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A guide to accessing the eTwinning platform

Laergas eTwinning Report 2018

How to access the eTwinning platform Conas teacht ar an ardán eTwinning

Contents

01 – 02 03 – 04 05 06 – 07

Quality Labels & eTwinning prizes

eTwinning, Erasmus+ & School Education Gateway

How eTwinning and the School Education Gateway complement your Erasmus+ funded project(s)

Ireland’s Digital Strategy for Schools

eTwinning Handbook

11 – 14

Guidelines for Project Planning

Contact

Cláraigh

Your journey to registering for eTwinning starts on www.etwinning.net

Tosóidh do thuras chun clárú le haghaidh eTwinning ar www.etwinning.net

≥ First, fill in the pre-registration form 1.

≥ Líon isteach an fhoirm réamh-chláraithe 1, le do thoil.

≥ You will then be sent a confirmation email to validate your email. Clicking the link in that email will confirm your pre-registration and you can move to the second part of the registration process, where you provide details about yourself and your school and create your very own eTwinning profile. ≥ At this point, you should be available for an eTwinning project. ≥ Once registered, you’ll have your own username and password which will allow you to access eTwinning Live and start looking for partner schools.

≥ Ansin seolfar ríomhphost deimhniúcháin chugat chun do ríomhphost a dheimhniú. Má chliceálann tú ar an nasc deimhneoidh tú do réamh-chlárú agus seolfar an 2ra cuid den bpróiseas clárúcháin chugat. Anseo tabharfaidh tú eolas fút féin agus do scoil agus cruthóidh tú do phróifíl eTwinning féin. ≥ Beidh an t-eolas seo le feiceáil ar do phróifíl. Ba chóir duit a bheith ar fáil i gcomhair tionscadal eTwinning. ≥ A luaithe agus atá tú cláraithe beidh d’ainm úsáideora agus do phasfhocal féin agat a thabharfaidh rochtain duit ar eTwinning Live 1. Anois is féidir leat tosú ar scoileanna comhpháirtíochta a lorg.

eTwinning Handbook

Aimsigh scoil chomhpháirtíochta

Logáil isteach le d’ainm úsáideora agus do phasfhocal agus cliceáil ar eTwinning Live 2 agus ansin ar Partner Forums 3.

Browse through the eTwinning and Erasmus+ messages left by teachers like you. If you have an idea for a project, post it in a forum and check back to see if anyone is interested. If you don’t have an idea yet, check other messages and reply to those that interest you. Once you have agreed to work with a teacher, click their profile, follow them and send a contact request. If a teacher is not in your contact list, you will not be able to register a project with them.

Brabhsáil tríd na teachtaireachtaí eTwinning agus Erasmus+ a bhreac múinteoirí cosúil leat féin. Má ritheann smaoineamh leat i gcomhair tionscadail fág ansin é agus gabh ar ais d’fhéachaint ar léirigh aon duine eile spéis ann. Murar léirigh, fág freagra le ceann de na mílte teachtaireachtaí sa chuid seo. A luaithe agus atá curtha in iúl agat go bhfuil tú sásta obair le múinteoir, cliceáil ar a phróifíl/próifíl, lean é/í agus seol iarratas ar theagmháil chuige/chuici. Más rud é nach bhfuil múinteoir i do liosta teagmhálacha, ní bheidh ar do chumas tionscadal a chlárú leis/léi.

Register your project to gain access to a secure online workplace called the Twinspace, where you can then invite your students to join and collaborate with their European peers.

Before Registration 1. Identify a partner school to work with 2. Make sure your partner is in your eTwinning Contacts List 3. Agree what type of project you are going to work on together 4. Plan your project with your partner(s); agree on: title, short description of the project, aims, tools to be used, work process, and expected results. You will need these when you register your project

Registration Steps to register your project: 1. Log in on www.etwinning.net 2. Go to eTwinning Live 3. Click on Projects 4. Click on Create Project

5. Follow the steps shown 6. Preview your project and then click on the Submit button Congratulations! Your project has been submitted!

After Registration 1. The other founder of the project will receive a notification and s/he must accept your partnership 2. The project is now pending while it is being reviewed by the National Support Services of the partner schools 3. Once the project has been approved, it will become active and the project founders will have access to the project TwinSpace

eTwinning Handbook

What Teachers Like The TwinSpace provides a variety of features.

Where can I find inspiration for projects?

≥ Sharing: Photos, texts, presentations, videos, multimedia productions made with various ICT tools

≥ Compatibility with external tools: Possibility of using different tools online and integrating them into the TwinSpace pages

≥ Kits on the eTwinning portal

≥ Communication: Forums, video conferencing, messaging or chat incorporated in the TwinSpace

≥ Security: Project-leader teachers deal with pupil and partner invitations, content visibility, pupil passwords, etc.

≥ Browse through the eTwinning Prize winners on the eTwinning portal and check their TwinSpaces

You can invite other teachers to join the project, you can register your students, and also parents, the school principal, external partners and even teachers from any country in the world.

External digital tools that can be embedded/uploaded into the TwinSpace:

≥ Publication: Creation of private or public pages for organising pupils’ work or publishing the project’s results

≥ eTwinning Groups — you can join them on eTwinning Live ≥ Follow the eTwinning Europe and Léargas YouTube Channels

Resource

Use

• Padlet

Use this virtual post-it wall as an ice-breaker where pupils introduce themselves and share their interests, hobbies, photos, etc.

• Google Docs

Teachers use this to collaboratively work on projects and design questionnaires; students conduct surveys and write collaboratively

• YouTube

Upload videos (choose the private option) and then share the links

• Vimeo

on TwinSpace

• Madmagz • Issuu • Calameo

Create online magazines and collaborative end products

• Biteable

Create short animations

• Wordl

Generate word clouds

• Survey Monkey

Create surveys

• Tricider

Vote online and make decisions

eTwinning Handbook

09 eTwinning Handbook

eTwinning Live eTwinning Live is a virtual wall that has several sections with different functions.

Section People

Functions ≥ See and edit your profile

Section Projects

≥ Find people and schools in eTwinning by typing in a keyword, name, place, etc. in the search box ≥ See your contacts list

≥ Create a new project ≥ Search projects by typing in a keyword, name, place, etc.

≥ Like and comment on the posts or activity of the people you know ≥ Create an event

≥ See your active projects: at the bottom of each project you will find different options for actions you can perform within your project, such as edit, add new partners, manage partners, download eTwinning certificate, close project, etc. ≥ Access eTwinning project kits

≥ Check your feed, including news from the National Support Service and the Central Support Service

Events

Functions

Groups

≥ See the groups you are a member of ≥ Search groups by typing in a keyword, name, place, etc. in the search box

≥ See your events ≥ Check the events calendar per day, week or month

≥ Create a new group

≥ Search events by typing a keyword, name, place, etc. in the search box

≥ View FAQ related to groups: how to join them, featured groups, how to run a group, etc. Partner Forums ≥ Look for partners for Erasmus+ mobility projects and remote eTwinning projects ≥ Find posts from teachers who are looking for project partners by typing in a keyword, name, place, etc. in the search box Professional Development

≥ Check the online professional development opportunities eTwinning offers at European level ≥ Join online learning events and seminars

eTwinning Handbook

Quality Labels & eTwinning Prizes The eTwinning Quality Label evaluates and recognises high quality projects based on criteria agreed by all participating countries. There are three types of awards for excellent projects

Award

Application Procedure

Awarded by

National Quality Label

Teachers in each country must apply for the NQL through the eTwinning Desktop. Once your application is accepted or rejected, Léargas will contact you. Léargas apply five specific minimum requirements in granting the Quality Label to a project; all five requirements must be met. There are also six further criteria applied. You can find out more here:

The NSS (Léargas)

(NQL)

www.etwinning.net/en/pub/projects/awards.htm

European Quality Label

Teachers don’t need to apply for it. To be proposed for an EQL, a project must meet two requirements:

(EQL)

≥ it must have been proposed for the European Quality Label by at least one NSS

Labels are awarded throughout the year, but to be considered for a national prize in the current year, there is an application deadline. Please contact Léargas for details. The Central Support Service (CSS)

≥ at least two partners in the project must have already received the National Quality Label eTwinning Prizes

Teachers can apply for an eTwinning prize for their project by clicking the relevant link on eTwinning Live. To be considered for a prize, a project must have been awarded the European Quality Label in any year of its lifespan. If the project is a winner, only those partners who have received a National Quality Label for the project will be eligible to participate in prize-related awards.

The Central Support Service (CSS)

eTwinning Handbook

eTwinning, Erasmus+ and the School Education Gateway eTwinning can easily be a first step towards Erasmus+ funded projects. The School Education Gateway portal works alongside eTwinning and your eTwinning login can be used to access the School Education website. Signing up to eTwinning allows you to search for suitable partners across Europe to carry out small projects before applying for Erasmus+ funding. You and your European partner(s) will be given a secure project space to collaborate online, grow and extend your partnership, before, during and after an Erasmus+ project.

eTwinning Handbook

How eTwinning and the School Education Gateway complement your Erasmus+ funded project(s) Erasmus+ Key Action • KA1

eTwinning ≥ Search for a partner and register a curriculum related project ≥ Discuss your curriculum related project with your partner ≥ Upskill with the free eTwinning professional development opportunities

School Education Gateway ≥ A course catalogue for finding and rating staff training opportunities ≥ A mobility opportunities database for finding and posting job shadowing, observation and teaching assignment opportunities

≥ Collaborate using the eTwinning secure online space and tools like webinar conferencing, chat rooms and blogs to support your project, meet with your partner, save and share your project work

eTwinning Handbook

Ireland’s Digital Strategy for Schools Straitéis Dhigiteach do Scoileanna na hÉireann The Digital Strategy for Schools is an opportunity for schools to see which ICT strategies and tools are useful in helping teachers and students introduce 21st Century learning to their classrooms. eTwinning covers each of the four themes of the Digital Strategy for Schools through the multitude of tools and professional development opportunities offered to educators.

Deis do Scoileanna is ea an Straitéis Dhigiteach a fheiceáil cad iad na straitéisí agus uirlisí TFC atá úsáideach ina gcuid scoileanna chun cabhrú lena múinteoirí agus lena scoláirí foghlaim an 21ú céad a thabhairt isteach ina seomraí ranga. Clúdaíonn eTwinning gach ceann de cheithre théama na Straitéise Digití do Scoileanna le cabhair an líon mhóir uirlisí agus deiseanna forbartha gairmí a thairgtear d’oiliúnóirí.

≥ Strengthen your school’s European Development Plan

• KA2

≥ Search for partner school with the Partner Forums ≥ Discuss your project ideas with your partner

≥ A strategic partnerships area for finding and posting partnership opportunities ≥ Upskill by using the Teacher Academy, a single point of access to professional development activities

Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 ENHANCING TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

eTwinning Handbook

1 Teaching, learning and assessment using ICT

Teagasc, foghlaim agus measúnú trí TFC a úsáid

While in the past century pen and paper were the main tools that facilitated teaching, learning and assessment in schools, nowadays these have gradually been replaced by tablets, iPads, computers, etc. eTwinning allows the use of a free and safe online platform where teachers and students can register very easily; once a project is registered, a dedicated and secure Twinspace allows teachers and students to access:

Más rud é gurbh iad peann agus páipéar na huirlisí ba thábhachtaí a chuireadh ar ár gcumas teagasc, foghlaim agus measúnú a dhéanamh i scoileanna an céad seo caite is iad táibléid, iPadanna, ríomhairí srl. atá tagtha ina n-ionad sa lá atá inniu ann. Is féidir le eTwinning an rud seo a leanas a éascú: úsáid ardán idirlín saor sábháilte ar féidir le múinteoirí agus scoláirí clárú air gan stró; a luaithe agus atá tionscadal cláraithe tugtar Twinspace (spás nasctha) dóibh. Anseo, is féidir leis an mbeirt mhúinteoirí agus leis na scoláirí úsáid a bhaint as:

≥ a project journal ≥ a chatroom ≥ a video conferencing tool ≥ discussion forums ≥ an online ‘media library’ where students can upload documents, videos, photos, and PowerPoint presentations ≥ an eTwinning App that can be used on mobile devices.

≥ iris tionscadail ≥ seomra cainte ≥ uirlis físchomhdhála ≥ fóraim phléite ≥ cuid d’ábhar inar féidir le scoláirí a gcuid doiciméad, físeáin, grianghraif agus láithreoireachtaí PowerPoint féin a uaslódáil ≥ is féidir Aip eTwinning a úsáid ar ghléasanna soghluaiste.

eTwinning Handbook

Teacher Professional Learning eTwinning offers: eTwinning featured groups, learning events, online seminars, online courses, Professional Development Workshops (PDWs); thematic conferences, annual conference, online events.

Leadership, research and policy According to the European Council conclusions on effective leadership in education (2013), good educational leaders develop a strategic vision for their institutions, act as role models for both learners and teachers, and are key to creating an effective and attractive environment which is conducive to learning. A dedicated eTwinning group has been set up for school principals and other school management staff in order to exchange and explore common issues such as digital skills, pupil motivation, the impact of migration, and what it means to be an “eTwinning school”. The group is open to all school leaders; eTwinning membership is required.

Foghlaim Gairmiúil Múinteoirí Is féidir le eTwinning an méid seo a leanas a thairiscint: grúpaí eTwinning ar thaispeáint; lmeachtaí foghlama; seimineáir ar líne; cúrsaí ar líne; Ceardlanna forbartha proifisiúnta; comhdhálacha téamacha; comhdháil bhliantúil; imeachtaí ar líne.

Treoir, taighde agus beartas De réir tátail de chuid na Comhairle Eorpaí um threoir éifeachtach san oideachas (2013) forbraíonn treoraithe foghlama maithe fís straitéiseach dá n-institiúidí, feidhmíonn siad mar rólchuspaí d’fhoghlaimeoirí agus do mhúinteoirí araon agus tá siad ríthábhachtach i dtaobh timpeallacht éifeachtach tharraingteach a chruthú atá fabhrach d’fhoghlaim. Osclaíodh grúpa tiomanta do phríomhoidí scoile agus foireann bhainistíochta scoile eile d’fhonn ceisteanna atá i gcoiteann acu a mhalartú agus a iniúchadh, cosúil le scileanna digiteacha, spreagadh scoláirí, tionchar na himirce agus an rud atá i gceist le bheith ina “scoil eTwinning”. Tá an grúpaoscailte do gach ceannaire scoile; tá ballraíocht eTwinning riachtanach.

4 Ensuring effective implementation While eTwinning cannot offer funding for devices for your school, as a European initiative—and part of Erasmus+—it provides schools with a simple and safe infrastructure for collaboration, tools, training and advice free of charge and without burdensome administrative procedures for educators. This infrastructure encourages schools to form all types of partnerships in any subject area, which is an effective way to foster the use of ICT, language and intercultural skills in school education. Cur i bhfeidhm éifeachtach a chinntiú Cé nach féidir le eTwinning maoiniú a thairiscint i gcomhair trealaimh do do scoil cuireann sé, mar thionscnamh Eorpach agus mar chuid den gclár Erasmus+, bonneagar simplí sábháilte ar fáil do chomhoibriú, uirlisí, oiliúint agus comhairle saor in aisce agus gan nósanna imeachta a chuireann ualach ar oiliúnóirí. Spreagann an bonneagar scoileanna chun gach saghas comhpháirtíochta a dhéanamh i réimse ábhair ar bith. Is slí éifeachtach é seo chun úsáid TFC, teangach agus scileanna idirchultúrtha in oideachas scoile a chothú.

eTwinning Handbook

Guidelines for Project Planning Before you plan your eTwinning project with your partners, make sure all project partners are clear about: ≥ The age ranges of all the students in the project ≥ The teaching subjects of all the partners ≥ The topic of your project

Follow these steps together with your partners in order to plan your project:

1. Brainstorm which parts of the curricula can be connected to your topic

2. Name your project and describe it briefly

3. Decide what the participants will learn

6. Agree how you will evaluate your project and organise assessment

5. Decide how you will interact and collaborate

4. Agree shared activities and tools

7. Plan introduction and concluding activities

8. Make a list of all the resources you will need

9. Decide how you will share your project in your school/community

A short collaboration project sample (9-10 lessons) is available in English and Irish on https://www.leargas.ie/programmes/etwinning/resources/ (Courtesy of Bart Verswijvel)

eTwinning Handbook

Contact the National Support Service for eTwinning in Ireland, Léargas Teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an tSeirbhís Tacaíochta Náisiúnta d’eTwinning in Éirinn Léargas

Cur Síos Gairid ar Léargas

Léargas is a not-for-profit organisation that manages national and international programmes in education, youth and community work, and vocational education and training. It was established in 1986 and is wholly owned by the Department of Education and Skills.

Eagraíocht neamhbhrabúis is ea Léargas a dhéanann bainistíocht ar chláir náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta san oideachas, obair óige agus pobail agus in oideachas agus oiliúint ghairme. Bunaíodh sa bhliain 1986 é agus is leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna é ina iomláine.

Our programmes focus on co-operation between communities and between countries, and aim to bring an international dimension to the work of education, training, and youth and community organisations. As well as eTwinning, we manage intercultural programmes such as Causeway and IAESTE, and are the National Agency for the European Union programme Erasmus+. The National Centre for Guidance in Education is also part of the Léargas network.

Tá ár gcuid clár dírithe ar chomhar idir pobail agus idir tíortha, agus déanann siad iarracht ar ghné idirnáisiúnta a thabhairt d’obair eagraíochtaí oideachais, oiliúna agus agus eagraíochtaí óige agus pobail. Lasmuigh d’eTwinning déanaimid bainistíocht ar chláir idirchultúrtha ar nós Causeway agus IAESTE agus is sinne an ghníomhaireacht Náisiúnta don gClár Erasmus+ de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh. Baineann an Lárionad Náisiúnta um Threoir san Oideachas le líonra Léargas, chomh maith.

You can find out more about what we do by visiting the Léargas website or following us on Twitter or Facebook:

www.leargas.ie www.twitter.com/Leargas www.facebook.com/Leargas.Ireland

Tá tuilleadh eolas ar a bhfuil á dhéanamh againn ach cuairt a thabhairt ar shuíomh gréasáin Léargas nó sinn a leanúint ar Twitter nó Facebook:

Email: etwinning@leargas.ie www.etwinning.ie Tel: 01 887 1206