Meet the Team

Malta

Dr. Ing. Lawrence Farrugia Caruana

Principle Investigator - UM

About Lawrence

Since 2019, I have been appointed as an academic member of the Department of Technology and Entrepreneurship Education. My academic background is in engineering design, design for emotions, and technology.

I graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Malta in 2017 after completing my M.Sc. (by research) in 2013. My research interests span across the domains of design theory and methods, decision making, human emotion, and the use of technology in teaching and learning. I have published several articles within these research areas. I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous projects, focusing on the use of technologies such as Computer Aided Design, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence.

The underlying goal of this project is that children will no longer be passive viewers of AR, but rather will directly make use of AR to actively create and share their stories as part of their language learning experience. As coordinator for the CARS project, I hope that the project will serve to showcase how technology, such as AR, can contribute to foster language, digital, and creative skills of children as well as teachers.

Dr. Jacqueline Żammit

Researcher - UM

Dr. Leonard Busuttil

Researcher - UM

David John Attard

Research Support Officer I - UM

About Jacqueline

Dr. Jacqueline Żammit is a member of the research team, alongside Dr. Ing. Lawrence Farrugia Caruana and Dr. Leonard Busuttil, in the CARS (Children as creators of Augmented Reality Stories) project. Drawing on her extensive background and expertise in Maltese pedagogy and teaching Maltese as a foreign language, Dr. Żammit is anticipated to contribute to the pedagogical strategies focused on language learning through augmented reality (AR) technology. With her proficiency in second language acquisition, computer-assisted language learning (CALL), and educational technology, she is well-equipped to provide both pedagogical and practical suggestions to language teachers involved in the project. 

Specifically, Dr. Żammit will take charge of crafting an exemplary Maltese story within the framework of the CARS project. As a Maltese language pedagogy expert, she will lead efforts to deliver essential pedagogical suggestions for teachers, concentrating particularly on language learning aspects. These suggestions will encompass various strategies for integrating AR technology into language learning classrooms, crafting engaging language learning activities utilising AR, and providing ongoing support to teachers in effectively leveraging these tools to enhance students' language acquisition and proficiency. 

Dr. Żammit's profound understanding of Maltese pedagogy and teaching Maltese as a foreign language will be instrumental in guiding teachers through the process of incorporating AR storytelling techniques into their language teaching practices, thereby enriching the learning experiences of both teachers and students alike.

About David

David, as part of the research team, fulfills the role of Research Support Officer, contributing his knowledge across various aspects of the CARS Project. With a B.Sc (Hons) in Technical Design and Technology, and a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, he's currently broadening his skills through an M.Sc in Integrated Product Development. This program, grounded in the fundamental pillars of Product and Process Engineering, as well as Business, strengthens his knowledge in product development and innovation. David utilises his multidisciplinary skillset to create engaging visuals and interfaces, thereby enhancing the clarity and impact of the project’s research findings and communications.

Heather McNamara

Research Support Officer II - UM

Sue Mifsud Midolo

St. Catherine's

Brian Gauci

St. Catherine's

Latimer Ebejer

St. Catherine's

Antoine Muscat

St. Catherine's

Nicholas Galea

St. Catherine's

Spain

Laura Alonso Martínez

Researcher - UBU

Vanesa Delgado Benito

Researcher - UBU

Sonia Rodrigues Cano

Researcher - UBU

About Laura

Assistant Professor in the Nursing Department of the Health Sciences at the University of Burgos. Holds a Ph.D. from the University of Burgos, with degrees in Nursing and Psychology from the University of Burgos and the National University of Distance Education (UNED), respectively. Completed a Master's in Secondary Education, Vocational Training, and Language Teaching at the University of Burgos. Additionally, holds a Master's in Health Care from the Complutense University of Madrid and an MSc in Psychology from Northumbria University (UK). Currently pursuing expertise in School Nursing at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR).

Experience includes nursing in socio-healthcare settings with children and the elderly, as well as teaching in secondary education, vocacional training and at the University. Research focuses on health education, sexual education, global health, school nursing, and implementing active methodologies in secondary and higher education.

About Vanesa

I am a Senior Lecturer in the Area of Didactics and School Organisation to the Department of Education Sciences of the Faculty of Education at the University of Burgos. 

I graduated in Teaching, specialising in Early Childhood Education, Degree in Pedagogy and Doctorate in Educational Sciences from the University of Burgos with International PhD mention and Extraordinary Doctorate Award in 2013.

My main areas of expertise include initial teacher training, the pedagogical use of Educational Technology and the application of emerging technologies in inclusive education.

As a partner and researcher in the CARS project, I hope to contribute my knowledge of educational technology and inclusion to the proper development of the project's objectives.

Marta Arroyo Balbas

Researcher - UBU

Gregorio Casado

Colegio Aurelio Gomez Escolar

Carmen Pena

Colegio Aurelio Gomez Escolar

About Gregorio

Secondary school teacher since 1994, specialising in science and technology. Member of the international project team since 2014 and project coordinator and designer:

2014-1-ES01-KA201-004362

2016- 1- ES01- KA201-024948

2018-1-ES01-KA201-049936

2017-1-ES01-KA201-038049

2017-1-ES01-KA219-037967

2019-1-ES01-KA201-064250

2020-1-ES01-KA201-082878

2021-1-ES01-KA122-SCH-000014900

2021-1-ES01-KA220-SCH-000024569

2022-1-ES01-KA122-SCH-000074752

In the CARS project I play the role of project coordinator in my school.

Cyprus

Andri Ioannou

Team Leader - CYENS

Eirini Christou

Researcher - CYENS

Antigoni Parmaxi

Researcher - CYENS

About Andri

Dr. Andri Ioannou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology (Limassol- Cyprus). She holds a Ph.D in Educational Technology from the University of Connecticut (USA) and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Cyprus. Her research work, via the Cyprus Interaction Lab and EdMedia-CYENS contributes to key areas of educational technology, including the design and evaluation of technology-enhanced learning environments, the use of technology to support skills within a 21st century framework, technology integration in all levels of education, digital transformation/digital capacity, and assessment & evaluation.

About Eirini

Eirini Christou is a postgraduate research associate affiliated with the Cyprus Interaction Lab (CIL) of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) since 2017. She is also affiliated with the EDMedia group of the CYENS Center of Excellence which cooperates closely with the Cyprus Interaction Lab. Eirini holds a BA in Primary Education from the University of Cyprus and an MA from the Department of Communication and Internet Studies of Cyprus University of Technology. With a rich background in project management and research, Eirini has actively contributed to numerous national and European (Erasmus+ KA220; Horizon 2020) funded projects. Her expertise spans diverse domains, including technology and education, human-computer interaction, immersive technologies, STEM, language learning, and gender equality.

About Antigoni

Dr Antigoni Parmaxi (female) is the Coordinator of the Learning Development Network (LDN) of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT). She is also a Tenured Teaching Personnel (Greek Language) at the Language Centre of CUT, co-director of the Cyprus Interaction Lab and researcher at CYENS (The Interactive Media and Edutainment -EdMedia). She holds a BA in Classical Studies from the University of Cyprus, an MA in Pedagogical Sciences from the same University and a PhD from CUT. Dr Parmaxi offers courses in academic language learning, Greek as a second language, second language instructional technology and emerging technologies in language learning. Dr. Parmaxi has an h-index of 14, co-authored more than 40 research publications, and participated in 9 research projects (> 2 M), 3 of which as Principal Investigator. Her research interests include constructionist learning via emerging technologies, particularly augmented reality (AR), and learning design with emerging technologies for equality and social inclusion. In the CARS project, Dr. Parmaxi contributes her expertise to support the design of AR-mediated resources, reflecting her commitment to innovative education practices.

Stella Timotheu

DIM-AN

Klaire Kouppas

DIM-AN

Dimitris Kafouris

DIM-AN

About Stella

Stella Timotheou (female) is a teacher at the Agia Napa – Antonis Tsokkos Primary School (DIM_AN) in Cyprus. She has been a teacher since 2000 and she has always been interested in educational technology and its integration in teaching and learning. In the last decade she has been focused on teaching STEAM subjects. She holds a PhD in STEAM and Maker Education (Educational Technology) from Cyprus University of Technology and an MA in New Learning and Communication Technologies from the same university. She also holds a BA from the Department of Education of the University of Cyprus. She has participated in several conferences and seminars on pedagogical issues. Her research interests focus on issues such as technology integration in the teaching of various courses, the design and assessment of learning environments through the integration of educational technology, and the integration of STEAM and Maker Education to enhance learning (content knowledge, attitudes, and skills). CARS project is a challenge for Stella on how to integrate AR in language teaching and learning to contribute to students΄ skills development.  

About Klaire

Claire Kouppas (female) is a Deputy Head in Public Primary Schools and an English Teacher with 31 years of experience in the field. She has been a Deputy Head in Public Primary Schools for the last 13 years. She is currently working in Ayia Napa Primary School (DIM-AN). She holds a B.Ed and an MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. She served during the years 2004 - 2014 as an ELT coordinator , a curriculum developer as well as a materials' developer at the Pedagogical Institute and the Ministry of Education and Culture in Cyprus.