An examination of some of the pedagogical elements to consider within an eTwinning project

1. eTwinning:
Pedagogical Considerations
Anne Gilleran – pedagogical manager
eTwinning Central Support Service
eTwinning Plus – Kiev April 2013

2. Today…
Review the messages of our last
meeting
Examine the pedagogical ideas behind
eTwinning
Look at the way in which some projects
are structured
Hear from 2 practitioners, Lukasz from
Poland and Michael from Scotland.

3. Last meeting..
3 Key messages

4. Learning is taking place in ….
A technologically enabled world
A world driven by media.

5. Demands of Modern Youth Culture
Consumers Collaborators Creators
Leaders of tomorrow
What capabilities do they require as learners?

6. The teaching context summarised
The children we teach are changing
The core values of education are going through a
radical change as the knowledge society impacts on
institutions and ways of instruction that date mainly to
the 19th Century.
We (as teachers) are mostly still seen as conservative in
our methods and our views about learning.

8. European key
competencies

9. Today……
Examine the pedagogical thinking
behind eTwinning

10. 3 Assumptions
The teacher is autonomous in deciding
the focus of eTwinning work
The teacher is familiar with 2
pedagogical concepts
– Inquiry based learning
– Project based learning
Teacher does not work alone

11. Inquiry-based instruction is……..
a pupil-centered and teacher-guided
instructional approach that engages pupils in
investigating real world questions that they
choose within a broad thematic framework.
pupils acquire and analyse information,
develop and support propositions, provide
solutions, and design products that
demonstrate their thinking and make their
learning visible

12. Project based learning
a dynamic approach to teaching in
which pupils explore real-world problems
and challenges.
With this type of active and engaged
learning, pupils are inspired to obtain a
deeper knowledge of the subjects they're
studying

13. 3 minutes….discussion
What are the benefits to these
approaches for the pupil?

14. Benefits of this approach
Develops problem-solving, critical thinking skills
in relation to subject content
Promotes the transfer of concepts to new
problem questions
Teaches pupils how to learn and builds self-
directed learning skills
Develops pupil ownership of their inquiry and
enhances pupil interest in the subject matter

15. 10 steps for success in PBL…..
1. Start with a guided exploration of a topic as a whole class.
2. Proceed to put pupils into small groups to discuss an open-ended,
debatable, contended issue.
3. Encourage pupils to ask personally relevant and socially significant
questions.
4. Work in groups to achieve diversity of views.
5. Plan well, set goals, define outcomes.
6. Find or create information...look for patterns.
7. Instruction serves as a guide to help pupils meet their goals.
8. Create a tangible artifact that addresses the issue, answers questions,
and makes learning visible and accountable.
9. Arrive at a conclusion...take a stand...take action.
10. Document, justify, and share conclusion with larger audience.

16. eTwinning project concept…
Takes all this into account
+
Adds the concept of collaboration

17. Exploring project kits
http://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/collaborate/kits.htm

22. Talking with
Lukasz and Michael…..

23. Questions to ask before starting…..
What kind of partner school should it be?
· What age should the pupils in the partner class have?
· Project language?
· Subjects the project should be related to
· Concrete ideas and suggestions for the project
· Tools I’d like to use
· What is of special importance for an eTwinning
partnership?

24. Tomorrow
We will explore the project messages in
the forum
See if they are matching some of the
conditions mentioned today
Try to match teachers to projects.

25. Thank you for your attention!
eTwinning portal:
www.etwinning.net
Contacts:
Anne.Gilleran@eun.org