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Preface to the Proceedings |
Dear Friends,On behalf of the Scientific Committee, we extend a very hearty welcome to all presenters and participants of our 13th annual International Conference on Information Communication Technologies in Education (ICICTE) 2012. Many have worked tirelessly to produce these Proceedings you are about to experience. From the first review of proposals, which is only the first step, to the thorough reading and review of full papers, followed by feedback for improvement, members of your Scientific Committee have given of their energies for months to effect the contents of this document. It was Dr. Linda Morris, however, who managed the Herculean task of painstakingly organizing, editing, and polish editing the entire volume. A huge round of applause is extended to her. Of course, without that rare combination of artistic and technical professional talent of Dr. Ġorġ Mallia (Communications Coordinator and Chair, Publications and Promotion Committee) not only the Proceedings but also the entire website would be lacking its vital virtual presence. Do feel free to approach any of us at the conference. We are always on the look-out for recommendations for improvement and of course delight in face to face sequels to complement virtual colleagueships already begun.As you journey through the Proceeding you will likely capture the flavor of this annual event that draws colleagues from many diverse countries and continents and from an array of disciplines. Whether you are or have been in Rhodes with us or are reading these Proceedings from afar, long after the conference has concluded, we urge you to reach out to the presenters with whose paper you find resonance. Much common ground and many partnerships have formed at these conferences each year. We hope that many of you will already begin thinking about submitting a proposal for next year’s gathering.This year we welcome back the renewed partnership with the University of the Aegean and Dr. Costas Tsolakidis, and welcome forward our fruitful collaboration with Southampton Solent University (UK), represented by Dr. Chris Barlow, who chairs the Steering Committee, along with the support of the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Canada, represented by Dr. Greg Anderson who chairs the Scientific Committee.New also this year is the seal of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, meaning that for the first time the ICICTE conference is being held under the aegis of UNESCO. ICICTE embraces UNESCO’s vision regarding the role of professional collaboration and dialogue in contributing to peace and to the further development of humanity and society. Equally consistent with the ideas and values behind the founding of UNESCO, the conference provides an environment for the “free exchange of ideas and knowledge” fostering “mutual understanding of each other’s lives” … key elements of UNESCO’s charter and constitution. We also encourage you to visit the medieval city of Rhodes, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Given that in 1954 UNESCO adopted as its emblem the Pallas Athena, recognizing the importance of wisdom, what better place than Greece to have a conference such as ICICTE under the aegis of UNESCO.Despite these new and meaningful advances, one crucial matter has remained constant throughout the 13 years in which the conference has been in existence. Nancy Pyrini’s indefatigable committed efforts as Conference Director par excellence not only in organizing and shepherding all conference matters, but in creating a global self-sustaining learning community with deep and stable roots in educational, scientific, and cultural terms… of course along with her eminently able management associate George Sarrigeorgiou.Enjoy the conference, find richness in the Proceedings, and come grow with us!
Marcie Boucouvalas, Ph.D.
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