Author: Joao

The University of Lodz (ULO) is one of the largest higher education institutions in Poland. Established in 1945, it has long been one of the biggest and most popular universities in its national context.

The University employs over 2.500 academic teachers. The 12 faculties of the University provide programmes in 60 fields of study, 170 specializations and 90 postgraduate programmes including an MBA programme and host around 40,000 students.

Media literacy, critical thinking in media perception as well as aspects of influencing the recipients of media messages are examples of thematic areas that require interdisciplinary approach, hence teams from several faculties of our University are involved in this project, including Faculty of Management, Faculty of Sociology and Faculty of Educational Sciences.

The University of Palermo, founded in 1806, covers today almost the full spectrum of arts and sciences. The academic structures include: 16 Departments, 2 inter-departmental centres, 1 School of Medicine, 3 decentralised premises (Agrigento, Trapani, Caltanissetta), the Museum System, the Language Centre, the Italian school for foreign students, the Guidance Centre. The Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement (SPPEFF) has an interdisciplinary vocation as it includes among its areas of teaching and research psychology, pedagogy, human movement (motor and sport sciences), and sociology.

There is also a training area, focused on the study and design of professionalization courses for teachers and/or educators involved in formal/non formal education and adult education. In addition to teaching and research activities, the Department SPPEFF aims at promoting activities to exploit the findings of its research activities as well to transfer its knowledge in the reference territory (Public Engagement/Third Mission).

The Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (CPI) is one of the Directorates of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth in Cyprus.

It is the official body responsible for the continuous professional learning of in-service teachers at all levels of education and it also has substantial contribution to planning and implementation of educational policy. The scope of the CPI is to improve the quality of the educational system, taking into consideration the literature and research and the priorities set by the Ministry. Moreover, the mission of the CPI is the design and implementation of continuous professional learning of teachers at all levels, the setting of framework for the teacher competences and the promotion of horizontal issues of educational priority, improving the content and effectiveness of the education provided in accordance with the wider international, european and local context.

CPI offers in-service training to teachers of all levels through several compulsory programmes and optional seminars, including school-based programmes for teachers’ in-site professional learning and development, it plans and conducts education research and evaluation studies, it follows and adapts current trends in pedagogy, it promotes the use of new technologies in education, it undertakes the writing and publication of teaching books, the designing of the curriculum and the production of teaching materials.

The Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) is an executive, scientific and research body that supports the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports as well as the supervised bodies in matters related to primary and secondary education, teacher training, the transition from secondary to Higher Education, post-secondary education, the confrontation of educational inequalities, student dropout and early school leaving aiming at the assurance of every child’s right to education. It issues opinion or proposes upon related query on the part of the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports or ex officio according to the law in force 3966/2011 (art. 2, par. 3, line a).

The purpose of IEP is to carry out scientific research and study of the issues referred to in paragraph 1, as well as to provide ongoing scientific and technical support for the planning and implementation of education policy on these issues.

The Ministry of Education, a central public administration body in Romania, is tasked with overseeing and managing the country’s education and vocational training system.

This central institution is responsible for formulating and executing national education policies, ensuring that the education system maintains high-quality standards. It also monitors and evaluates the performance of schools and promotes the professional growth of educators. Additionally, it handles the financial and human resources aspects of the education sector.
Recognizing the significant role of digitization in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the education system, the Ministry has given this matter considerable attention. This is evident in the inclusion of a distinct section in Law 198/2023 concerning pre-university education. The Ministry is committed to making substantial improvements to the Romanian education system to prepare for a digital and interoperable future.

This digital strategy is not merely a minor adjustment but a comprehensive plan aimed at optimizing the allocation of resources.

The Athens Lifelong Learning Institute is a research and education institute, based in Athens, Greece. It has the mission to foster and enhance innovation processes mainly in the areas of education and lifelong learning, human capital development, knowledge society and social inclusion.

The Institute exhibits an active interest in a number of social issues such as social exclusion, discrimination and suppression of human rights and has attempted through the implementation of innovative learning methodologies to moderate their impact.

The Athens Lifelong Learning Institute contributes to the education ecosystem through R&D activities, creating open education programmes, collaborating and promoting collaboration with advanced scientific organisations and organising educational events. It has a long experience in the development of educational curricula and programmes that keep abreast to the new developments, social demands and European priorities and endorses a firm belief that real-world problem-based learning and innovative teaching methods inspire curiosity and improve learning ability, especially for disengaged and disconnected learners.

The Athens Lifelong Learning Institute aims to facilitate the enabling role that the use of ICTs has in our societies cooperating with a wide range of highly acclaimed national and European organizations in the field of media literacy.