Postgraduate Program in Course Design and Curriculum Development in Contemporary Learning Environments
The modern learning and teaching environment in primary and secondary education is more complex than in the past. Passively following the textbook and faithfully covering a prescribed syllabus is no longer enough. Thus, lesson planning has become more complex and teachers should be able to design lessons based on non-frontal and non-monolingual teaching, teamwork, greater student autonomy, and the integration of all forms of diversity found in the modern learning and teaching environment. Ultimately, teachers need to be able to create an environment of interactive discovery by selecting teaching objectives, creating or adapting existing teaching materials, designing lessons and teaching approaches, and evaluating their teaching work.
This Postgraduate Studies Programme aims at the specialisation of its students in issues of instructional design and the development of quality printed and electronic teaching materials for teaching and learning in modern learning environments.
The Master’s Program “Course Design and Development of Teaching Material in Contemporary Learning Environments” of the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education at the University of Thessaly has been operating since 2003 without tuition fees.
The program is committed to implementing a quality policy that aligns with the quality policies of the University of Thessaly and the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education.
It supports the academic profile and orientation of the study program, promotes its purpose and subject matter, implements its strategic objectives, defines the means and ways of achieving them, and aims for continuous improvement.
Operational Framework
Purpose of the Master's Program
The purpose of the Master’s Program is to specialize students in:
A) Designing teaching within contemporary learning environments characterized by, among other things, constructivist teaching approaches, collaborative and differentiated approaches, interdisciplinary/interdisciplinary learning processes, as well as the functional and critical integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into the educational process.
B) Developing print and electronic teaching materials (books, workbooks, educational software) of high quality, in line with the findings of the most recent research in the teaching of various subjects, essential for teaching and learning in contemporary educational environments.
Purpose of the Master's Program
The program operates complementary to the undergraduate studies offered by the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education. The Master’s Program offers specializations that aim to address existing and substantial needs of the Greek educational system, contributing to its enhancement, as well as branches that develop activities in areas related to education (publishing houses, educational software production companies, etc.).
Depending on the direction chosen by the students and the depth they achieve through their research in the context of their thesis, the academic subjects covered by the Master’s Program are “Teaching Methods of Mathematics,” “Teaching Methods of Natural Sciences,” “Teaching Methods of Language,” “Teaching Methods of Literature,” and “Teaching Methods of History.”
Title of Studies
The Master’s Program awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) with the title:
A) “Course Design and Curriculum Development in Contemporary Learning Environments in Mathematics and Science” and
B) “Course Design and Curriculum Development in Contemporary Learning Environments in the Humanities.”
Tuition Fees
There are no tuition fees for studying in the Master’s Program “Course Design and Development of Teaching Material in Modern Learning Environments.”
Categories of Candidates in the Master's Program - Number of Admitted Students
A) The Master’s Program accepts graduates of Greek universities or Technical Educational Institutes (TEIs) or equivalent departments of foreign universities with studies recognized as equivalent to Greek universities or TEIs. Specifically, graduates in the following categories are accepted:
A’ Direction: a) Graduates of Pedagogical Departments and b) Graduates of Schools of Natural Sciences or graduates of Polytechnic Schools and TEIs with pedagogical competence after attending ASPAITE or former SELETE.
B’ Direction: a) Graduates of Pedagogical Departments, b) Graduates of departments of Philosophical Schools and Schools of Humanities, and c) Graduates of Departments of Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology. The Assembly may decide on the admission of graduates from other relevant departments in the two directions.
B) An essential prerequisite for admission and registration in the Master’s Program is the proven language proficiency of candidates in the English language, certified with a language proficiency title of at least B2 level (e.g., First Certificate in English).
C) The selection of Master’s students is made by the Assembly of the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education of the University of Thessaly, taking into account the criteria and requirements and the special regulations of the Master’s Program, as specified below.
D) The number of admitted students is set at 20 postgraduate students, 10 per direction. In case this number is not reached in one of the directions, the Department’s Assembly may decide to fill the vacant positions with candidates from the other direction.
Duration
The Master’s Program for obtaining an MSc lasts for three semesters. In the first and second semesters, students attend three courses, while in the third semester, they work on their thesis.
The minimum duration for the award of the titles is set at three (3) semesters for each MSc, and the maximum duration is set at six (6) semesters.
The Assembly may decide on further extension of the study period upon request from the interested parties. Students may request a two-semester suspension with their application.
Please note that specific details, such as links and any updates to the program, should be checked directly with the University of Thessaly or the relevant department.
Quality Policy of the Academic Unit for the Development and Improvement of Graduate Programmes
Quality Policy
The Postgraduate Program of Studies “Course Design and Development of Teaching Materials in Modern Learning Environments” of the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education at the University of Thessaly is committed to implementing a quality policy that aligns with the quality policies of the University of Thessaly and the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education.
This commitment involves supporting the academic profile and orientation of the study program, promoting its purpose and objectives, implementing its strategic goals, defining the means and ways to achieve them, and aiming for continuous improvement.
Courses and Academic Progress
Study Guide
Thesis
Every student completes her or his thesis in the third semester, which must have a clearly defined research-based orientation, on a topic related to one of the courses of the program. The thesis is publicly defended before a three-member examination committee (2 supervisors and 1 faculty member) appointed by the Assembly of the Department of Primary Education, following a recommendation from the Director of the Master’s Program.
Supervising professors, in accordance with existing legislation, inform the Secretariat in writing about the titles of the theses they propose to support.
The defense of the Master’s Thesis takes place publicly, in front of the Examination Committee, on a date and at a location determined by the Department’s Assembly, following a recommendation from the Program Director.
The defense can be attended by professors, students of the Master’s and undergraduate programs, as well as external participants.
Upon approval by the Committee, the thesis is mandatory to be posted on the institutional repository of the University of Thessaly (http://ir.lib.uth.gr) and the Master’s Program repository.
In exceptional cases, if there is an objective inability or a significant reason (illness, absence abroad, etc.), the supervisor or a member of the Examination Committee may be replaced, following a decision by the Program Director and the concurring opinion of the Coordination Committee, with relevant notification to the Department’s Assembly.
Teaching Staff
Teaching Staff
In the MSc program in Curriculum Design and Development of Teaching Material in Contemporary Learning Environments, the faculty includes:
- Members of the teaching and research staff (ΔΕΠ) of the Department, as well as other Departments of the University of Thessaly, following their declaration of interest.
- Faculty members from other universities in Greece or abroad who will conduct courses or seminars on subjects of particular research interest.
- Researchers from recognized research centers in Greece or abroad who will be invited to deliver a series of lectures.
- Ph.D. holders with specialized knowledge, invited by the Assembly.
Academic Subjects and Scientific/Research Interests of the Teaching Staff
Eleni Andreou
Professor
Email: elandr@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Educational Psychology
Research Interests: Focus on learning difficulties, behavioral problems in schools, social and emotional development, school and cyberbullying, classroom management, intervention programs, and promotion of mental health in schools and inclusive education.
George Androulakis
Professor
Email: androulakis@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Sociolinguistics and its applications in teaching
Research Interests: Study of language contact in immigrant communities, language policy, language teaching, open and distance learning.
Stefanos Asimopoulos
Assistant Professor
Email: asimstef@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Natural Sciences and their Teaching
Research Interests: Transformation of scientific into school knowledge, proportions, models, and experiments in the teaching of Natural Sciences.
Evgenia Vasilaki
Assistant Professor
Email: evasilaki@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Greek Language and its Teaching
Research Interests: Focus on the Teaching of Language as a mother tongue and as a second language, Pragmatics, and Cognitive Linguistics with applications in education.
George Vleioras
Assistant Professor
Email: vleioras@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Developmental Psychology
Research Interests: Concentration on identity development, emerging adulthood, and processes leading to healthy development in children and adolescents, as a function of social and historical factors.
Katerina Voulgari
Teaching and Research Fellow
Email: kvoulgari@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Psychopedagogy
Research Interests: Focus on language and speech development, psychosocial development of children, neuroscience, and education, counseling (school, family, parent counseling), and lifelong learning.
Stavroula Kaldi
Professor
Email: kaldi@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Pedagogics: Teaching Methodology
Research Interests: Innovative teaching approaches such as the project method, student-centered teaching and learning, differentiated teaching in education, and professional development of educators.
Charalambos Karagiannidis
Professor
Email: karagian@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Applications of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education and Special Education
Research Interests: Focus on technology-enhanced learning, human-computer interaction, accessibility, universal design, inclusive education, educational software, educational robotics, augmented reality, gamification, massive open online courses (MOOCs), and technology-enhanced education for the elderly.
Ilias Karasavvidis
Assistant Professor
Email: ikaras@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Learning in Preschool Education
Research Interests: Technologically supported learning, human-computer interaction, accessibility, universal design, educational software, educational robotics, augmented reality, gamification, MOOCs, and technology-enhanced education for the elderly.
Vasilis Kollias
Assistant Professor
Email: vkollias@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Physics and Collaborative Learning Environments using ICT
Research Interests: Design of collaborative learning environments supported by ICT for Physics Education, teacher education in the integration of ICT in their courses, and students’ practices promoting learning in collaborative environments.
Magdalini Kolokytha
Assistant Professor
Email: mkolokitha@uth.gr
Academic Subject: Sociology of Education
Research Interests: Concentration on Sociology of Education (Economic/Cultural Inequalities, Social Justice, European Educational Policy, Governance), and Research Methodology (Discourse Analysis, Structure/Agency) with an emphasis on qualitative methods.
Marita Paparousi
Professor
Email: mpaparou@uth.gr
Research interests: Contemporary prose, literary theory, gender and identities, and the teaching of literature.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2003 and is the coordinator of the course “Teaching and learning of Literature and development of teaching material.”
Panagiotis Politis
Professor
Email: ppol@uth.gr
Research interests: Information and Communication Technologies in Education, Teaching of Informatics.
Research topics include Information and Communication Technologies in Education, development and teaching use of educational software, collaborative online learning environments, hypermedia, and multimedia in education, informatics teaching, open and distance education.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2003 and is the coordinator, along with Vasilis Kollias, of the course “Teaching and Learning with ICT – Development of Teaching Material.”
Antonis Smirnaios
Assistant Professor
Email: smirnaios@uth.gr
Research interests: Modern Greek History and Education, Teaching of History.
Recent research focuses on the relationship between society, history, science, and pedagogy with the post-human phenomenon.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2012 and is the coordinator of the course “Teaching and learning of History and development of teaching material.”
Vasilis Stavropoulos
Adjunct Faculty Member
Email: bstavro@gmail.com
Research interests: Educational research organization and administration, Research Methodology, Statistics.
Research focuses on the organization and administration of education, Research Methodology, Statistics, learning qualitative and quantitative research software, self-effectiveness, and leadership behavior.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2016 in the “Learning Software for Qualitative and Quantitative Research” seminar.
Dimitris Schizas
Assistant Professor
Email: dschizas@uth.gr
Research interests: Biology, Ecology, and their Teaching.
Research focuses on issues of History, Philosophy, and Teaching of Biology and Ecology.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2022 in the course “Educational Research and its Methods.”
Triantafillos A. Triantafyllidis
Professor
Email: ttriant@uth.gr
Research interests: Teaching of Mathematics.
Research approaches the school class of mathematics using tools of semiotics and cultural and linguistic anthropology. Special interest in geometry, integration of tactile materials in mathematics teaching, and issues related to the education and training of educators.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2003 and is the coordinator of the course “Teaching and learning in Mathematics and development of teaching material.”
Stella Tsermentseli
Assistant Professor
Email: tsermentseli@uth.gr
Research interests: Educational Psychology, Learning Difficulties.
Research focuses on investigating cognitive processes affecting the social and learning skills of children, especially those with developmental disorders and specific learning difficulties.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2020 in the course “Educational Research and its Methods.”
Amanda Philippatou
Assistant Professor
Email: filipd@psych.uoa.gr
Research interests: Learning Difficulties.
Research concerns (Special) learning difficulties in written language, assessment of learning difficulties, psychosocial problems faced by students with learning difficulties, and the design of differentiated teaching for students with typical and atypical development in the general class.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2005 in the course “Contemporary Approaches to Learning and Educational Practice.”
Nikos Chaniotakis
Assistant Professor
Email: chaniot@uth.gr
Research interests: School Pedagogy.
Research interests relate to student assessment, homework, humor in teaching, all-day school, and the practical training of students.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2003 and is the coordinator, along with Stavroula Kaldi, of the course “Contemporary Approaches to Learning and Educational Practice.”
Maria Hatzi
Faculty Member
Email: mxatzi02@uth.gr
Research interests: Literacy and Natural Sciences in Primary Education.
Research focuses on multiliteracies in education, Teaching of Natural Sciences, and applied pedagogy.
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2016 in the course “Contemporary Approaches to Learning and Educational Practice.”
Konstantinos Hatzikiriakou
Professor
Email: kxatzkyr@uth.gr
Research interests: Mathematical Logic and Mathematical Education.
Current research interests include Mathematical Logic (especially in the research program of Reverse Mathematics) and Mathematical Education (with a particular interest in the use of Literature and History of Mathematics in the teaching of Mathematics, teaching of Logic and proof, and the use of tangible tools and software in Geometry teaching).
Teaches in the postgraduate program since 2003 and is the coordinator of the course “Issues in Mathematical Education and Development of Teaching Material.”
Contact and News
News
Contact
Address: University of Thessaly, Argonauts & Filellinon, T.K. 38221, Volos
Rosa Imvrioti Building, Ground Floor, Office 14
Email: primedupg@uth.gr
tel.: 2421074785
Days and hours of contact:
Monday: 10:00-13:00, Tuesday: 10:00-13:00, Wednesday: 13:00-15:00, Thursday: 13:00-15:00, Friday: 10:00-13:00
