKIS Apostolos, Senior Supervisor for Primary Education Scientific

and Pedagogical Guidance of East Macedonia Thrace2. Mr. HATZOPOULOS Antonios, School Counsellor of Secondary Education in the field

of Religious Affairs3. Ms. PATAPATI Effrosyni, Headmistress of the 3rd Gymnasium of Alexandroupolis

(one of the Local Partners)4. Ms. GKIOUROGLOU Charitomeni, Teacher of English in Secondary Education, staff of

the EMTh-RDE.


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ANNEX 2: MEETING AGENDA

Comenius RegioProject

2012-1-GR1-COM13-10099 2

Title ICTs in education and project-based learning: Policies, Practices and

Knowledge exchange between EastMacedonia Thrace Regional Directory for Education(Greece) and Trabzon Provincial Directorate of National

Education (Turkey)

Date 18-22 November 2012

Host Institution TRDoNE- Trabzon Directorate ofNational Education

Hkmet Kona Kat:3

Merkez/TRABZON

Location of themeeting

Trabzon,TURKEY

Sunday18th November 2012Arrival Time:

18.40

Arrival of participants GreekPartner ( EMTh-RDE):Participants Name:Mr. KOUROUMICHAKIS ApostolosMr. HATZOPOULOS AntoniosMs. PATAPATI EffrosyniMs. GKIOUROGLOU Charitomeni

Welcome and transfer to the hotel

Arrival 18.40

Monday19th November 2012

09.45

10.15-12.00

Meet in the Hotel Loby and transfer to theTrabzon Provincial Directorate

10.15

Visit to the Provincial Diretorate:Welcome by Tamer KIRBA (Provincial

Director)

10.45

Ali KSE (Provincial Deputy Manager) Welcome

Muhammet TRKMEN: Host Institution

presentation (Turkish Education System andTrabzon)

11.15-12.00


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12.00-13.00

13.00-16.00

15.00-16-00

19.00

Ms. GKIOUROGLOU Charitomeni : Welcome andpresentation of project aims and objectives bythe coordinator

Mr. HATZOPOULOS Antonios: present visitor

organization and make a presentation of GreekEducation System

12.00-13.00

Lunch

13.00-14.30

Reviewing work programme as presented inproject application.

Visit to Partner SchoolSocial Sciences High SchoolPresentation of the Host School

Lunch together

Dinner


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Tuesday,

20th November , 2012

10.00-12.00

11.00-12.00

12.00-13.00

13.00-14.00

14.30-15.30

19.00

10.00-12.00Main themes/key project concepts Discussingthe tasks and responsibilities stemming from

the grant contracts, discussing managementand financial questions;

Website and platform: evaluation and use

13.00-14.00

Detailed planning of work until nextmeeting.

Questions, suggestions

Evaluation meeting and monitoring.

14.30-15.30

Visit to Partner School

Bener Cordan Junior High School

Presentation of the Host School

Lunch together

Dinner together:Special Dishes andAkaabat Meatball

Wednesday,

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November , 2012

Cultural activities

Cultural activities

09.30- 12.00Visiting Smela Monastry13.00-14.00

Visiting Hagia Sophia Museum14.30-16.00

Visiting Ataturk PavillionAnd Sightseeing to Boztepe Hill

Thursday, 22ndNovember , 2012 Departure Time: 09.45

Documents

ΕΝ_Meeting_Report_Trabzon_Nov_2012