Despina Plota is a graduate of the Department of Mathematics of the School of Science of the University of Patras (Statistics and Οperational Research sector). She is a PhD candidate at the Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education of Patras University. The topic of her dissertation is “Planning, realization and evaluation of a flipped classroom lesson in a university education department”. She holds two Master’s degrees: a) Master’s Degree from the Hellenic Open University entitled: “Adult Education”, the title of the dissertation being “Application of the flipped classroom model in Tertiary Education: Planning, realization and evaluation of a flipped classroom lesson in a university education department””and b) Master’s Degree in the Cross-curricular Programme of Postgraduate Studies “Mathematics of Computers and Decisions” of the University of Patras (Department of Mathematics and Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science). She holds a certificate from the Specialization Programme in Counselling and Orientation (PESYP) of the Higher Education School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPAITE). She holds a certificate and a teaching licence for the English language (Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs) as well as the certificates of Proficiency in English – (University of Michigan 1998 and University of Cambridge 1998/C).
She has certification of knowledge of the Braille System of Writing and Reading for the Blind, (KEAT- Kallithea – Athens – 2009), a certificate of attendance of an annual training seminar in Special Education, duration 610 hours organized by the Department of Early Childhood Education and Educational Planning and the Laboratory of Pedagogical and Psychology Research and their Applications of the University of the Aegean, as well as a certificate of attendance of a course on the Greek Sign Language 1st and 2nd level, duration 240 hours (School of Teaching the Greek Sign Language – Th. Delis).
Regarding ICT she has a) a certificate of successful attendance of the 15th Seminar of Vocational Training in computer science organized by the Patras Annex of the Greek Mathematical Society, duration 420 hours from October 2nd 2001 to May 24th 2002 with subjects Introduction to Computer Science, Text processing – Word 2000, Excel 2000, Presentations (PowerPoint 2000), Internet- e-mail, Visual basic 6.0 for Windows, Access 2000 – SQL & Applications Access 2000 – Visual Basic 6.0, C+++, Matlab (maths package) (420 hours) b) Certificate ECDL Core (serial number EL 1000057248DP), c) Certificate of training in skills and knowledge in ICT, levels A and B1, d) Certificate of attendance of seminar with subject: “Utilization of Techniques of Asynchronous and Distance Teaching via the Electronic Learning Environment Moodle” (Joint organization by the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Western Greece, the Centre for Computer Science and New Technologies of Achaia and School Advisor Theodoros Mpirmpas Educational Sector 19 (150 hours).
She has written chapter 3 “General characteristics of schools” and chapter 9 “Parents’ Attitude”, in the research study “Violence in the School Environment. A trajectory in the schools of the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Western Greece”, Patras, Peloponnisos Publications, p.52-74. (ISBN 978-960-88162-1-3). She has published several articles in prestigious journals and has participated as a speaker in several conventions.
She has attended a lot of programmes of professional development and has participated in several innovative teaching practices, such as cross-curricular actions, projects, ICT use, collaborative actions etc. as well as in innovative creative actions such as environmental, cultural programmes, health education programmes, European programmes, creation of after-school clubs, actions between schools, schools and social groups etc. on the school premises. She has also participated and organized on-site research at the school level.