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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,
21
st
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
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