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Dr.
Christian
Safran

teaching tech ...

About

  • Age: 45
  • Nationality: Austria

Professional Profile

I have already discovered my interest in ICT during my own time in school, when we took our first steps in programming and network technology - using Basic respectively Novell Netware at the time. The enthusiasm of my encouriging teachers has intensified my own interest in ICT, an the topic has been with me ever since.

From a professional point of view I got engaged in teaching ICT soon after. Starting with further education, then university lectures and finally working as a teacher I have been able to teach in several fields of ICT and share my experience in a wide array of settings. In all this variety of settings my motivation has been to help people understand the technology they are using and assist them in enhancing their own experience and knowledge of the subject. I greatly enjoy these little moments when you can literally see realization on student's face - a real eureka effect.

Moreover I enjoy the dynamics of my field, encouraging me to stay tuned on current developments. This effect is even more severe in education, as I firmly believe that teaching is learning twice (and even more often). In order to provide the best education possible a teacher has constantly improve and deepen his own understanding of his field - and also be able to acknowledge and embrace change.

Experience

26 Years of Experience!

A professional life focussed on technology and teaching since 1996.

HTL Weiz

Teacher

2009 - today
HTL Weiz is a secondary technical college - a type of school unique to Austria. In this highly specialised vocational school students are prepared for University as well as they are given a technical education making them highly sought-after by industry.
At HTL Weiz I hold courses in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
TU Graz

University Lecturer

2010 - 2020
At Graz University of Technology I gave lectures on Programming and Software Development for students of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Software Development.
TU Graz

University Assistant

2006 - 2010
Research in the field of Technology Enhanced Learning and lectures on Programming and Software Development.
TU Graz

Study Assistant

2000 - 2006
Assisting in lectures on Computer Technology, Human Computer Interaction and Internet and New Media.
BFI Graz

Trainer

1996 - 1999
Extra-occupational courses on ICT as well as training and examinations for ECDL (European Computer Driving License).

Achievements

Milestones ...

Some important events in my professional work and education.

LabVIEW Certifications

Certified LabVIEW Developer

2015, 2019
The CLD certificateion indicates the ability to design and develop functional programs while minimizing development time and ensuring maintainability through proper documentation and style.
Book

Social Media in Education

2010
This book gives a comprehensive overview and evaluation of possible application scenarios for Social Media in Higher Education. Based on these scenarios, exemplary tools have been developed and evaluated, and are presented in this context.

Available on Amazon
Outstanding Paper Award

E-Learn

2009
The paper "Higher Education M-Learning and E-Learning Scenarios for a Geospatial Wiki" was granted an Outstanding Paper Award at the World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, & Higher Education 2009 in Vancouver.
Book

Concept-Based Information Retrieval

2008
In this book a novel concept for the application of concept-based information retrieval in the context of knowledge transfer is proposed. This approach is based on the contextual and personalized search in digital libraries.

Available on Amazon
Graz University of Technology

Students Council

2002 - 2005
Head of the students council for Science.

Head of the students council for Telematics.

Education

What has brought me here ...

The steps of my own education.

Graz University of Technology

PhD in Computer Science

2006 - 2010
Research on Social Media in Higher Education.

Degree with honors.
Graz University of Technology

MSc. in Information and Computer Engineering (Telematics)

2003 - 2006
Specialization in IT Security and Human Computer Interaction.

Master thesis in concept-based information retrieval.

Degree with honors.
TU Graz

Bachelor in Information and Computer Engineering (Telematics)

1999 - 2003
At Graz University of Technology the curriculum Telematics is based on Computer Science as well as Electrical Engineering, thus enabling the students a firm understanding of mathematical as well as electronical basics of ICT.

Philosophy

My approach to teaching and education

I greatly in believe in the approach of teaching as support for the learners in their goal to achieve knowledge. In the years before the millenium teaching has more or less been focussed on content delivery, although even at that time the best teachers were those who did not only recite from books but who acccomplished to engage their students in their chosen field.

In the age of Information Technology this has become even more important. Technology changes fast these days and for students it has become necessary not only to have a well-founded understanding of their field of expertise but also to be able to find new information as the technology in this field advances.

Thus education provide for the skills to cope with the challenges of the students' future lives. The role of the teacher in this context is to arouse interest, provide a sound foundation in his field and most importantly teach the students how to keep their knowledge up to date and even expand it.

Dr. Christian Safran

teaching.
tech.
dedicatedly.