Get to know our partners and co-organizers on journey of introducing ICT solutions to education in Western Balkans region. In parallel with our two-day conference, we also organised a fair where over 30 ICT companies and educational institutions presented the latest technological solutions in education that they developed or introduced to the market. The participants were able to visit their stands, try out interactive classroom solutions, find out how to use the internet for high quality teaching and see a micro:bit devices for coding. 

Fair exhibitors:

Alessandro Brolpito

Alessandro Brolpito | KEYNOTE SPEAKER

BIOGRAPHY

Alessandro Brolpito is a senior specialist in Knowledge Management and Innovation at the European Training Foundation (ETF), an agency of the European Union (EU) based in Italy. 

PRESENTATION

Challenges and opportunities for VET as result of the digital transformation of economy

Digital technologies are an opportunity for the Western Balkans to address some of the structural economic, political and social challenges of the region. For the economy, the digital transformation is an opportunity for growth, productivity, competitiveness and innovation. This presentation focuses on the challenges and opportunities for the future of VET, also in relation to recent EU and ETF initiatives in the Western Balkans and lessons learnt.

 

Certiadria

GOLD PARTNER

Certiadria is international education and certification company, partner of Certiport / Person VUE established and based in the Adriatic region, working in the following ten markets: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. Certiadria is committed on providing educational and certification services in the Adriatic region for global professional impact and builds strong connections between academic and industry world. 

http://www.certiadria.com/

Certiport

GOLD PARTNER

Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, prepares individuals with relevant digital skills for the competitive global workforce. These solutions are delivered by more than 13,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide and include the official Microsoft Office Specialist certification program, the Microsoft Technology Associate certification program, the Microsoft Certified Educator program, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the Autodesk Certified User certification program, the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User certification program, and the IC3 Digital Literacy certification.

www.certiport.com 

Donald Clark

Mind blowing tech in learning – AI, VR & AR,Blockchain

Donald looked at artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality and other amazing technologies in learning, always relating them back to real learning and learning theory. 

Artificial intelligence: its role in the future of learning

Google is one of the tools most often used by learners. Beyond this we have tools that use AI to create learning content and experiences, in realtime. Then we have adaptive learning systems that use AI to navigate learners through courses. On top of this there’s advances on online assessment through digital ID, face recognition and automated answer and essay marking.

Donald is an EdTech entrepreneur. He has worked in schools, vocational, higher, corporate and adult learning, delivering real projects to real learners. He has over 30 years experience in online learning, games, simulations, social media, mobile learning, virtual reality

Dr. Thomas Lancaster

Exploring The Culture Of Plagiarism Invading Education

This keynote presentation used stories from popular culture alongside research findings to lift the lid on the issues surrounding plagiarism in higher education. The presentation considered why creating a culture in which plagiarism is unacceptable is vital for the future of higher education and to ensure that students are equipped for success in the modern world.

Thomas is one of Europe's leading experts on student plagiarism, with over 30 research publications relating to plagiarism and cheating. His recent research work on contract cheating has featured widely in international media, including BBC, The Times and The Telegraph. A graduate from the University of Oxford, Thomas currently works as Associate Dean – Recruitment (Digital Technologies) at Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom.

Mark Borkowski | @MarkBorkowski

PR agent and brand advisor, Borkowski.do

Mark Borkowski’s history as a communications professional began in one of the most challenging of environments: arts and entertainments.

He publicised global entertainment properties such as Cirque du Soleil, Prince, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson and many others. He was Eddie Izzard’s PR, and handled a swathe of TV dramas and comedy shows.

His approach was inventive, energetic and often controversial. Major corporations and institutions, such as Vodafone, Mercedes, Universal Music Group and English National Opera  were persuaded of its benefits and reaped rich rewards as a result. 

Mark is also a respected commentator on communications issues in the national print and broadcast media and at academic and corporate conventions and has published widely on this topic. 

Mark Martin

EdTech 2.0

This presentation explored how to use EdTech to engage students in teaching and learning. Also how to create a EdTech culture over a long period of time which leads to greater impact and delivery in lessons. Mark explained that technology shouldn’t be the main focus, but the innovation and creativity behind the practice is the key.

Mark Martin is an outstanding educator with a proven track record of innovative and inspirational teaching. He is a Global Educator and is highly skilled in delivering bespoke training. Mark has also acted as consultant to a number of projects with Microsoft, Google, Intel, JP Morgan, Barclay's Bank, Tech City UK, Appshed, Academy Chains. Mark has presented a number of short sessions at The Bett Show 2013 and 2015 on using mobile technology in teaching and learning, as well as at the conference ‘New Technologies in Education 2016’.

Microsoft

PLATINUM PARTNER

Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is a global leader in providing computer technologies including software, services and solutions that help people, businesses and organizations to realize their full potential. Microsoft in Education’s mission is to empower every student and educator to achieve more. The core of this mission is to create immersive and inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning, stimulate development of essential life skills, and support educators in guiding and nurturing student passions. Their goal is to inspire students and educators to create and share in entirely new ways, to teach and learn through exploration, and to adapt to individual learning needs so they can make, design, invent and build with technology.

Miles Berry

What we're learning about teaching computing

This was a look at some of the lessons learnt about computing education by teachers in English schools. It's a survey of ten 'top tips' for effective computing pedagogy, linked to case studies of classroom practice and evidence from education research.

Coding across the curriculum

After a few thoughts on how technology can be used to enhance learning across the curriculum Miles provides a number of practical examples of how students can apply and develop their computer programming skills in other subject areas.

Principal Lecturer in Computing Education at the University of Roehampton in London. He spent 18 years in four schools, much time of the time as an ICT coordinator and most recently as a head teacher.

Ministry of education, science and technological development

CO-ORGANIZERS

Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development carries out the tasks related to research, planning and development of pre-school, primary, secondary and higher education, and pupils’ and students’ standard. The Ministry additionally performs the tasks in connection with development and improvement of research and development activities and proposes and implements policies and strategies underlying scientific and technological development.