eTwinning

The Community for Schools in

Europe

Why Join?

Session One

1. eTwinning – what’s it all about

2. Introduction to the portal

3. Hands on activity and registration

4. Liaise with the partner schools in Poland – live link

5. Homework Tasks in preparation for next session

What is eTwinning?

o eTwinning is a free and secure online network where teachers from 37 European countries can find partners, discuss projects and enable pupils collaboration across any subject area.

o eTwinning offers free resources, professional development, quality labels and awards.

o eTwinning can be the first step towards Erasmus+ funding and the International School Award.

eTwinning

What is the Impact?

Results of a Study made by Cambridge

Education in 2003

Impact for Pupils

• A greater understanding and interest in the lives and cultures of others including fellow classmates from different countries

• Improved academic achievement, literacy skills and communication

• Opportunity to expand language skills

• Learning new ICT skills

• Development of lifelong skills – team work, independent learning skills, problem solving

Our Experience of eTwinning

for our students

• For our pupils, there was an opportunity to increase their cultural awareness and their own sense of identity

• Learning for a purpose

• Writing for a specific audience

• Enhancing ICT skills by using new tools to enhance communication

• Making new friends

• Our projects include an A Level Chemistry collaboration and SEN projects to enhance literacy and self esteem.

Impact for teachers

• Professional profile is enhanced through the provision of Continuous Professional Development and recognition from British Council

• Professional skills are enriched through having an improved repertoire of teaching ideas to enhance the curriculum for teachers.

Our Experience as Teachers

We are part of an effective online

community with student learning at its core

Our long term partnership with Finland –

Pasi

Our Five Year Partnership with Finland

It all started with

a Bear - we will

let Otso speak

for himself

Impact on the School Community

• Recognition of your school for offering good practice in international work.

• Lead the way in international work in your locality

• Challenge local perceptions of other nationalities and enhance community cohesion.

• Open up new opportunities for your school and the wider communities.

Southwater Infant Academy

The Primary Model

Southwater Infant Academy is situated in rural West Sussex

with 270 pupils and 14 teaching staff. Southwater was rated

Outstanding by OFSTED.

‘ When we started we didn’t know just how significant eTwinning was going to be in our development as a school’

Sue Winn Headteacher

The Lead Teacher and the

eTwinning Team

• Total commitment of Head Teacher essential.

• Inclusive approach to international work.

• Appointment of a lead teacher to support the teaching staff.

• All staff registered on the eTwinning Portal.

• EVERY teacher in the school has one ‘performance management’ target to engage pupils in an international project.

An Example Project

‘An Exploration of Playground

Games’

Partnership school in Northern Italy– Taking a PE theme – integrating practical skills with team

work and recording.

– An exchange of playground games with a visual emphasis

– Pupils decided on the skills they wanted to share.

– Invented playground games without specific equipment

– Use of videos, digital images, presentation software.

Impact and Benefits

for Pupils

‘eTwinning has given us a different tool to bring learning to life for our pupils’ (class teachers)

– Pupils in both classes shared their work informally with other children in the playground.

– Creative use of ICT to exchange ideas and images

– Presenting information clearly

– Absorbing cultural similarities and differences

– Opportunities for pupils to showcase project work.

Impact and Benefits for Staff

• School Governors were persuaded to increase the school’s computer hardware

• eTwinning promoted the culture of sharing ideas, expertise and concerns.

• Positive impact on gaining promotion for teachers

• Leading the way with other schools in the locality.

• Link to all that the British Council has to offer.

How do I get Started?

1. Register via www.etwinning.net – it only takes a few minutes

2. Search for partner teachers to work with – including teachers in the UK

3. Once you have a partner discuss your project idea and get started

4. Once your project is approved you gain access to the secure TwinSpace where pupils can upload their project work and work collaboratively as a team with their peers.

Public Pages: project ideas and resources

Desktop: personal profile, partner-finding

tool, project registration

Twinspace: Your project’s

own virtual classroom with

communication tools and a

place to share your work

Portal and Registration

Find a partner

Stages of Partnership Creation

1. Find another eTwinner

2. Invite them to be part of your contact

group

3. Use the communication tools to start

project discussions

4. Submit your project proposal

Partner Finding

Your Project TwinSpace

Connecting Classrooms

Shared Values

Education for Sustainable Development

Peace Education

Gender Education

Citizenship

World Studies

Multicultural Celebration

Breaking down Stereotypes

Human Rights

Global Citizenship for All

Homework Task 1

Find a teacher in Berlin who teaches Biology in German and Italian.

How many registered projects involve this teacher?

Is this teacher available for an eTwinning project?

Task 2

How many primary/secondary schools in your region are registered for eTwinning.

Task 3

Find a teacher/school interested in a project in a similar area to you. Make a note of their name and school.

Task 4

Complete registration process

Evaluation

http://goo.gl/5glhmM