News

SIMOnS project 2nd Newsletter

📢 Exciting Announcement! 📢

We’re thrilled to share the second newsletter of the SIMOnS project!

Dive into the latest updates, milestones, and future plans of the SIMOnS project!
Here are the key points:
🔹The third project’s face to face meeting was held in Finland on April 3rd and 4th!
🔹We now have a TikTok account where all the educational content is uploaded!
🔹The testing of the SIMOnS app is done, providing us with feedback from the participants and key findings!

🔗 https://www.simonsproject.eu

Stay informed and join us on this incredible journey! 🚀

Exploring the GUESS 3D Virtual World: A New Era in Environmental Education 🌍

We are excited to welcome you to the demonstration of the GUESS 3D Virtual World Learning Environment (VWLE) — a groundbreaking educational platform developed to elevate environmental knowledge and awareness among university students.

Created as part of the Erasmus Plus KA2 project, GUESS (Gamified University Environmental Sustainability Skills) offers an innovative approach to learning by combining immersive virtual environments with real-world sustainability challenges. The platform invites students to explore, engage, and reflect on key environmental issues through a fully interactive and gamified experience.

The goal? To empower the next generation of learners with the mindset and tools needed to build a more sustainable future. From understanding ecological systems to evaluating sustainable practices, GUESS transforms traditional education into a dynamic, digital journey.

This demonstration showcases how virtual reality, educational technology, and sustainability can come together to create powerful learning experiences. It’s not just a tool — it’s a movement toward greener thinking and more conscious action.

🌱 Join us as we explore how GUESS is reshaping environmental education for the better.

Μοριοδοτούμενο Εκπαιδευτικό Πρόγραμμα

Εκπαιδευτικό Πρόγραμμα: «Δημιουργία Εκπαιδευτικών Παιγνίων με το Minecraft Education»

Ενημέρωση – Αιτήσεις

Στο ΚΕΔΙΒΙΜ του Πανεπιστήμιου Πατρών, υλοποιείται το νέο Μοριοδοτούμενο Εκπαιδευτικό Πρόγραμμα με τίτλο: «Δημιουργία Εκπαιδευτικών Παιγνίων με το Minecraft Education» !

Ο στόχος του προγράμματος είναι να εκπαιδεύσει τους συμμετέχοντες στη δημιουργία εκπαιδευτικών παιγνίων αξιοποιώντας το Minecraft Education ως εργαλείο μάθησης. Εστιάζει στην ανάπτυξη ψηφιακών δεξιοτήτων, παιδαγωγικών προσεγγίσεων και δημιουργικών σεναρίων για την τάξη. Σκοπός είναι η ενίσχυση της ενεργητικής μάθησης και της εμπλοκής των μαθητών μέσω παιχνιδοποίησης.

Το Πρόγραμμα απευθύνεται σε: Εκπαιδευτικούς Πρωτοβάθμιας και Δευτεροβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης, Φοιτητές (Μεταπτυχιακούς & μη), Προγραμματιστές και σχεδιαστές εκπαιδευτικών παιγνίων, Εκπαιδευτικούς Οργανισμούς και Κέντρα – Φροντιστήρια (δημοσίου και ιδιωτικού δικαίου), Οργανισμούς Εκπαίδευσης και Κατάρτισης (δημοσίου και ιδιωτικού δικαίου), Γονείς και Κηδεμόνες, Gamers και Minecraft Enthusiasts.

Το Πρόγραμμα προσφέρει:

  • Μοριοδότηση για πίνακες ΑΣΕΠ (σύμφωνα με την ισχύουσα νομοθεσία)
  • Εφαρμοσμένες γνώσεις στη δημιουργία εκπαιδευτικών σεναρίων με χρήση του Minecraft Education
  • Πλήρως ασύγχρονη παρακολούθηση – μελέτη στον δικό σου ρυθμό
  • Πιστοποιητικό Επιμόρφωσης από το Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών
  • Υποστήριξη από εξειδικευμένους εκπαιδευτές και πρόσβαση σε πλούσιο εκπαιδευτικό υλικό

Η συνολική διάρκεια του Προγράμματος είναι 400 ωρών, (με έναρξη της 23/06/2025 και λήξη 29/12/2025) το πρόγραμμα περιλαμβάνει διαφάνειες, βίντεο, μελέτες περίπτωσης και πρακτικές ασκήσεις, διασφαλίζοντας μια ολοκληρωμένη μαθησιακή εμπειρία.

Η συμμετοχή των εκπαιδευόμενων στο κόστος* φοίτησης είναι 460 €. Η πληρωμή των τελών φοίτησης γίνεται είτε σε δύο ισόποσες δόσεις, μία πριν την έναρξη του προγράμματος και μία στο μέσο του προγράμματος, είτε με εφάπαξ καταβολή πριν την έναρξη του προγράμματος.

*Το Κ.Ε.ΔΙ.ΒΙ.Μ. του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών, στα πλαίσια της κοινωνικής πολιτικής που εφαρμόζει, προσφέρει έκπτωση επί των τελών συμμετοχής σε ειδικές κατηγορίες εκπαιδευομένων, όπως π.χ. σε προπτυχιακούς/μεταπτυχιακούς φοιτητές και υποψήφιους διδάκτορες του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών, σε ευαίσθητες και ευπαθείς κοινωνικές ομάδες, κλπ. Το κόστος σε αυτήν την περίπτωση διαμορφώνεται στα 390 € (έκπτωση 15%).

✍️ Κάνε την Αίτησή σου Σήμερα: 👉 Υποβολή Αίτησης στο https://kedivim.upatras.gr/…/aitisi-dimiourgia…/

SIMOnS project’s third face to face meeting held in Finland

The third Transnational Project Meeting, held in Finland on April 3rd and 4th, was a productive and engaging gathering for all partners involved in the project. The meeting began with presentations from each partner institution, offering updates on progress and contributions across the various work packages.

The agenda included in-depth discussions led by the main partners responsible for the literature review, content production, and the ongoing development of the SIMOnS app, which remains on track for release in mid-2025. The team discussed the user trial results in order to refine or improve the mobile app, marking another important step forward in refining the project’s outputs.

Celebrating the New Year at the Software Quality and Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory!

Good luck knows no season! 🎉

At the Software Quality and Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory, we recently gathered to cut our New Year’s cake, embracing the tradition of welcoming good fortune and success for the year ahead.

A Gathering of Innovation & Collaboration

This special occasion brought together not only our lab members but also esteemed colleagues from our Department and the University, making it a moment of unity, collaboration, and shared aspirations for the future.

Wishing for a Year of Growth

As we continue our journey in Human-Computer Interaction, Eye Tracking, Virtual Reality, and more, we look forward to a year filled with innovation, groundbreaking research, and exciting projects.

A big thank you to everyone who joined—we’re excited for what’s to come!

The GUESS Virtual World Is Officially Complete! 🌍

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news — the GUESS Virtual World Learning Environment (VWLE) is now fully developed!

After months of dedicated work, collaboration, and creative energy from our international team, the GUESS project has reached a major milestone. The result is an innovative, 3D immersive platform designed to enhance environmental awareness and sustainability education through gamified learning.

The GUESS VWLE is part of the Erasmus+ KA2 project, aiming to equip university students with essential environmental knowledge in a way that’s interactive, engaging, and impactful. By combining cutting-edge technology with educational best practices, the platform offers learners an opportunity to explore real-world issues in a virtual setting — making the experience both meaningful and memorable.

From interactive missions and dynamic learning spaces to collaborative challenges, every detail of the virtual world has been carefully crafted to spark curiosity and promote action toward a more sustainable future.

As we move into the next phase, we’re excited to start integrating GUESS into educational programs and showcasing its potential across institutions. Stay tuned for updates, pilot testing, and opportunities to experience the platform firsthand!

Vocational High School of Egio Visits Our Lab!

On Thursday, March 20th, we had the pleasure of hosting the students of the Vocational High School of Egio at the Software Quality and Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory!

During their visit, students had the opportunity to explore our lab, engage with cutting-edge technology, and dive into the exciting field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).

Hands-On Learning Experience

From Eye Tracking and Virtual Reality (VR) to Physiological Sensors, students witnessed firsthand how these innovative technologies function. They learned how data is collected, visualized, and analyzed, gaining valuable insights into the role of HCI in modern research and development.

A Day of Innovation & Inspiration

This interactive experience allowed students to:
✔️ Experiment with real-world HCI applications
✔️ Understand the significance of user experience research
✔️ Witness how biometric and behavioral data impact technology design

Thank You!

A huge thank you to all the students and faculty who participated! Your curiosity and enthusiasm made this visit truly special. We look forward to inspiring the next generation of innovators in technology and interaction design!

Stay tuned for more updates on our research and educational initiatives!

GUESS Project Meeting Kicks Off a Promising New Year

The Software Quality and Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory started the year with an exciting milestone—the latest GUESS Project Meeting took place on January 14th, bringing together all project partners to exchange updates, evaluate progress, and outline the next steps for this dynamic international collaboration.

Hands-On Testing in the GUESS Virtual World

A key moment of the meeting was a hands-on session in the GUESS virtual world, where partners had the opportunity to test interactive educational games in a simulated environment. This collaborative session offered valuable insights and feedback, supporting the ongoing improvement of the user experience and technical design.

Looking Ahead

As active contributors to the GUESS Project, our lab is proud to support the development of immersive, game-based learning environments. The project reflects our commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary research, and impactful educational technologies. We look forward to continued collaboration and new achievements throughout the year.

Concluding the 4th Transnational Project Meeting at Lyceum Manin in Cremona, Italy

On December 9-10, 2024, we successfully wrapped up the 4th Transnational Project Meeting of the RAISE project at Lyceum Manin, in Cremona, Italy, marking a major milestone in our journey toward fostering environmental awareness among students.

The event served as a dynamic platform for collaboration, where partners exchanged valuable insights and feedback on the final version of our virtual world—a cutting-edge tool designed to inspire and educate students on sustainability.

Over the course of two days, participants shared experiences, discussed next steps, and worked together to ensure the platform’s effectiveness in empowering the next generation of environmentally conscious learners. The spirit of teamwork and innovation was truly on display, reflecting the core values of the RAISE project.

huge thank you to all participants for their dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm. Your contributions have been instrumental in bringing this project to life and ensuring its long-lasting impact.

The RAISE project continues to show that through collaboration and innovation, we can shape a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come!

SIMOnS project Infographic

Exciting news from the SIMOnS project! Our state-of-the-art report on learning and assessing digital skills is complete, marking a major milestone in our journey.

Now, we’re gearing up for the next phase: Educational Content Production! This step involves gathering innovative learning materials to implement in the SIMOnS app, making digital skills education more accessible and personalized than ever before.

Visit the project’s social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonsproject/
Website: https://www.simonsproject.eu/homepage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simons-project-0918a02b8/