Group reports We had three groups of teachers working on: Communication tools Links to Comenius Reaching out to new teachers

We had three groups of teachers working on:

Communication tools

Links to Comenius

Reaching out to new teachers

Group 1: Communication tools Need to reach out to teacher trainers – should inform universities and link it to ERASMUS Need for a student teacher eTwinning prize Link eTwinning labels to homepages of schools, inclusion on school website eTwinning is EASIER than Comenius

Need to reach out to teacher trainers – should inform universities and link it to ERASMUS

Need for a student teacher eTwinning prize

Link eTwinning labels to homepages of schools, inclusion on school website

eTwinning is EASIER than Comenius

Group 1: Communication tools eTwinning doesn’t have to be extra but can be done IN the curriculum Ideas should be simple; keep it small and simple in the beginning Flyers aren’t useful. Books are expensive. How about a box including a smaller book + digital content and even tools

eTwinning doesn’t have to be extra but can be done IN the curriculum

Ideas should be simple; keep it small and simple in the beginning

Flyers aren’t useful. Books are expensive.

How about a box including a smaller book + digital content and even tools

Group 2: Comenius IT, PL, SK, LV are not linked to Comenius. In UK it is. Benefits of linking: Comenius helps eTwinners to physically meet + so it can enhance eTwinning projects. eTwinning gives Comenius a longer lifespan, and rejected COmenius applicants could do eTwinning and re-apply next year

IT, PL, SK, LV are not linked to Comenius. In UK it is.

Benefits of linking: Comenius helps eTwinners to physically meet + so it can enhance eTwinning projects.

eTwinning gives Comenius a longer lifespan, and rejected COmenius applicants could do eTwinning and re-apply next year

Group 2: Comenius Disadvantages: more work for teachers joining Comenius How to help the two programmes know more about each other: stronger link to Comenius on eTwinning website; should have an eTwinning-Comenius joint teacher ambassador; teachers want easier access to others to get support and advice

Disadvantages: more work for teachers joining Comenius

How to help the two programmes know more about each other: stronger link to Comenius on eTwinning website;

should have an eTwinning-Comenius joint teacher ambassador;

teachers want easier access to others to get support and advice

Group 3 new teachers Our inspiration to join eTwinning: opportunity to work on theme-based projects, looked easy to set up; use ICT in a meaningful way, share experiences of life and culture, breakdown barriers and stereotypes, making friends internationally; language learning in a real context, motivation for learners How to encourage teachers not yet involved to join projects? Demonstrate how easy to join – stress advantages – show success (even locally)

Our inspiration to join eTwinning:

opportunity to work on theme-based projects, looked easy to set up; use ICT in a meaningful way, share experiences of life and culture, breakdown barriers and stereotypes, making friends internationally; language learning in a real context, motivation for learners

How to encourage teachers not yet involved to join projects?

Demonstrate how easy to join – stress advantages – show success (even locally)

Group 3 new teachers School visits by NSS; teachers already involved sharing experience in local press, celebrate success Initial teacher training: incorporate etwinning in ICT training; reach out to local authorities and departments of education show it as an authentic way to use ICT in the classroom

School visits by NSS; teachers already involved sharing experience in local press, celebrate success

Initial teacher training: incorporate etwinning in ICT training;

reach out to local authorities and departments of education show it as an authentic way to use ICT in the classroom

Group 3 new teachers Obstacles: eTwinning not known, time + equipment constraints, lack of mgmt support, too many new initiatives ongoing at schools, crowded curriculum, MORE recognition Tools to support existing eTwinners to encourage others: local support service, need to have space for learners to share experiences – let the children persuade the adults Specific organisations: different per country, local education authorities, get eTwinning integrated into the curriculum! Becta in the UK and similar should be made more aware and brought on board. Big ICT companies like Microsoft and Intel should also play a role.

Obstacles:

eTwinning not known, time + equipment constraints, lack of mgmt support, too many new initiatives ongoing at schools, crowded curriculum, MORE recognition

Tools to support existing eTwinners to encourage others: local support service, need to have space for learners to share experiences – let the children persuade the adults

Specific organisations: different per country, local education authorities, get eTwinning integrated into the curriculum! Becta in the UK and similar should be made more aware and brought on board. Big ICT companies like Microsoft and Intel should also play a role.