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Eleni Mangina
Eleni Mangina
Biography
- Research Interests:
Research
Research Interests
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Applied AI techniques, Intelligent Agents, Ubiquitous Computing
Research Projects
- Sponsor : Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Title : Agent - Based Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Agriculturalists
Start Date / End Date : 01-APR-03 / 30-JUN-03
- Sponsor : UCD Faculty of Science
Title : Start Up Grant
Start Date / End Date : 01-NOV-02 / 31-OCT-03
- Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD)
Title : Knowledge based system (KBS) for the aid in the development and mRNA transcription of bovine embyros
Start Date / End Date : 01-JAN-07 / 31-DEC-07
Teaching
Teaching Interests
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My philosophy of teaching stems from my love of learning through different approaches (face-to-face and e-learning. I consider that the invitation to knowledge plays an important role in the learning procedure, but would have no value without enhancing the critical thinking skills of the students (Gardner, 1989). A teacher must guide and mentor the students during their educational journey by exposing them to new thoughts and ideas, while inspiring them by new ways of thinking (Laurillard, 2002). Within the Teaching and Learning Policy of University College Dublin the mission statement includes:
"To serve Ireland and the wider world by achieving the highest international standards in the advancement of knowledge through research and scholarly publications and by the communication of that knowledge to successive generations through excellence in teaching." (September 2002)
Following this statement, and reflecting on my teaching, I find myself recognising how large of an impact I as an instructor and the delivered course can have on students (Fry, 1999). Education helps students to expand their intellectual horizons and critically examine ideas, values and goals. Additionally, understanding and communication of knowledge is required between the students (including different cultural backgrounds (Hofstede, 1986)) and the instructor. This will enable the students to be fully aware of the contribution that they may make to the society through the understanding and importance of sharing a common bond of new knowledge, while distinguishing their international identity. Within my lectures I alternate informational lectures with student-driven discussions and guided work in small groups (Abercrombie, 1969), which produces a collaborative learning situation in which students can comfortably share and discuss their ideas and software implementation experiences.
Knowledge transcends all cultural borders. My undergraduate courses include Data Structures and Algorithms implemented in JAVA and Logic programming implemented in PROLOG and Multi – Agent Systems and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. The latter took place at Software School of FUDAN University, in Shanghai (China), during a joint course with Department of Computer Science, UCD. These modules present students with the structure and the methods of programming using different languages, while they can practice on programming based on logic and develop their own intelligent autonomous software components, by utilising the technology of Intelligent Agents. During the courses, by software development, reading and debating current research articles the students are forced to address controversial topics and analyse their way of accomplishing various tasks and defend their coding. By analysing their peer's programming code they learn to detect possible problems and logical inferences in order to teach them to become better evaluators of their own work (Bostock, 2000). This not only means that they need to explain the logic programming but also to place the problem in context and clarify the sub - questions involved. Specifically, I assign early exercises and since the students have covered the required material and attended the required labs, at the end they are asked to mark their classmates' work (within assigned groups), which is of high importance as they can extend and improve their own problem solving skills and participate in the assignment evaluation process.
My approach to group work within the class environment is emphasised as well during the undergraduate course (COMP20100: e-Learning: Information Technology in Education) and the postgraduate courses I teach (Agent-Oriented Distributed Software Systems) for the HDip/MSc in Multimedia and Ubiquitous Computing and HDip/MSc in Software Engineering in UCD. The students form small groups assigned to a project, which includes both software development and research in a certain area. In addition to the teaching composition and the deliverable lectures, close readings (at times via group work with specific assignments) and general discussions, I introduce the students to important researchers in the area and important relevant texts. The use of directed group work gives the students the opportunity to interact with one another and gives them some control over the learning process. It also allows me as the lecturer to observe the students at group work and makes the class environment open for brainstorming. My overall goal is to introduce the students to the concept of this new programming paradigm, while enhancing their learning through their group work, research and evaluation and interaction with the rest of the groups in the class (Brown, 1988).
Within my teaching curriculum, I see myself in continual change. Just as students are challenged within their courses, I too look into new techniques and any questions that rise within the teaching style. During 2009-2010 I am the HDip in Computer Science course director, where I also teach the module in Knowledge Engineering.
I am currently supervising a research group on Intelligent Ubiquitous Computing in Education, which involves research in the latest technology of e-learning environments and teaching methods. Therefore, my teaching philosophy and my research interests are updated to satisfy the latest educational needs.
Recent Postgraduates
Current Postgraduate Students
- Olapeju Ayoola, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Thesis Supervisor
Modules Taught
- 201000 COMP30380 Computer Science: Knowledge Engineering
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