University of Crete

About: University of Crete is a education organization based out in Rethymno, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 8681 authors who have published 21684 publications receiving 709078 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistimio Kritis.

Using Mobile Devices for Teaching Realistic Mathematics in Kindergarten Education

Abstract: New ICT tools allow children to take advantage of new learning platforms as well aiding them effectively in attaining new knowledge through activities related to their immediate interests and real life scenarios. Nowadays, computers and digital applications are a part of the daily life of children. In kindergarten education, properly designed digital educational activities can become a very powerful educational tool for efficient and effective learning. The utilization of interactive activities may contribute towards the growth of learning incentives as well as proper mental development in particular areas; such as mathematics and science. Mobile devices have new attractive features and provide considerable advantages in the teaching of mathematics in kindergarten education. Our study proposes the integration of mobile devices, running our own specially designed learning activity applications, in kindergarten classrooms. These applications are based on the three levels of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) targeting fundamental mathematical concepts for the kindergarten level. We intend to gather information on effectiveness of the incorporation of these devices and applications as leaning tools for kindergarteners.

Modelling the spectral energy distribution of galaxies. V. The dust and PAH emission SEDs of disk galaxies

Abstract: We present a self-consistent model of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of spiral galaxies from the ultraviolet (UV) to the mid-infrared (MIR)/far-infrared (FIR)/submillimeter (submm) based on a full radiative transfer calculation of the propagation of starlight in galaxy disks. This model predicts not only the total integrated energy absorbed in the UV/optical and re-emitted in the infrared/submm, but also the colours of the dust emission based on an explicit calculation of the strength and colour of the UV/optical radiation fields heating the dust, and incorporating a full calculation of the stochastic heating of small dust grains and PAH molecules. The geometry of the translucent components of the model is empirically constrained using the results from the radiation transfer analysis of Xilouris et al. on spirals in the middle range of the Hubble sequence, while the geometry of the optically thick components is constrained from physical considerations with a posteriori checks of the model predictions with observational data. These geometrical constraints enable the dust emission to be predicted in terms of a minimum set of free parameters: the central face-on dust opacity in the B-band tau^f_B, a clumpiness factor F for the star-forming regions, the star-formation rate SFR, the normalised luminosity of the old stellar population old and the bulge-to-disk ratio B/D. We show that these parameters are almost orthogonal in their predicted effect on the colours of the dust/PAH emission. The results of the calculations are made available in the form of a large library of simulated dust emission SEDs spanning the whole parameter space of our model, together with the corresponding library of dust attenuation calculated using the same model. (see full abstract in the paper)

Educational apps from the Android Google Play for Greek preschoolers

Abstract: In the seven years since the introduction of the tablet (Apple iPad) in 2010, the use of software for smart mobile devices has grown rapidly in popularity and has become a hotly debated issue in the field of education and child development. However, the rise in popularity of mobile applications (apps) mainly addressed to young children is not in line with a corresponding increase in their quality, as there is conflicting evidence about the real value and suitability of educational apps. The purpose of this study was to examine whether self-proclaimed educational apps for Greek preschoolers have been designed in accordance with developmentally appropriate standards to contribute to the social, emotional and cognitive development of children in formal and informal learning environments. The study results were discouraging. The majority of the apps aimed to teach children the basics about numbers and letters. Overall, they were drill-and-practice-style, based on a low level of thinking skills, thereby promoting rote learning, and were unable to contribute to a deeper conceptual understanding of certain concepts. High quality educational apps are hard to find.Self-proclaimed educational apps do not meet the developmental needs of preschoolers.There is a need for a reliable and effective framework for evaluating mobile content.This study suggests avenues of investigation for the design of apps.

Attempting to understand (and control) the relationship between structure and magnetism in an extended family of Mn(6) single-molecule magnets.

Abstract: The synthesis and characterisation of a large family of hexametallic [MnIII6] Single-Molecule Magnets of general formula [MnIII6O2(R-sao)6(X)2(sol)4–6] (where R = H, Me, Et; X = −O2CR′ (R′ = H, Me, Ph etc) or Hal−; sol = EtOH, MeOH and/or H2O) are presented. We show how deliberate structural distortions of the [Mn3O] trinuclear moieties within the [Mn6] complexes are used to tune their magnetic properties. These findings highlight a qualitative magneto-structural correlation whereby the type (anti- or ferromagnetic) of each Mn2 pairwise magnetic exchange is dominated by the magnitude of each individual Mn-N-O-Mn torsion angle. The observation of magneto-structural correlations on such large polymetallic complexes is rare and represents one of the largest studies of this kind.