Program

 

“AI, Learning, and Cultural Heritage”

This course has been created by the program committee and organizing team from The Learning Ideas Conference and the University of Ioannina.



Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

All times are in 24-hour times in Greece, GMT+3
The course will take place in
Lanassa Hall at Epirus Palace Hotel & Spa (relocated from Virkena Hall).


9:15 - Doors Open


9:40 - 10:00

Opening Ceremony

Speakers from the hosts at University of Ioannina


10:00 - 10:30

Welcome Address

David Guralnick, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Kaleidoscope Learning
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
New York, New York, USA

About Dr. David Guralnick


David Guralnick envisions a new approach to education and workplace learning. His vision integrates progressive learning theory, advanced technology, and creative, entertaining storytelling to create learning experiences that help people learn to think critically, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. David holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the past 30 years, he has designed and evaluated a variety of simulation-based training applications, performance support systems, online courses, mobile applications, and authoring tools for corporate, non-profit, and university audiences.

David holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science/artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his thirty years in online learning, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites.

Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes and the first authoring tool for a non-technical audience that was specific to e-learning. He has been the recipient of over 200 e-learning design awards, and his work has been featured in Wired magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Training magazine (as an Editor's Choice). He has been a regular speaker at both industry and academic events since 1991. He is also the author of the recent book How Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning.

David is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

Jenny Pange, Ph.D.
Professor and Former Dean of the School of Education
University of Ioannina
Ioannina, Greece

About Dr. Jenny Pange


Jenny (Polyxeni) Pange is a Professor at the University of Ioannina, in the field of Information Technology and Applied Mathematics with an emphasis on educational programs. She is also the former Dean of the university's School of Education and the Director of its Laboratory of “New Technologies and Distance Learning”, at the School of Education. Dr. Pange is a Legal Representative of Greece, on the Board of Advisors of the UNIADRION (Universities of Adriatic and Ionian Basin Association), and is the representative of the University of Ioannina in EUCEN (European Universities Continuing Education Network).

She holds a diploma in Mathematics, an M.Sc. in Statistics, and a Ph.D. in Biometry. Dr. Pange is currently teaching classes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Greece and abroad. Her scientific research includes books and more than 170 publications in journals and conference proceedings. Dr. Pange is a Scientific Coordinator and member of scientific committees of many EEC-funded programs. She has participated in several conferences nationally and internationally, as a keynote or invited speaker, and she has organized national and international conferences and summer schools.

Christos Stavrakos, Ph.D.
Professor and Member of the Governing Board
University of Ioannina
Ioannina, Greece

About Dr. Christos Stavrakos


Dr. Stavrakos is a Professor of Byzantine History in the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Ioannina.

Welcome Addresses

David Guralnick, Ph.D., Jenny Pange, Ph.D., and Christos Stavrakos, Ph.D.


Dr. Guralnick, Dr. Pange, and Dr. Stavrakos welcome participants and provide a brief overview of the course.


10:30 - 11:15

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Learning

David Guralnick, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Kaleidoscope Learning
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
New York, New York, USA

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Learning

David Guralnick, Ph.D.


Uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in learning have been explored and studied for decades, but with the recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, AI's role in learning has become more prominent and more widely-discussed than ever before.

In this session, we'll look at the past, present, and potential future roles of AI in learning, exploring different approaches to AI and how AI can, along with other new technologies, allow us to create personalized, authentic, and meaningful learning experiences that go far beyond traditional educational experiences.


11:15 - 11:45

Coffee Break/Networking Session


11:45 - 12:30

AI, Education, and Society

 

11:45 - 12:00
Alexandros Tzallas
, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Ioannina
Arta, Epirus, Greece

About Dr. Alexandros Tzallas


Dr. Tzallas is an Associate Professor specializing in Biomedical Engineering, with expertise in the Analysis and Processing of Biomedical Data at the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, University of Ioannina. Additionally, he holds an affiliation as an Honorary Research Fellow at the Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction in the Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London. Throughout his career, Dr. Tzallas has actively participated in multiple European and national research projects, serving diverse roles such as software engineer, researcher, technical manager, seminar instructor, and post-doctoral researcher. His academic contributions include over 240 peer-reviewed publications, seven book chapters, two scholarly books, and two patents related to wearable technology and neurodegenerative diseases. His research has garnered significant attention, accumulating more than 6300 citations.

Dr. Tzallas currently serves as an Associate Editor for esteemed journals, including BioMedical Engineering OnLine, Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, and Digital Medicine and Health Technology. Moreover, he contributes to the editorial boards of the Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research Journal and the Inventions Journal. His responsibilities also extend to reviewing submissions for numerous scientific journals and conferences. His research interests cover a broad spectrum of biomedical engineering fields, particularly EEG, wearable devices, biomedical signal and image processing, decision support systems, medical expert systems, and innovative biomedical applications. Notably, Dr. Tzallas' groundbreaking research in remote monitoring and automated assessment of Parkinson's disease patients using wearable devices was recognized with two prestigious awards, "Most Innovative Solution" and "Best Use of Resources," at the MIT Health and Wellness Innovation 2013 competition. Additionally, his academic and research achievements were officially acknowledged by the Greek Ministry of Culture, Education & Religious Affairs for excellence in higher education.

 

12:00 - 12:15
Alexandra Lotsari-Groumpou, Ph.D.
Instructor
Foreign Language Unit - English
University of Patras
Patras, Greece

About Dr. Alexandra Lotsari-Groumposs


Dr. Lotsari-Groumpou is an instructor in the Foreign Language Unit at the University of Patras in Greece. She holds a B.A. as a double major in English Language and Literature and Classical and Medieval Studies and a M.S. in English literature, both from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

AI, Education, and Society

Alexandra Lotsari-Groumpos, Ph.D.


How Artificial Intelligence Can Show How the Greek Language has Influenced the English Educational System

The Greek language has significantly influenced the English educational system through its contributions to vocabulary, particularly in science and academia, and through the adoption of Greek letters, words and concepts in mathematics and other fields. The Oxford Companion to the English Language states that the "influence of classical Greek on English has been largely indirect, through Latin and French, and largely lexical and conceptual.” According to one estimate, more than 150,000 words of English are derived from Greek words. These include technical and scientific terms but also more common words as well. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a force that is changing every part of our daily lives. In a world in which technology is always changing, AI has had a huge impact on everything from how we work to how we connect with the world around us. The more we learn about the many ways AI is changing our lives, it becomes clear that this technology is not just a fad but a key part of our future. In this session, I'll discuss the uses of AI to explore how the Greek language has influenced the English educational system.

 

12:15 - 12:30
Panagiotes Anastasiades, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Primary Education
University of Crete
Rethymno, Greece

About Dr. Panagiotes Anastasiades


Panagiotes Anastasiades is a Professor of elearning & Lifelong Learning in the Department of Primary Education of the University of Crete and is the Founder and Director of the Laboratory for Advanced Learning Technologies in theLifelong and Distance Education eLearning Lab.

Dr. Anastasiades' research interests include the pedagogical use of advanced ICT—particularly including human-ventered Artificial Intelligence applications—social media, digital storytelling and augmented reality, with the goal of encouragng the creativity of students and teachers in matters related to digital cultural heritage and the safe and creative use of the internet. In addition, his research covers the pedagogical utilization of ICT in the field of Lifelong and Distance Learning, particularly focusing on advanced teacher training environments and distance education in schools.

He is the author of ten books with both Greek and international publishers, and over 200 of his research papers have been published in international scientific journals and conference proceedings.

Since 2008, Dr. Anastasiades been a member of the Editorial Advisory Boards of two international scientific journals, Computers and Education and the International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL). He also serves on the review committee of the International Journal on E-Learning (IJEL) & Open Education: The Journal for Open and Distance Education and Educational Technology. He has also been a member of numerous scientific committees/review committees, since 2000, including the committees of over 150 international and national conferences.

More about Dr. Anastasiades can be found at: www.edivea.org/paen.html

AI, Education, and Society

Panagiotes Anastasiades, Ph.D.


Human Centered Artificial Intelligence in Education of 21st Century

The transition from the Information and Internet Society (the 3rd Industrial Revolution) to the Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Society ( the 4th Industrial Revolution) is a fact. In terms of social responsibility, human-centered Artificial Intelligence must focus on optimizing the capabilities of modern societies in order to be able to respond to the increasing demands of a constantly changing and uncharted social, educational economic and cultural environment.


12:30 - 13:15

Group Discussions

Students and faculty will discuss topics relating to AI and learning.


13:15 - 16:00 Lunch Break


16:00 - 18:30

Museum Tour - Museums on the University of Ioannina Campus


18:30 - End of Day 1


Evening Reception