Educators are continuously seeking ways to engage their students in active learning processes and are faced with challenges that include engaging students in learning activities, promoting meaningful learning experiences, and providing effective experiences for every student. Studies that investigate instructors' experiences are limited since more focus is given to students. Future research calls for teachers' innovative contributions in introducing new strategies and teaching approaches to further involve students, increase student attendance in online sessions, and employ a variety of technological tools. Fostering Meaningful Learning Experiences Through Student Engagement is an essential reference source for the latest scholarly information on curriculum development, instructional design, and pedagogical methods for fostering student engagement learning initiatives. The book examines engagement and meaningful learning techniques in both face-to-face and online instruction. Covering topics that include active learning, language learning, teacher experiences, and teacher-student relationships, this book is ideally designed for teachers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, academicians, researchers, professionals, and students that believe that stronger or improved student engagement should be their instructional objectives and wish to engage students in learning activities that promote meaningful learning experiences.
Eteokleous, Nikleia: - Dr. Nikleia Eteokleous holds a PhD in Educational Administration with emphasis in Educational Technology (confirmed 2004), M. Ed in Instructional Systems (2003), and M. Ed in Educational Administration (2002) from the Pennsylvania State University and BA in Public and Business Administration (Specialization: Finance) (2001) from the University of Cyprus. She works as an Associate Professor in Educational Technology at the Educational Sciences Department, School of Educational and Social Sciences at Frederick University. She is also the Head of the Distance Learning Committee (responsible for policy development, strategic planning, and professional development training in regards to the distance learning programs offered by the University- undergraduates and graduates). Her research interests focus on technology integration in the educational practice, such as computer applications, Internet tools (Web 2.0 tools, educational networking), educational software, and mobile devices; teacher education and technology, designing learning environments enhanced with technology and online learning environments. She is also involved in research activities related to open and online distance learning, and the integration of robotics in the educational practice. She is the co-founder of Frederick' University Robotics Academy (https: //www.facebook.com/AkadimiaRompotikis/), a research and educational unit that promotes and conduct research in the area of robotics education. Various research studies are conducted related to educational robotics and overall STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) in education. Numerous papers, book chapters and conference papers are published in regards to educational robotics, STEAM and the development of problem based skills, 21st century skills, creativity, computational thinking skills, disciplinary learning objectives. Additionally, the Robotics Academy developed an innovative educational robotics curriculum for elementary school kids where numerous robotics packages, visual programming environments, hands-on, web-based and unplugged activities are employed. She has published articles in established and well-known international scientific journals, book chapters as well as conference proceedings. She has presented various scientific papers in international and national conferences. In addition, her academic activities include participation in numerous research projects having different roles and responsibilities. She is an elected member of Frederick's University Senate, and an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Scientific Association for the Integration of Computer Technology in Education Council and registered member of several scientific organizations such as AERA (American Educational Research Association), AACE (Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education). Finally, she served as the ambassador of Cyprus in EPALE- Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (during 2019 (in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture) (https: //epale.ec.europa.eu/en). In November 2019, she has been appointed member of the Education and Culture Committee (Parallel Parliament). Finally, in October 2020 she has been appointed by the Cyprus Minister of Education as member of the Digital Technology Exploitation in Education advisory board.
Ktoridou, Despo: - "Despo Ktoridou is a professor at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. She is also the Head of the Management & MIS Department of the School of Business since 2012. Despo is a Certified Engineer of the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) and a member of IEEE and ACM Associations. In the period 1993-1999 Despo worked as a Senior Computer Engineer for various organizations in Cyprus. In 1999 she entered academia, as an Assistant Professor of Educational Technologies until 2007. In 2007, she was promoted to Associate Professor and in 2019, she was ranked as Professor. Her research focuses on the areas of ICT Integration in the Educational Practice; Technology and Innovation Management Pedagogies; and Open and Online Distance Learning Practices. She has presented and published papers, chaired Sessions, served as reviewer and member of the Program Committee for numerous refereed international conferences. She has contributed several chapters in books, served as a guest editor and reviewer and published several papers in refereed journals. She has also participated in EU and local funded programs and has been invited by foreign universities as a guest lecturer. Professor Ktoridou completed her BSc. and MSc. of Science in Engineering, in the field of Computer Systems & Networks in the Engineering & Science Department of Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University in Russia. Her PhD thesis title was 'Expert Systems in Education - Distance Learning Educational System for Early Childhood Education: Methods, Facilities and Means'."
