eTwinning 2.0 - from projects to community

Anne Gilleran

Pedagogical Manager eTwinning Central Support Service

Professional Development WorkshopVillasimius – Sardinia May 2010

Informal collaboration

Comenius Partnerships

Peer learning

Sharing of resources and ideas

Communitybuilding

eTwinning ProjectseTwinning has

evolved in 5 years

Time foreTwinning 2.0

Critical Mass

Communications and networking beyond Projects

Activities outside the Portal

Sharing and exchanging

eTwinning 2.0

eTwinning 2.0

The heart of eTwinning is the platform:

www.etwinning.net

eTwinning Portal 2007

From this 2007

eTwinning Platform – 3 layers

3. The TwinSpacePrivate project workspaceWhere project partners and pupils collaborate onlineWhere project work is/can be published and shared onlineTwinBlog Where project partners share their experience

2. The Desktop

Search tools and profilesWhere teachers get in touch and register an eTwinning projectAlso a tool for communication about events

1. The Public Portal

Public Information for allWhere teachers register for eTwinningProject ideas and kits

Inspiration - Kits

eTwinning 2.0 eTwinning Desktop

From this 2005-2007

eTwinning 2.0 To this 2008-2009

To this in September 2010

eTwinning 2.0 Twinspace change

From this2005 -2008

eTwinning 2.0 To this 2008-2010

The evolution of eTwinning 2.0 (2010)

Find each other and get in touch

Set up & run projectswith their pupils

Are engaged in informal learning

Share practice and ideas

eTwinning has become a social network

The community for schools in Europe where teachers:

In 23 languages…

Informal exchange & reflection

eTwinning has also become…….

eTwinning Learning Events

eTwinning Groups

European Professional Development Workshops

Bi- Lateral workshopsA 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

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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

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

eTwinning Groups

Linked to profile used to access desktop.

Learning Events

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

Educational Considerations in relation to eTwinning 2.0

eTwinning: Shifting Worlds

Formal

Closed

Top down

Teaching

Consumption

Curriculum driven

Informal

Open

Bottom up

Learning

Creation

Life as curriculum

European key competencies

21 Century Literacy

Literacies?

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

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

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Rationale for eTwinning

Based on the twin concepts of cooperation and collaboration

SIMPLE approach• Share• Innovate• Motivate• Participate• Learn• Exchange

94,000 users

1000000 messages

20,000+ users/day

2,35000 pupils

41,000 projects

eTwinning (May 2010) – in figures

Why are you here?

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

You have helped to do all this!

You are the people who help to make eTwinning what it is.

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

I am 21st Century Learner !

We are 21st Century Learners!

Thank you for your attention!

eTwinning portal:www.etwinning.net

Contacts:Anne.Gilleran@eun.org