1. ETWINNING- A SUCCESSFUL
EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM
Author
Cornelia Melcu, Şcoala Gimnazială Nr. 9 ,,Nicolae Orghidan” Braşov
corneliamelcu@yahoo.com
Abstract
The article is a brief presentation of eTwinning Portal. eTwinning is a free
educational platform for school staff ( teachers, librarians, head teachers, etc.).
eTwinning action is a part of Comenius, the EU programmes for schools,
programme included in the Lifelong Learning Programme. It promotes school
collaboration through the use of Information and Communication Technologies by
providing tools, services and support for schools.
Key Words
Educational programme, ICT, school project, collaboration, etwinning
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2. ETWINNING- A SUCCESSFUL
EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM
Abstract
The article is a brief presentation of eTwinning Portal. eTwinning is a free
educational platform for school staff ( teachers, librarians, head teachers, etc.).
eTwinning action is a part of Comenius, the EU programmes for schools,
programme included in the Lifelong Learning Programme. It promotes school
collaboration through the use of Information and Communication Technologies by
providing tools, services and support for schools.
Key Words
Educational programme, ICT, school project, collaboration, etwinning
Introduction
Etwinning is a free educational platform for school staff ( teachers, librarians,
head teachers, etc.). eTwinning action is a part of Comenius, the EU programmes
for schools, programme included in the Lifelong Learning Programme. The Portal
(www.etwinning.net) was launched in 2005 and now it is considered the biggest
community for schools in Europe. It promotes school collaboration through the use
of Information and Communication Technologies by providing tools, services and
support for schools. The eTwinning Platform now has the involvement of 204 074
teachers, 28 181 projects, 105 941 schools*((figures based on statistics from the
end of May 2013). European schoolnet has been granted the role of Central
Support Service (CSS) at European level. eTwinning is also supported by a
network of National Support Services (NSS).The Portal provides online tools for
teachers to find partners, set up projects, share ideas, exchange best practice,
start working and learning together. Browsing through the Portal the members will
find running projects, project kits, teacher rooms, groups, news about learning
online events which take place in the learning laboratories.
eTwinning is focused on:
• Students because they are keen and interested in project based work. It
motivates them and brings school close to reality. The students would
learn to answer questions or solve real problems and would develop their
21st
Century skills. Project Based Learning is synonymous with learning in
depth. A well-designed project provokes students to encounter (and
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3. struggle with) the central concepts and principles of a discipline. It depends
of teacher’s creativity and experience to build interesting project activities
in order to involve students and make them to have fun also.
• Teachers because they are the ones who should facilitate and help
students on their way to future. Etwinning is a programme which helps
integrating different pedagogical approaches and contents (personally and
culturally dependent) in the daily school lessons. The teachers should be
informed about eTwinning benefits, personal and professional
development opportunities and the recognition of the valuable activities.
• School managers (Head teachers, Principals, Inspectors) because they
should support their staff and students work and promote the good practice
examples.
• Last but not least: the community (parents, families, neighbors, local
authorities) because I totally agree that school is a part of community and
the members of community should be involved in school’s projects.
eTwinning and the 21st century skills
Etwinning programme is the best opportunity for developing students and
teachers 21st
century skills. They improve their ways of thinking providing creativity,
critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making and learning skills. They
develop their ways of working through communication and collaboration. They use
new tools for working in the ICT and information literacy field.They improve their
skills for living in the world (citizenship, life and career skills, personal and social
responsibility).
Etwinning is the best free and safe platform for teachers to connect, develop
collaborative projects and share professional ideas in Europe.
I have been happily using eTwinning platform since 2010. I have successfully
participated in many learning events which helped me to improve my teaching
skills. I am a member of several eTwinning Teacher Rooms and I am a sub-group
moderator in three eTwinning Groups. Through me and my colleagues labour CSS
has awarded me the title of European eTwinning Ambassador.
The effort of my students has been rewarded by the European Schoolnet when
our project Friends Fur-Ever won the 4-11 Age Category eTwinning competition
this year.
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4. Romanian team project’s logo
The main benefit from the student’s involvement in this project has been their skills
gained in the fields of communication, collaboration and technology. I will further
try to improve their skills by utilizing in my classes the prize from the project, the
7.0 tablets to the maximum extent: Geography, climate, orientation, fauna, flora,
etc. via the realistic global image network (google earth, google maps, etc.)
Conclusions
Joining eTwinning each school would add European and global value and
would motivate students and staff for learning and collaboration. Etwinning is the
best way to integrate teaching to the consciousness of the 21st
century challenges.
REFERENCES
ISTRATE, O. et alii (2013) Rolul proiectelor educationale realizate prin parteneriate
scolare internationale. Raport preliminar eTwinning RO12. Bucuresti, TEHNE- Centrul
pentru Inovare în Educatie.
http://www.etwinning.net/ro/pub/index.htm
http://iteach.ro/
http://new-twinspace.etwinning.net/web/p68520/home
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