Examining teachers' attitudes/perceptions and their influence on behaviour can be an important step in understanding the psychosocial factors affecting teachers' use of Information and Communication Technology in teaching. This study attempted to provide such an understanding by elaborating Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour (TPB), a widely applied psychosocial theory in modeling behaviours. Basically, TPB explains a behaviour as a consequence of attitude towards the behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. These three direct factors of TPB are, in turn, influenced by salient beliefs or indirect factors: behavioural, normative, and control beliefs, respectively. In this study, the TPB was modified by (1) decomposing each of the three types of beliefs into two dimensions respectively, and (2) incorporating external variables – age, sex, subject taught, teaching experience, teaching period, qualification, level of class, classroom access, and computer laboratory access. Using these predictor variables, an Information and Communication Technology Use Model (ICTUM) was developed for assessment and comparison in performance with the TPB. Using a survey questionnaire, data were collected from a total of 1,040 secondary school teachers in eighteen government schools in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Structural equation modeling, using AMOS 5.0 software, was employed as the major statistical analytic technique for a series of data analyses: measurement model assessment for validity and reliability tests; and assessments of the models, ICTUM and TPB. The proposed model, ICTUM, was found to fit only marginally and the modification efforts through beliefs decomposition and external variables incorporation provided only a small increase in the amounts of variance explained by the predictor variables. However, the TPB model of direct factors was found to be a good-fitting model showing attitude towards behaviour, and perceived behavioural control; as predictors of intention; and intention as a stronger predictor of use of ICT than perceived behavioural control. By demonstrating the significance of those factors as predictors of intention and use of ICT, this study suggests that augmenting teachers' positive attitudes towards the use of ICT and supporting them technically and personally could encourage teachers to increase the use of ICT in their teaching. This study also suggested a need for future research on the direct influence of salient beliefs on intention, and behaviour (use of ICT) respectively. Although the TPB model is theoretically and statistically justifiable, further testing with different samples is required. Through its use of a theoretical and statistical modeling approach, the current study represents an initial step towards uncovering fundamental mechanisms that explain teacher use of ICT in teaching.

For future generations to maximise their capability to operate within technologically driven economies, it is critical to foster computer abilities at every level of the schooling process. Teachers are central to this process. Yet, for many teachers, the need to integrate computer use in their teaching is threatening and overwhelming. This thesis argues that, given the rapid rate of technological change, skills-based approaches to computer education inadequately prepare teachers for a career of continued technological change. Effective computer education for teachers requires more than skills training. It involves changes in attitudes, values and beliefs that provide confidence for ongoing learning. Furthermore, it involves learning to adapt to change, to be flexible, intuitive and above all persistent. It requires the fostering of teachers who know how to be self-directed and independent in their computer learning, rather than those dependent on structured routines or guidelines. This thesis is the ‘story’ of an action research initiative underpinned by a belief in the importance of approaches to computer education which foster lifelong computer learning. It traces the journey of a reflexive process of change and iterative development in the teaching of an educational information technology (computer) unit to pre-service teacher education students. Over a period of three years (1999-2001) I pursued a central research question, namely: How can I develop my teaching practice to better facilitate the development of capable computer users? The research explores the distinction between a ‘competent’ and a ‘capable’ computer user and trials a range of teaching and learning approaches that aim to facilitate the development of capable computer users.From this constructivist research and teaching process a multidimensional approach to computer education emerged, founded on metacognition and reflection. This approach is demonstrated to offer many advantages over a skills-focused approach. This thesis maps the complexity of the computer learning and teaching context, arguing that simplistic approaches to teaching will produce narrow and limited learning outcomes. Rather, a holistic approach is proposed, one that moves beyond the development of computer competency toward a longer term vision of facilitating computer capability. It is argued that the role of the computer ‘teacher’ is to foster reflective awareness and develop a learning environment that can assist computer learners to become comfortable existing on the ‘edge of chaos’.This research supports previous studies which indicate the important role of computer self efficacy and the influence of factors such as perceived usefulness, anxiety, support and frequency and duration of use. However, the research also documents the unpredictable influence of these factors on individuals’ resultant approach to computers and challenges dichotomous interpretations of such factors. Appropriate attribution is also shown to be a major influence on computer capability, as are factors such as help-seeking, motivation and goal-setting, although again, these influences are non-linear. It is argued that computer capability cannot be ‘taught’ but, rather, computer educators should look to creating environments where its emergence can be facilitated. The metacognitive computer learning context developed and explored through this research is one such approach.

The impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is a significant issue in today's tourism industry. The development of the internet has made information easily accessible to consumers, and has therefore established a direct link between consumers and suppliers. As a result, traditional travel distribution channels are changing rapidly. A major feature of this change is "disintermediation", with principals such as airlines, hotels and rental car chains bypassing intermediaries and sell directly to consumers. Travel agents (TAs) are considered to be particularly vulnerable to this process. ICTs have the potential to replace their core competencies, which include transaction processing (ticketing and settlement) and information provision (raw product information provided by suppliers).This thesis focuses on the impact of ICTs on the TA sector, and specifically on the New Zealand TA case. A theoretical approach based on regulation theory combined with a mixed method approach was used to investigate the main issues in New Zealand. The research included a case study to identify the principal issues and trends in the TA sector, in-depth interviews with TAs and industry specialists to refine the main issues and allow the formulation of some theoretical assumptions, in-depth interviews with consumers regarding the role of TAs in the internet era and the quality of service they provide, and a fully-structured, national on-line survey of TAs to verify the assumptions made in the earlier interviews and test the applicability of the post-Fordism model for the New Zealand TA sector.Based on the findings, it is argued that disintermediation is particularly pronounced in the relationship between airlines and travel agents. To minimise the risk of disintermediation and improve business performance, TAs need to reposition themselves and review their core strategies to compete efficiently in the changing business environment. The thesis reveals that consumers perceive TAs as mainly "transaction facilitators". Nevertheless the thesis show that process of "reintermediation" is a reality for some New Zealand TAs.An application of regulation theory to the New Zealand TA case reveals that in its traditional form, the regulation theory cannot explain the complexities found in the modern TA environment. The thesis reveals several distinct modes in TA perceptions of their business environment and their survival strategies, which indicates a heterogeneous, clustered population. A "formula for success" is developed for TAs in New Zealand. In this respect, TAs that perceive ICT as a strategic tool and are orientated towards consumers appear to have a business advantage.

For future generations to maximise their capability to operate within technologically driven economies, it is critical to foster computer abilities at every level of the schooling process. Teachers are central to this process. Yet, for many teachers, the need to integrate computer use in their teaching is threatening and overwhelming. This thesis argues that, given the rapid rate of technological change, skills-based approaches to computer education inadequately prepare teachers for a career of continued technological change. Effective computer education for teachers requires more than skills training. It involves changes in attitudes, values and beliefs that provide confidence for ongoing learning. Furthermore, it involves learning to adapt to change, to be flexible, intuitive and above all persistent. It requires the fostering of teachers who know how to be self-directed and independent in their computer learning, rather than those dependent on structured routines or guidelines. This thesis is the ‘story’ of an action research initiative underpinned by a belief in the importance of approaches to computer education which foster lifelong computer learning. It traces the journey of a reflexive process of change and iterative development in the teaching of an educational information technology (computer) unit to pre-service teacher education students. Over a period of three years (1999-2001) I pursued a central research question, namely: How can I develop my teaching practice to better facilitate the development of capable computer users? The research explores the distinction between a ‘competent’ and a ‘capable’ computer user and trials a range of teaching and learning approaches that aim to facilitate the development of capable computer users.From this constructivist research and teaching process a multidimensional approach to computer education emerged, founded on metacognition and reflection. This approach is demonstrated to offer many advantages over a skills-focused approach. This thesis maps the complexity of the computer learning and teaching context, arguing that simplistic approaches to teaching will produce narrow and limited learning outcomes. Rather, a holistic approach is proposed, one that moves beyond the development of computer competency toward a longer term vision of facilitating computer capability. It is argued that the role of the computer ‘teacher’ is to foster reflective awareness and develop a learning environment that can assist computer learners to become comfortable existing on the ‘edge of chaos’.This research supports previous studies which indicate the important role of computer self efficacy and the influence of factors such as perceived usefulness, anxiety, support and frequency and duration of use. However, the research also documents the unpredictable influence of these factors on individuals’ resultant approach to computers and challenges dichotomous interpretations of such factors. Appropriate attribution is also shown to be a major influence on computer capability, as are factors such as help-seeking, motivation and goal-setting, although again, these influences are non-linear. It is argued that computer capability cannot be ‘taught’ but, rather, computer educators should look to creating environments where its emergence can be facilitated. The metacognitive computer learning context developed and explored through this research is one such approach.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Understanding factors that enhance or diminish performance levels of individuals is instrumental for achieving individual (low level) and organisational (high level) goals. In this study, the effect of social network structure, position, ties and information and communication technologies (ICT) use on performance attitudes of knowledge intensive workers in dispersed occupational communities is investigated. Based on social network theories of strength of weak ties and structural holes, and the social influence model of technology use, a theoretical framework is developed. In conjunction with qualitative interviews conducted with subject matter experts, the framework is used to further develop and refine a valid and reliable survey instrument. Secondly, network measures of degree centrality, density, structural holes (constraint and efficiency), tie strength and tie diversity are applied for exploring the association with ICT use and performance from a sample of 110 rural general practitioners. Empirical results suggest that network structure, position and ties of knowledge workers play a crucial role in individual performance and ICT use. In particular, degree centrality and task-level ICT use was found to be positively associated with performance while ego-network constraint was found to be negatively correlated with performance. In terms of ICT use, functional diversity and degree centrality were positively associated with task-level ICT use whereas ego-network efficiency was found to be negatively correlated with ICT use at the communication-structure level. Among the variables that showed significance, degree centrality best explained overall variance for performance, and functional diversity best explained overall variance for task-level ICT use, although professional accreditations remains a potent indicator also. The results from this study resonate with findings from past literature and extend traditional theory of social networks and performance within the micro level to include geographically dispersed individuals involved in knowledge intensive work. For individuals in such non-competitive settings, traditional network theories such as structural holes theory still apply. However, a key finding is that network structure is a much more potent predictor of performance although network position is important. The second key finding addresses a major gap in the literature concerning understanding social processes that influence ICT use. As the technology acceptance and the social influence models lack empirical evidence from a social networks perspective, this research shows that rather than the strength of ties which functions as a conduit of novel ideas and information, it is the functional tie diversity within individual professionals networks that increase ICT use at the task-level. Methodologically, the study contributes towards a triangulation approach that utilises both qualitative and quantitative methods for operationalising the study. The quantitative method includes a non-traditional “networks” method of data collection and analysis to serve as a fine complement to traditional research methods in behavioural studies. The outcome is a valid and reliable survey instrument that allows collection of both individual attribute and social network data. The instrument is theoretically driven, practically feasible to implement, time-efficient and easily replicable for other similar studies. At the domain level, key findings from this study contradict previous literature which suggests that professionals in occupational communities such as general practitioners decline in performance as they age. In fact, findings from this study suggest that age and experience do not affect for performance; rather, there is a negative relationship between experience and task-level ICT use, and that task-level ICT use is positively associated with performance in terms of attitudes to interpersonal care. Furthermore, degree centrality is also positively associated with professional accreditations, such as fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, which is conducive to performance in terms of attitudes to interpersonal and technical care. The contextual implication from the quantitative and qualitative evidence of this study is that while contemplating strategies for optimising ICT use or for improving attitudes to quality of care at the technical and interpersonal level, the importance of social structure, position and relations in the practitioner’s professional network needs to be considered carefully as part of the overall individual and organisation-level goals.

Examining teachers' attitudes/perceptions and their influence on behaviour can be an important step in understanding the psychosocial factors affecting teachers' use of Information and Communication Technology in teaching. This study attempted to provide such an understanding by elaborating Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour (TPB), a widely applied psychosocial theory in modeling behaviours. Basically, TPB explains a behaviour as a consequence of attitude towards the behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. These three direct factors of TPB are, in turn, influenced by salient beliefs or indirect factors: behavioural, normative, and control beliefs, respectively. In this study, the TPB was modified by (1) decomposing each of the three types of beliefs into two dimensions respectively, and (2) incorporating external variables – age, sex, subject taught, teaching experience, teaching period, qualification, level of class, classroom access, and computer laboratory access. Using these predictor variables, an Information and Communication Technology Use Model (ICTUM) was developed for assessment and comparison in performance with the TPB. Using a survey questionnaire, data were collected from a total of 1,040 secondary school teachers in eighteen government schools in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Structural equation modeling, using AMOS 5.0 software, was employed as the major statistical analytic technique for a series of data analyses: measurement model assessment for validity and reliability tests; and assessments of the models, ICTUM and TPB. The proposed model, ICTUM, was found to fit only marginally and the modification efforts through beliefs decomposition and external variables incorporation provided only a small increase in the amounts of variance explained by the predictor variables. However, the TPB model of direct factors was found to be a good-fitting model showing attitude towards behaviour, and perceived behavioural control; as predictors of intention; and intention as a stronger predictor of use of ICT than perceived behavioural control. By demonstrating the significance of those factors as predictors of intention and use of ICT, this study suggests that augmenting teachers' positive attitudes towards the use of ICT and supporting them technically and personally could encourage teachers to increase the use of ICT in their teaching. This study also suggested a need for future research on the direct influence of salient beliefs on intention, and behaviour (use of ICT) respectively. Although the TPB model is theoretically and statistically justifiable, further testing with different samples is required. Through its use of a theoretical and statistical modeling approach, the current study represents an initial step towards uncovering fundamental mechanisms that explain teacher use of ICT in teaching.

Η ενσωμάτωση των ΤΠΕ στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία είναι μια ιδιαίτερα δύσκολη και περίπλοκη διαδικασία. Η προβληματική που αναπτύσσεται στη χώρα μας για την προετοιμασία των εκπαιδευτικών ώστε να χρησιμοποιήσουν αποτελεσματικά τις ΤΠΕ στη διδακτική πράξη ξεκίνησε παρόλα τα προβλήματα με καλούς οιωνούς. Στη συγκεκριμένη μελέτη γίνεται καταγραφή και διερεύνηση των απόψεων εκπαιδευτικών ,που συμμετείχαν στο πρόγραμμα επιμόρφωσης Β΄ Επιπέδου ,αφενός μεν προς την χρήση της Τεχνολογίας Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνίας (Τ.Π.Ε) στη διδακτική και μαθησιακή διαδικασία και αφετέρου ως προς το πρόγραμμα επιμόρφωσης. Πιο συγκεκριμένα καταγράφονται οι απόψεις των εκπαιδευτικών που συμμετείχαν στην επιμόρφωση γύρω από τι θεωρούν ότι αποκόμισαν από αυτήν, εάν και κατά πόσο άλλαξε η θεώρησή τους απέναντι στη χρήση των νέων τεχνολογιών στην εκπαίδευση, πώς θα αξιοποιήσουν τις γνώσεις που έλαβαν από την επιμόρφωση στη διδασκαλία το μαθήματός τους. Τέλος καταγράφονται οι απόψεις τους για τον τρόπο διεξαγωγής της συγκεκριμένης επιμόρφωσης. / This particular study both investigates and records the opinions expressed by the teachers who participated in the in-service training course (Level B). Firstly we recorded how they feel towards the use of Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T) in the instructive and training process and secondly the evaluation of the course itself. Specifically we investigated how the participants viewed the course and whether it led them to consider the adoption of new technologies in the educational process. Also we investigated how they would implement the acquired knowledge in their teaching environments. Finally, we recorded how they assessed this particular training course.

Μέσα στο πλαίσιο μιας παγκόσμιας κοινωνίας η οποία μεταβάλλεται με υπερβολικά γρήγορους ρυθμούς και χαρακτηρίζεται από έντονα στοιχεία πολυπλοκότητας, οι Τεχνολογίες Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνιών επηρεάζουν καθοριστικά κάθε πτυχή της οικονομικής, επαγγελματικής, κοινωνικής και ατομικής ζωής. Όσον αφορά στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία μέσα στην Ελληνική πραγματικότητα, ο τρόπος με τον οποίο οι μαθητές «μαθαίνουν», δεν έχει αλλάξει ουσιαστικά τα τελευταία 40 χρόνια. Οι ΤΠΕ μπορούν να παίξουν ένα σπουδαίο ρόλο στο «Νέο Σχολείο», το οποίο τοποθετεί το μαθητή στο επίκεντρο της εκπαιδευτικής διαδικασίας, ο οποίος μετέχει ενεργητικά στις δραστηριότητες μάθησης. Για να επιτευχθεί αυτός ο στόχος, θα πρέπει ο εκπαιδευτικός να διαθέτει τα απαραίτητα εφόδια που θα του επιτρέψουν να λειτουργήσει στη νέα πραγματικότητα και να αξιοποιήσει τα νέα δεδομένα με χρήση των ΤΠΕ. Μέσα από τα έργα «Επιμόρφωση Εκπαιδευτικών στη Χρήση και Αξιοποίηση των ΤΠΕ στην Εκπαιδευτική Διδακτική Διαδικασία» της Κατηγορίας Πράξεων 2.1.1.θ. «Επιμόρφωση εκπαιδευτικών στις Τεχνολογίες Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνιών (ΤΠΕ)» του ΕΠΕΑΕΚ ΙΙ και «Επιμόρφωση των εκπαιδευτικών για την αξιοποίηση και εφαρμογή των ΤΠΕ στη διδακτική πράξη» του ΕΠ «Εκπαίδευση και Δια Βίου Μάθηση», ΕΣΠΑ (2007-2013), το οποίο υλοποιείται με τη συγχρηματοδότηση της ΕΕ και του ΕΚΤ έχει ξεκινήσει προσπάθεια επιμόρφωσης μεγάλου αριθμού εκπαιδευτικών των ελληνικών σχολείων της πρωτοβάθμιας και της δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης στη διδακτική αξιοποίηση των Τεχνολογιών της Πληροφορίας και των Επικοινωνιών στην τάξη. Αυτές οι διαπιστώσεις αποτέλεσαν την αφορμή για την εκπόνηση της μελέτης που παρουσιάζεται στην παρούσα εργασία, και η οποία έχει ως σκοπό τη μελέτη του τρόπου σχεδίασης εκπαιδευτικών σεναρίων από εκπαιδευτικούς ΠΕ 60, με χρήση των ΤΠΕ. Το ζητούμενο ήταν να διαπιστώσουμε, σε ποιο βαθμό οι εκπαιδευτικοί που επιμορφώθηκαν με βάση το προαναφερόμενο έργο, κατασκεύασαν εκπαιδευτικά σενάρια σύμφωνα με τους βασικούς άξονες σχεδίασης και πως ανέδειξαν την προστιθέμενη αξία των ΤΠΕ. Συγκεκριμένα η εργασία αποτελείται από δύο μέρη: Στο πρώτο, που αφορά στη θεωρητική πλαισίωση του θέματος, γίνεται μια προσπάθεια καταγραφής της εξέλιξης της ένταξης των ΤΠΕ στην εκπαιδευτική διαδικασία σε Ελλάδα και εξωτερικό. Ειδικά όσον αφορά στην Ελληνική πραγματικότητα, γίνεται προσπάθεια συσχέτισης του Διαθεματικού Ενιαίου Πλαισίου Προγράμματος σπουδών με τις ΤΠΕ. Επίσης, ασχολείται με τις θεωρίες μάθησης και την εφαρμογή τους στη διδασκαλία και τη μάθηση με χρήση των ΤΠΕ. Στο δεύτερο μέρος παρουσιάζεται καταρχήν η μεθοδολογία που ακολουθείται (το αντικείμενο, το δείγμα, τα ερωτήματα και τα χρησιμοποιούμενα ερευνητικά εργαλεία) για τη διεξαγωγή της έρευνας. Στη συνέχεια το κύριο μέρος της εργασίας αφορά στην περιγραφική και πολυπαραγοντική ανάλυση των ερευνητικών δεδομένων. Τέλος η έρευνα ολοκληρώνεται με τη συζήτηση και σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων που πήραμε τόσο από την περιγραφική, όσο και από την πολυπαραγοντική ανάλυση, καθώς και με την επισήμανση διαφόρων ερωτημάτων ή παρατηρήσεων που προκύπτουν από την όλη διαδικασία και που πιθανότατα χρήζουν περαιτέρω διερεύνησης. / How ICT influence teachers on designing educational scripts.

Η εν λόγω διπλωματική εργασία πραγματεύεται ένα νέο και καινοτόμο θέμα που αφορά την εξέλιξη στο καθεστώς πρόνοιας και υγειονομικής περίθαλψης της τρίτης ηλικίας στο εξωτερικό και κατ’ επέκταση στην Ελλάδα. Εισαγωγικά, η επόμενη δεκαετία αναμένεται να παρουσιάσει σημαντική αύξηση στον αριθμό των ηλικιωμένων πολιτών με ταυτόχρονη μείωση του αριθμού των εργαζομένων στους τομείς φροντίδας των ηλικιωμένων καθώς, επίσης, και στους τομείς της υγειονομικής περίθαλψης. Η Ευρώπη αντιμετωπίζει ήδη τις προκλήσεις και τις απαιτήσεις που δημιουργεί η κατάσταση αυτή. Ένα από τα μέτρα που μπορεί να χρησιμεύσει για την αντιμετώπιση των ραγδαίων αλλαγών που παρατηρούνται, είναι η ανάπτυξη νέων τεχνολογιών με σκοπό την εξυπηρέτηση των ηλικιωμένων ατόμων στην καθημερινή τους ζωή. Ως “Ambient Assisted Living (AAL)”, λοιπόν, χαρακτηρίζεται το ευρωπαϊκό πρόγραμμα, κύριος στόχος του οποίου είναι η βελτίωση της ποιότητας ζωής των ηλικιωμένων πολιτών μέσω της ανάπτυξης ηλικιο-ευαίσθητων λύσεων ICT (ΤΠΕ) (ΤΠΕ: Τεχνολογίες Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνιών). Η παρούσα εργασία πραγματεύεται το συγκεκριμένο ευρωπαϊκό πρόγραμμα, αναλύει την τεχνολογία που υιοθετεί και εξελίσσει το κάθε κράτος ξεχωριστά, αλλά και τη διακρατική συνεργασία, καθώς, επίσης, και τις αντίστοιχες ελληνικές προσπάθειες στο εν λόγω πεδίο της τεχνολογίας πρόνοιας. Αναφέρεται λεπτομερώς στη διακρατική συνεργασία κυρίως μεταξύ των ευρωπαϊκών χωρών σε σχέση με την τεχνολογία πρόνοιας (welfare technology), που είναι ήδη σε εξέλιξη, καθώς και σε πολλές νέες εταιρικές σχέσεις που ενδεχομένως θα δημιουργηθούν στο άμεσο μέλλον. Επιπροσθέτως, αναφέρεται στην προσπάθεια του ευρωπαϊκού οργανισμού AGE που εξελίσσεται στο ίδιο πλαίσιο με αφορμή το έτος 2012 ως Ευρωπαϊκό Έτος για την Ενεργό Γήρανση και την Αλληλεγγύη μεταξύ των Γενεών. Γίνεται συζήτηση με αναφορές στο κέρδος και την οικονομική εξέλιξη μέσω αυτού του τομέα σε άλλα ευρωπαϊκά κράτη. Εκτός της ανάγκης για εξέλιξη τεχνολογιών που θα κριθούν επιβοηθητικές στην ποιότητα ζωής της Τρίτης ηλικίας, ο συγκεκριμένος τομέας παρέχει σε άλλες χώρες, όπως για παράδειγμα στη Γερμανία, μία δυνητικά πολύ σημαντική δυνατότητα για την ανάπτυξη του εμπορίου και της βιομηχανίας. Το γεγονός αυτό αποτελεί έναν ακόμη λόγο για περαιτέρω συζήτηση στην εξέλιξη αυτών των τεχνολογιών που δεν μπορεί να παραβλέψει κανείς, ειδικά σε κρίσιμες οικονομικές περιόδους. Επομένως, οι παραπάνω κινήσεις, επιβάλλεται να είναι το αποτέλεσμα της στενής συνεργασίας μεταξύ του Ερευνητικών Κέντρων/Πανεπιστημίων, Υπουργείων, Δήμων και Περιφερειών. Εν κατακλείδι γίνεται μια σύγκριση στην παραγωγή και υλοποίηση των ΤΠΕ σε Γερμανία και Ελλάδα, ενώ παράλληλα παρουσιάζονται νεότερες ιδέες και προτάσεις μέσα από τις πιο σύγχρονες τεχνολογίες που εκθέτονται. / This thesis addresses new and innovative questions concerning the development status and health care in old age abroad and hence to Greece. The next decade is expected to show a significant increase in the number of senior citizens while the number of employees in the area of elderly health care is significantly reducing. Europe is already facing the challenges and demands that this situation creates. One of the measures that can be used to address the rapid changes is the development of new technologies able to serve the elderly in their daily lives. As "Ambient Assisted Living (AAL)", stands the European project, whose main objective is to improve the quality of life of senior citizens through the development of age-sensitive solutions ICT (ICT: Information and Communication Technologies). This work discusses this European project, by analyzing the technology adopted and developed by the individual countries, and the transnational cooperation, and refers also to the corresponding Greek efforts in this field of technology assistance. Detailed transnational cooperation is analyzed, particularly among European countries in terms of technology assistance (welfare technology), which is already underway, and also the new partnerships that will be created in the near future. Furthermore, the effort of the European Agency AGE in the same context is addressed, also in terms of the fact that the year 2012 is marked as the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. There is also discussion with reference to the profit and economic development through this area in other European countries. Besides the need for development of technologies that is already highlighting the quality of seniors’ life, this sector provides to other countries, like for example Germany, a very significant potential for development of trade and industry. This is another reason for further analysis on the evolution of these technologies, especially during the times of economic crisis. Thus, the above investments should become the result of close cooperation between research centres / universities, Ministries, Municipalities and Regions. In conclusion, a comparison is made in the production and implementation of ICT in Germany and Greece whilst presenting newer ideas and suggestions displaying today’s latest technologies.

The society we live in today is covered by information and messages that are created by different forms of expression. Children born in this digital society, where they learn how to communicate through resources that they encounter in the kindergarten environment. In the kindergarten curriculum (Lpfö 98/10, p.10) says that "pre-school should strive to ensure that children develop an interest in the written language and an understanding of symbols and their communicative functions." For children to learn the written language, it is important that they exercise it through the different tools available in their environment. Through my thesis I have investigated children's written language development with a focus on writing. I have investigated children's understanding of scripture through various writing activities, that is to say with paper and pencil, letter stamps and the "e-reader" (Ipad). The survey was conducted through a qualitative study where both observations and interviews were used with the purpose of the study and issues. The issues analyzed in the study were: How children perceive their writing in various writing activities? How children understand newspapers, letters and postcards? What understanding have children of ICT use? Through the study, I have chosen to visit a kindergarten, where children between three and five years were attended in the study. But I focused myself most to the children between four and five years old, because at that age they want to explore and learn about their environment. In the analysis and results section, I have used three tables to write down the children's exact words about how they understood the written language and how they simultaneously acted to writing activities. Then I analyzed the results which I have linked to previous research and theoretical concepts.