The document discusses the evolution of eTwinning from individual projects to a broader online community for teachers across Europe. Key points include: - eTwinning has grown from an online platform supporting collaboration projects to a social network where teachers can connect, find partners, share resources and ideas, and participate in professional development. - The eTwinning portal and features have been updated over time to facilitate more community engagement and networking beyond individual projects. - eTwinning now provides formal and informal opportunities for continuing professional development, with over 21,000 teachers involved in formal CDP in 2009. - The goal is for eTwinning to support 21st century teaching skills and help integrate web technologies into school curricula and

1. eTwinning 2.0 - from projects to community Anne Gilleran Pedagogical Manager eTwinning Central Support Service Professional Development Workshop Villasimius – Sardinia May 2010

3. Informal collaboration Comenius Partnerships Peer learning Sharing of resources and ideas Community building eTwinning Projects eTwinning has evolved in 5 years Time for eTwinning 2.0 Critical Mass Communications and networking beyond Projects Activities outside the Portal Sharing and exchanging

4. eTwinning 2.0

5. eTwinning 2.0 The heart of eTwinning is the platform: www.etwinning.net

6. eTwinning Portal 2007 From this 2007

8. eTwinning Platform – 3 layers 3. The TwinSpace Private project workspace Where project partners and pupils collaborate online Where project work is/can be published and shared online TwinBlog Where project partners share their experience 2. The Desktop Search tools and profiles Where teachers get in touch and register an eTwinning project Also a tool for communication about events The Public Portal Public Information for all Where teachers register for eTwinning Project ideas and kits

9. Inspiration - Kits

10. eTwinning 2.0 eTwinning Desktop From this 2005-2007

11. eTwinning 2.0 To this 2008-2009

12. To this in September 2010

13. eTwinning 2.0 Twinspace change From this 2005 -2008

14. eTwinning 2.0 To this 2008-2010

15. The evolution of eTwinning 2.0 (2010)

16. eTwinning has become a social network Find each other and get in touch Set up & run projects with their pupils Are engaged in informal learning Share practice and ideas The community for schools in Europe where teachers: In 23 languages…

17. eTwinning has also become……. Informal exchange & reflection eTwinning Learning Events eTwinning Groups European Professional Development Workshops Bi- Lateral workshops A network providing opportunities for formal & informal Continuing Professional Development (CDP) 21,000 teachers were involved in the formal aspects of CDP through eTwinning in 2009

18. Possible features of an online community: people who interact socially while striving to satisfy their own needs ; shared purpose (an interest, need, information exchange, or service) that provides a reason for the community to exist; policies in the form of tacit assumptions , rituals, protocols, rules, and laws that guide people’s interactions; And computer systems that support and mediate social interactions and facilitate a sense of togetherness. Preece (2000) cited in Ala-Mutka (p.25, 2008) Online Learning Communities

19. Brian’s Conclusions eTwinning is now an online community of teachers. The community aspect is being reinforced through Learning Events and eTwinning Groups http://www.slideshare.net/holmebn/e-twinning-pdw-28-5-10

21. eTwinning Groups Linked to profile used to access desktop.

22. Learning Events Not linked to Desktop profile. Log in with an email address and separate password

23. Educational Considerations in relation to eTwinning 2.0

24. eTwinning: Shifting Worlds Formal Closed Top down Teaching Consumption Curriculum driven Informal Open Bottom up Learning Creation Life as curriculum

25. European key competencies

26. 21 Century Literacy

27. Literacies?

28. eTwinning helps: To address the challenges of bringing 21 Century skills into your school Utilises Web 2.0 technology to assist the educational process in a safe environment

29. What next: Challenges for the future Curriculum Teaching process Assessment Web 2.0 embedded in the curriculum Web 2.0 part of the assessment In - service training including Web 2.0 Three pillars of education

30. Rationale for eTwinning Based on the twin concepts of cooperation and collaboration SIMPLE approach S hare I nnovate M otivate P articipate L earn E xchange

31. 94,000 users 1000000 messages 20,000+ users/day 2,35000 pupils 41,000 projects eTwinning (May 2010) – in figures

32. Why are you here?

33. 5 objectives for 2010 Building the eTwinning community More pupil involvement in eTwinning Professional Development Involving new teachers and schools Strengthening the relationship between NSS/CSS

34. You have helped to do all this! You are the people who help to make eTwinning what it is.

35. In education today the roles of pupils and teachers are blurring. Final reflections - The 21 century challenges us all to grasp, understand and control the forces of technology. Technology is only as good as the use we make of it

36. I am 21 st Century Learner ! We are 21 st Century Learners!

37. Thank you for your attention! eTwinning portal: www.etwinning.net Contacts: [email_address]