Brian Holmes - eTwinning

eTwinning in the eTwinning in the Lifelong Learning ProgrammeLifelong Learning Programme

Brian HolmesBrian HolmesChair of the eTwinning Steering CommitteeChair of the eTwinning Steering Committee

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eTwinning in the Lifelong Learning Programme

1. The Executive Agency and the eTwinning Steering Committee

2. eTwinning in the Lifelong Learning Programme

3. Partnerships in Comenius

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The Executive Agency

Directorates A & BPolicy and Programmes

European Commission Executive Agency

Policy Programme implementation

Centralised actions

• Policy documents• Programme definition• Priorities• Committees• Impact analysis• Management of

decentralised actions via National Agencies

• Management of centralised actions

• Calls, selection, contracts• Monitoring, acceptance,

payments• Clustering & dissemination• Results & feedback

• Centre for Programme management

• ~300 staff• Based in Brussels• Managed by EC officials

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School

SchoolSchool

School School

SchoolSchool

School School

SchoolSchool

School School

SchoolSchool

School

NSS NSS NSSNSS

EuropeanCommission

CSS

eTwinning Infrastructure

NationalSupportServices

CentralSupportService

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School

SchoolSchool

SchoolSchool

SchoolSchool

SchoolSchool

SchoolSchool

SchoolSchool

SchoolSchool

School

NSS NSS NSSNSS

EuropeanCommission

CSS

Service

Practice

eTwinning InfrastructureCommunity

EuropeanCommission

Central Support Service

ExecutiveAgency

eTwinningSteeringCommittee

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eTwinning in the Lifelong Learning Programme

• The Executive Agency and the eTwinning Steering Committee

• eTwinning in the Lifelong Learning Programme

• Partnerships in Comenius

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The Lifelong Learning Programme

Jean Monnet Programme

3 key activities – Jean Monnet Action; European Institutions; European associations

Transversal Programme

4 key activities – Policy Cooperation; Languages; ICT; Dissemination and exploitation of results (valorisation)

Grundtvig

Adult education

Leonardo da VinciErasmus

Higher education & advanced training

Comenius

School education

Jean Monnet Programme

3 key activities – Jean Monnet Action; European Institutions; European associations

Transversal Programme

4 key activities – Policy Cooperation; Languages; ICT; Dissemination and exploitation of results (valorisation)

Grundtvig

Adult education

Leonardo da Vinci

Vocational education and training

Erasmus

Higher education & advanced training

Comenius

School education

Comenius

School education

2007-2014 ~7 000 million €

13% 910 M€ 40% 25% 4%

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eTwinning - part of the Comenius Family (1/2)

Specific Objectives:

• To develop knowledge and understanding among young people and educational staff of the diversity of European cultures and languages and its value

• To help young people acquire the basic life-skills and competences necessary for their personal development, for future employment and for active European citizenship

Comenius

http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/comenius/

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Types of activity supported:

• Mobility of individuals• Development of partnerships • Multilateral projects• Network projects• Accompanying measures• eTwinning

2008 Total Budget ~149 Million €

Decentralised – National Agencies

Centralised – Executive Agency

eTwinning - part of the Comenius Family (2/2)

Comenius

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eTwinning in the Lifelong Learning Programme

• The Executive Agency and the eTwinning Steering Committee

• eTwinning in the Lifelong Learning Programme

• Partnerships in Comenius

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Pedagogical partnershipsin Comenius

Comenius school partnerships:• at least three partners from different countries• financial support from Comenius

eTwinning partnerships:• two or more partners• use of ICT for collaboration• pedagogical and technical support, tools, ideas,

training, visibility and recognition rather than funding individual projects

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0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

2005 2006 2007 2008

Visits per month Continuous growth

eTwinning so far - visits to the portal

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eTwinning so far - project registrations

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

14/0

1/2

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14/0

3/2

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14/0

5/2

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14/0

7/2

005

14/0

9/2

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14/1

1/2

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14/0

1/2

006

14/0

3/2

006

14/0

5/2

006

14/0

7/2

006

14/0

9/2

006

14/1

1/2

006

14/0

1/2

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3/2

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5/2

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9/2

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1/2

007

455average 2.8

1 534average 4.8

2 846average 8.4

average17.4

Reg.per month

-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-

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Partnerships - benefits for pupils

increased interest, knowledge and understanding of other cultures

greater awareness of their own cultural background

improved proficiency in foreign languages improved social skills improved ability to work in teams specialist knowledge in the subject area

covered by the project Increased motivation to learn, self-

confidence and capacity to work autonomously

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Partnerships - benefits for teachers

better knowledge and understanding of other school systems

skills in working in interdisciplinary teams improved proficiency in foreign languages opportunity to try new teaching methods shared learning experience with pupils better climate in the school (collaboration

with colleagues) and in the classroom (collaboration with pupils)

lots of opportunities for peer learning

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Success factors

Pupils involvement: The more intensively pupils are involved in project activities, the more positive the impacts of the school partnership

Team work: The more strongly schools encourage pupils and teachers to work in groups, the higher the increase in knowledge and skills

Motivation Enthusiasm to participate in project work by teachers, pupils and parents is a key to success

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Challenges ahead

• Community of practiceEncourage communication between teachers and across projects, to share lessons learnt and disseminate good practice

• Synergies within ComeniusExploit synergies between eTwinning and other Comenius actions

• Enhanced collaboration supportupdated tools for collaboration

• Increased stakeholder participationinvolving more national, regional and local school actors in eTwinning.

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Thank you!

http://www.etwinning.net/

Comenius and the Lifelong Learning Programme:

The Executive Agency:

‘I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think’ Socrates

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/index.htm

eTwinning portal:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/index_en.html

DG Education and Culture:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/index_en.html