www.learningsummit.eu 23 Friday 13th September, 15.45-17.45 Session 5: Case Studies of XR & Informatics in Education Enhancing Informatics Education in Cyprus: Detailed Insights from the TINKER Project Chrysanthi Konstanti1, Efi Nisiforou2, Eleni Trichina3 and Charalambos Vrasidas4 1. CARDET, Nicosia, Cyprus 2. University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus 3. University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus 4. CARDET, Nicosia, Cyprus Informatics education is still fragmented with regards to its content and curricula, and the pedagogical approaches for teaching and assessing informatics across schools in Europe. The TINKER project is a comprehensive Europe-wide initiative investigating the state of informatics education using a mixedmethods approach, including focus groups with teachers (n=55) and an extensive online survey (n=432) to identify common challenges and national variations in informatics education. For this paper, we present in detail the results obtained from Cyprus. The research addresses persistent issues in informatics education within Cypriot schools, such as limited resources, inadequate teacher training, and unclear guidelines. These challenges are compounded by significant barriers such as resistance to change, insufficient support structures, and a scarcity of appropriate educational materials, impeding the fostering of authentic learning environments and achieving gender inclusivity in informatics classrooms. Key areas for improvement include teacher training, resource allocation, and clear implementation guidelines. Analysis of the Cypriot data reveals a consistent narrative of obstacles that align with those found in other countries despite specific national policy differences. The research results underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive pedagogical framework integrating authentic learning and gender inclusivity into informatics education, particularly where informatics is not a standalone subject. The TINKER framework aims to develop students; digital critical thinking and foundational informatics skills, addressing existing gaps. The TINKER approach, which emphasizes these elements, is a valuable tool for educational reforms in Cyprus. The study highlights the importance of coordinated efforts and strategic interventions to enhance authentic and inclusive informatics education, preparing students for the digital age. XR Scan: The case of Flanders schools Pieter Schutijser1 and Stéphanie Vanneste2 1. Gent University, Belgium 2. Gent University, Belgium In Flanders, the XR Action Plan was rolled out, involving the distribution of XR hardware and software, software development, and professionalization of in- service teachers of secondary education. For those secondary schools, it is not always clear how XR-ready they are. Therefore, UGent and partners developed an XR scan based on several theoretical frameworks: Utaut, Horvers, Four-in-balance, Reference Framework of Educational Quality, etc. By completing the questionnaire, the schools are graded on 10 XR-related domains: hardware, network and management, software, vision, policy, professionalization, integration into teaching practice, teachers’ perceptions and attitudes, teachers’
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