ICICTE 2025 – Conference Programme

 

Day 1 (July 8)   –  Day 2 (July 9)   –   Day 3 (July 10)

 

Day 1 – Tuesday, July 8, 2025

 

09:00 – 09:30

Hall Athina Main

 

Mobility Session

Begin your day with a short period of relaxation, mindfulness and reconnection. Taking a brief time out at the beginning of proceedings to stretch, breathe and train the mind to reconnect with the body.

(Please note: best not to join the session with a full stomach. Best if light, comfortable clothing is worn. Please bring a beach/bath towel with you).

Moderator: Shirley Cauchi, Malta

 

09:30 – 10:00 | Registration, Athina Lobby

 

 

10:00 – 11:30 | Welcome and Keynote

Hall Athina Main

 

WELCOME

Professor Ġorġ Mallia, University of Malta

 

INTRODUCTION OF THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Professor Emeritus Costas Tsolakidis, University of the Aegean, Greece

 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Robotics for a Blue-Green Future: CITIZEN SCIENCE FOR BETTER KNOWING THE OCEAN

Professor David Scaradozzi, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

 


11:30 – 12:00
| Coffee Break

Athina Lobby

 

 

12:00 – 13:30 | Concurrent Sessions

 

Session 1 – Marine Robotics and Sustainability in Education

Hall Athina Main

Moderator: Dr. Konstantinos Karampelas, University of the Aegean, Greece

 

RoboAquaria – Marine Robotics for Climate Education in Schools

Martina Morano, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

 

Engaging students in STEM and sustainability through RoboAquaria e-Learning

Vicky Vogiatzi, Innovade LI, Cyprus

 

Simulator UIFLow Virtual

Ivan Brčič, Ivan Bukić, Ana Sović Kržić, and Viktorija Smlatić, University of Zagreb, Croatia

 

From Loreto to the Sea: Piloting RoboAquaria in an Italian Primary School

Livia Alesi, Camilla Rossini, and Marta Paciotti, IC Solari Loreto, Italy

 

From Aegean Shores to School Floors: The RoboAquaria Pilot in Greece

Konstantinos Karampelas, Anastasia Pyrini, Georgios Sarrigeorgiou, and Konstantinos Tsolakidis, University of the Aegean, Greece

 

Learning Across Borders: Validating RoboAquaria’s Impact through European Pilot Results

Konstantinos Karampelas, Anastasia Pyrini, Georgios Sarrigeorgiou, and Konstantinos Tsolakidis, University of the Aegean, Greece

 

 

Session 2 – Immersive Environments for Environmental and Inclusive Education

Hall Ariadne

Moderator: Evangeline Marlos Varonis, PARAGON-eduTech, GREECE

 

MIRACLE – coMics and IllustRations Augmented to Tackle Climate Change in Primary Education

Nancy Pyrini, CleverBooks, Ireland; and Despina Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece

 

Visual Narratives that Teach: The Role of Print and Digital Comics as Educators

Ġorġ Mallia, University of Malta, Malta

 

A Window into Climate Change: Piloting MIRACLE in a Maltese Primary School

Mark Azzopardi, Victoria Spiteri, and Melanie Camilleri, MRC St. Paul's Bay Primary, Malta

 

Aligning the Affordances of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments with Learning Goals

Daniela Bicalho and João Piedade, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

 

 

13:30 – 15:30 | Lunch

Elia Restaurant

 

 

15:30 – 17:00 | Session 3 – Innovative Pedagogies for Digital & Media Literacy

Hall Athina Main

Moderator: Marcia Håkansson Lindqvist, Mid Sweden University, Sweden

 

AI Education Through Storytelling

George Gadanidis, Western University, and Janette Hughes, Ontario Tech University, Canada

 

From the Board to the Mind: The Role of Modern Board Games in Fostering Computational Thinking in Primary Education

João Piedade and Fábio Machuqueiro, UIDEF, Institute of Education, University of Lisbon, Portugal

 

Communication and Engagement Are Key – Academics’ Views of Opportunities and Challenges with Fully Online Asynchronous Teaching

Christine Armatas and Vikki Pollard, Australian Catholic University, Australia

 

Promoting Critical Thinking through the Newspiracy Project: Insights from Greece

Konstantinos Karampelas, University of the Aegean, Greece, Anastasia Pyrini, and Georgios Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece, Konstantinos Tsolakidis, University of the Aegean, Greece and Despina Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece

 

Head Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Digital Materials in Primary-School Science Laboratories in Greece

Konstantinos Karampelas, Nikolaos Raptis, and Maria Kouroutsidou, University of the Aegean, Greece

 

 

20:00 | Welcome Reception

Thalassa Restaurant

"ICICTE 25 Years: Celebrating Innovation, Community, and Change"

 

 

Day 2 – Wednesday, July 9, 2025

 

09:15 – 09:45

Hall Athina Main

 

Mobility Session

Begin your day with a short period of relaxation, mindfulness and reconnection. Taking a brief time out at the beginning of proceedings to stretch, breathe and train the mind to reconnect with the body.

(Please note: best not to join the session with a full stomach. Best if light, comfortable clothing is worn. Please bring a beach/bath towel with you).

Moderator: Shirley Cauchi, Malta

 

10:00 – 11:30 | Concurrent Sessions

 

Session 4 – Empowering AI Awareness in Higher Education – The OREO Project

Hall Athina Main

Moderator: Dr Mirela Pachou, The Laboratory of Law and Informatics (LLI), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GREECE

 

OREO: Operationalising Ethics and Rights in European AI Education

Mirela Pachou, The Laboratory of Law and Informatics (LLI), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; Despina Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece

 

OREO Curriculum: Educating for Meaningful and Safe Use of AI-Controlled Chatbots

Maximilian Alexander Loch and Connor Wundes, University of Münster, Germany

 

From Board Game to Platform: Co-Creating an Inclusive Digital AI Learning Experience

Rubén Vega Gutiérrez, Fundación Siglo22, Spain, and Anastasia Pyrini, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece

 

Law, Ethics, and the OREO Vision: Building AI Awareness Across the HED Sector

Professor Mart Susi, Tallinn University, Estonia

 

 

Session 5 – Supporting Families in Times of Permacrisis: The Efficient Parenting Project

Hall Ariadne

Moderator: Anca Menina Danci, Fundatia de Abilitare Speranta, Romania

 

Efficient Parenting in Times of Permacrisis – Project Overview

Ildiko Sperlea, Anca Menina Danci, and Roxana Damaschin, Fundatia de Abilitare Speranta, Romania

 

Empowering Caregivers: The Efficient Parenting Training Curriculum

Tessa Grefkens and Rick den Bakker, PRO WORK, Netherlands

 

A Learning Hub for Resilient Parenting: Designing the Efficient Parenting e-Learning Platform

Nuria de Pablo Sánchez and Candela Alonso, Fundación Siglo22, Spain

 

 

11:30 – 12:00 | Coffee Break

Athina Lobby

 

 

12:00 – 13:30 | Concurrent Sessions

 

Session 6 – AI-Enhanced Assessment and Feedback in Higher Education

Hall Athina Main

Moderator: Ġorġ Mallia, University of Malta, Malta

 

Evaluating GPT-4’s Proficiency on Norwegian Exams and Tests—and Exploring the Broader Implications for Educational Practice

Rune Krumsvik and Lise Jones, University of Bergen, Norway

 

Evaluating ChatGPT’s Effectiveness in Formative Assessment Practices for CS Education: A SWOT Analysis

Jacqui Chetty, School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

 

Towards Effective Automated Grading in CS1: A Comparison Between GenAI and the In-House Grading Tool

Pieter Joubert, Wendy Yanez-Pazmino, and Jacqui Chetty, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

 

Student Experiences with ChatGPT in Higher Education: Insights from a Two-Year Global Study

Aleksander Aristovnik and Dejan Ravšelj, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

 

 

Workshop: “Play with Purpose: Gamification for Learning and Real-World Impact Outcomes”

Hall Ariadne

Facilitators: Karina Murray and Noleen Mariappens, AUNUA Global, Ireland

 

Workshop Objectives:

To showcase how gamification and guardrailed ethical AI can support learning, driving behavioral change and real-world impact outcomes. To demonstrate how interdisciplinary approaches enhance the design and effectiveness of gamified and AI enabled learning To explore the potential of gamification in curriculum development and outcome evaluation To inspire participants to identify opportunities for applying gamification within their own work or communities.

 

Method:

Live walkthrough and demonstration of gamified modules from Impactoverse Facilitated discussion highlighting interdisciplinary co-design (e.g., psychology + tech + education + arts). Breakout group mapping of potential application areas and use cases. Collaborative discussion on metrics and mechanisms for evaluating learning and impact through gameplay.

 

Overview:

This interactive session explores how gamification can serve as a powerful interdisciplinary tool for education, social impact, and behavioral transformation. Participants will be guided through examples of gamified modules, including efficient parenting strategies, the impact of art and nature on wellbeing, and increasing access to STEM for underrepresented and underserved groups. Attendees will examine how game mechanics, designed through collaboration among technologists, psychologists, educators, and creatives, can foster learning, support curriculum goals, and drive measurable change. The session will explore how such tools can be integrated into programme design, be used to assess outcomes, and adapted across cultures and sectors. Participants will engage in collaborative mapping to identify how gamification can support their own projects, and how curriculum, engagement strategies and real world outcomes can be reimagined through play.

 

 

13:30 – 15:30 | Lunch

Elia Restaurant

 

15:30 – 17:00 | Concurrent Sessions

 

Session 7 – Adopting & Governing AI Across Educational Contexts

Hall Athina Main

Moderator: Professor Emerita Marcie Boucouvalas, Virginia Tech, United States of America

 

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Primary and Secondary Education in Portugal: Acceptance and Use by Students

Nuno Dorotea and Célia Ribeiras, Instituto de Educação, University of Lisbon, Portugal

 

Artificial Intelligence and School Leadership: School Leaders’ Reflections on Professional Use of AI

Marcia Håkansson Lindqvist, Mid Sweden University, Sweden, and Fanny Pettersson, Umeå University, Sweden

 

Self-evaluation of Adaptive Digital Learning Platforms Based on Artificial Intelligence: Development of a Theoretical Framework

Ana Pedro and Bárbara Azevedo, Instituto de Educação, University of Lisbon, Portugal

 

Innovative Technologies in Ethical Expertise: Architecture and Functional Capabilities of the System

Dinara Kabdylova, Gulmira Bekmanova, Assel Omarbekova, Aiganym Bessembayeva, Alina Yerbolatova, and Altanbek Zulkhazhav, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazakhstan

 

The Challenges that Artificial Intelligence Brings to Australian Transnational Programs

Kathy Michael, Victoria University, Australia

 

Workshop: “Work as a Remedy: Motivating Paths into the Labour Market for Adults with Mental-Health Challenges”

Facilitators: Anastasia Pyrini, Despina Sarrigeorgiou, George Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece

Nuria de Pablo Sánchez, Candela Alonso, Rubén Vega Gutiérrez, Fundación Siglo22, Spain

 

Workshop Objectives:

1. Present the two key results of the Work as a Remedy Erasmus+ project:

    o the Inspirational Video, showcasing expert advice and real stories to encourage inclusion in the labour market;

    o the Illustrated Magazine, which features nine good-practice stories from Greece, Spain and the Czech Republic.

2. Demonstrate how trainers, counsellors, and community professionals can integrate these open resources into real-world adult education and support practices.

3. Collect feedback from participants to support the multilingual dissemination and future adaptation of the project results.

4. Foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders committed to inclusive pathways into employment.

 

Workshop Overview:

The workshop will open with a brief welcome and ice-breaker that invites participants to share their experience supporting adults with mental-health challenges. A concise project snapshot will then set the context before everyone watches the 15-minute inspirational video. Immediately after the screening, pairs will reflect on key take-aways and post their insights on a shared board, paving the way for a gallery-walk of the illustrated magazine where delegates can browse printed spreads and scan QR codes for the e-version while discussing with the facilitators. Next, small mixed groups will tackle a design challenge: drafting one concrete way to embed either the video or a magazine story into their own counselling or training practice. The session will close with a plenary share-out of these ideas, an invitation to pilot the materials, and links for downloading the final resources.

 

Methods & Learning Approach

This workshop uses a combination of multimedia demonstration, experiential browsing, and collaborative design to immerse participants in the project’s tools and methodology. Peer dialogue and rapid prototyping support active learning, while real-time feedback contributes directly to the project’s quality enhancement and community-building goals.

Participants will leave with full access to the video and magazine in multiple languages, and potential new partnerships for promoting inclusive labour-market participation.

 

Day 3 – Thursday, July 10, 2025

 

09:15 – 09:45

Hall Athina Main

 

Mobility Session

Begin your day with a short period of relaxation, mindfulness and reconnection. Taking a brief time out at the beginning of proceedings to stretch, breathe and train the mind to reconnect with the body.

(Please note: best not to join the session with a full stomach. Best if light, comfortable clothing is worn. Please bring a beach/bath towel with you).

Moderator: Shirley Cauchi, Malta

 

10:00 – 11:00 Poster Session (Click on the individual titles to see the abstracts of each poster)

 

Lapbooks as a Tool for Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy

Kristyna Kilianova and Petra Kockova, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

 

MIRACLE: Transforming Climate Education through Augmented Reality and Comic Co-Creation in Primary Schools

Nancy Pyrini, CleverBooks, Ireland; Ġorġ Mallia, University of Malta, MALTA; Evangeline Varonis, Despina Sarrigeorgiou, and George Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece; and Nuria de Pablo Sánchez and Rubén Vega Gutiérrez, Jaitek Tecnología y Formación, SPAIN

 

Efficient Parenting in Times of Permacrisis

Ildiko Sperlea, Anca Menina Danci and Roxana Damaschin, Fundatia de Abilitare Speranta, Romania; Anastasia Pyrini, Despina Sarrigeorgiou and George Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece; and Nuria de Pablo Sánchez and Candela Alonso, Fundación Siglo22, Spain

 

OREO: Advancing Ethical AI Use in Higher Education through Pedagogical Innovation and Community Empowerment

Georgios Yannopoulos and Mirela Pachou, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; Anastasia Pyrini, Despina Sarrigeorgiou and George Sarrigeorgiou

PARAGON-eduTech, Greece; Nuria de Pablo Sánchez and Rubén Vega Gutierrez, Fundación Siglo22, Spain; Mart Susi, Tallinn University, Estonia; and Maximilian Alexander Loch and Malte Ubben, University of Münster, Germany

 

Work as a Remedy: Encouraging Labour Inclusion through Experience and Inspiration

Anastasia Pyrini, Despina Sarrigeorgiou, and George Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece; Nuria de Pablo Sánchez and Rubén Vega Gutierrez, Fundación Siglo22, Spain; and Kateřina Nevřalová, Jana Hanke, and Martina Derková, InErudico, Czech Republic

 

coACTION: A Whole School Approach for Democratic Empowerment in Primary Education

Anastasia Pyrini, Despina Sarrigeorgiou and George Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece; and Nuria de Pablo Sánchez, Jaitek Tecnología y Formación, Spain

 

Collaborative Learning Communities for Redesigning Primary Education Towards Innovative & Sustainable Learning Environments (ISLE)

Anastasia Pyrini, Despina Sarrigeorgiou and George Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece

 

KHEIRON – Social Mentoring Without Borders: Advancing Digital Inclusion and Intergenerational Learning in Rural Europe

Anastasia Pyrini, Despina Sarrigeorgiou and George Sarrigeorgiou, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece; Nuria de Pablo Sánchez and Rubén Vega Gutierrez, Fundación Siglo22, Spain

 

 

11:00 – 12:00 | Keynote

Hall Athina Main

 

INTRODUCTION OF THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr Mirela Pachou, The Laboratory of Law and Informatics (LLI), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

From Code to Campus: Exploring AI Ethics and Digital Rights in Higher Education with Plagiarism as a Case Study

Professor Georgios Yannopoulos, School of Law, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Director, Laboratory of Law and Informatics (LLI).

 

 

12:00 – 13:30 – Philosophers’ Café

“My Online Education World: Four Decades of Innovation with Morten Flate Paulsen”

Moderator - Professor Ġorġ Mallia, University of Malta

 

Freshly inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame, former EDEN President Morten Flate Paulsen returns to ICICTE to guide us through the pivotal moments that have shaped online and distance learning since the 1980s. Drawing on his eight open-access volumes—The Dawn of Online Education, Early Adopters of Online Education, the forthcoming Online Education Growth and Online Education Goes Mainstream, plus four companion directories Stars in My Online Education World—Paulsen will trace the technological, pedagogical and organisational milestones that moved e-learning from dial-up modems to MOOCs, mobile apps, and learning analytics. A brief talk will be followed by an open discussion with delegates, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, celebrate influential “stars,” and consider where the next decade of online education may lead.

 

 

13:30 – 14:00 – Closing Ceremonies

 

CLOSING REMARKS

Professor Emerita Marcie Boucouvalas, Virginia Tech, United States of America

 

EDITOR'S DAY OFF AWARD

Evangeline (Litsa) Marlos Varonis, PARAGON-eduTech, Greece

 

FRIEND OF THE CONFERENCE AWARD 2025

Nancy Pyrini, ICICTE Founder and Director, Greece

 

THE LUDVIG SPANTE STUDENT PAPER AWARD: HONORING INTEGRITY, PASSION, AND THE COURAGE TO BE ONESELF

Professor Ġorġ Mallia, ICICTE Chair of the Scientific Committee, Malta

 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ICICTE 2026

Professor Ġorġ Mallia, ICICTE Chair of the Scientific Committee, Malta

 

 

20:00 – "Human Notes: Mirela Pachou in Concert"

Presented by the OREO Project and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

"Kafeneion" Traditional Kafe, Minoa Palace Resort

 

 

© ICICTE 2025