An Alternative Guide For eTwinners

Introduction

Are you involved yet in eTwinning, one of the most dynamic
and successful initiatives for inter-school activity in Europe
today?

Whether your answer to that question is yes or no, this handbook is for you. In it you will learn something about the unique structure of eTwinning and its origins and progress, you will learn about the possibilities it offers, you will get instructions on how to approach an eTwinning project from the point of view of the curriculum and learn from other teachers involved.

Perhaps you already know that eTwinning is an initiative of the European Commission to encourage all schools in Europe to form a collaborative partnership using many forms of communication technology. However, there is
much more to it than this.

eTwinning is also about teaching, experimenting with new methods of teaching,new technologies and new ways of performing traditional tasks. One of the biggest barriers to teachers undertaking new projects, particularly those involving
technology, is the challenge of how to incorporate them into their everyday teaching.

In addition, the experience of teachers who have undertaken eTwinning projects is that it can be easily adapted to whatever topic or subject you are teaching.

eTwinning is now a major force in European education because it is easy. More and more teachers are starting on the road of European project work within eTwinning. The process is simple: you sign up for involvement on the European Portal at www.etwinning.net. There you find a partner, develop a project idea or use a ready-made project kit and start working immediately. From there, you can
then use the collaborative platform offered for free by the Portal (the TwinSpace) to conduct your work. You may also get the opportunity to attend the annual eTwinning Conference or a Professional Development Workshop with other European teachers. You can enter your project for the annual eTwinning Prize and also enter your work for consideration for a Quality Label, which recognises that
your work is of the highest professional level. Each month you will also receive a newsletter keeping you up to date on the happenings of the eTwinning community.