Foreword by Ulrike Storost* - More than one decade ago, our partners, the National Support Organisations (nso), began to promote eTwinning in Initial Teacher Education (ite) in a couple of Europe¬an countries. This marked the start of the Teacher Training Initiative, as it was called at that time. Over time, more and more nso became interested in promoting eTwinning in ite institutions. The situation changed considerably in 2019 when working with ite institutions became an integral part of the nso work programmes. Likewise, we rebranded the initiative as eTwinning for Future Teachers to ensure that the emphasis on initial teacher education is better reflected in the name. With the relaunch, student teachers have also been able to register in eTwinning and carry out multidisciplinary, international learning projects that are then imple¬mented together with pupils under the guidance of teacher educators. Through eTwin¬ning, student teachers can learn essential future skills, project planning and guidance, international interaction, teamwork, and an inclusive teaching approach. With these skills, they will be better equipped to work in international teaching, education, and research networks. Several hundred ite institutions and teacher educators as well as thousands of student teachers have already been taking part. eTwinning for Future Teachers is important to the European Commission in sev¬eral ways. First, at individual level, introducing young professionals to eTwinning as part of their education gives them a head start to develop into their profession. From the start, it opens horizons towards the innovative and intercultural teaching methods that eTwinning embodies. It makes it easier for them to start eTwinning projects with their classes, once they have entered the teaching profession. And second, at systemic level, the European Commission and European Union Member States are working to achieve their collective vision for a European Education Area. It aims at building more resilient and inclusive national education and training systems. Offering cross-bor¬der collaboration and learning opportunities for Initial Teacher Education is key to achieve this vision by 2025, and eTwinning for Future Teachers is easily accessible to start this process. The European Commission has given cross-border collaboration among ite insti¬tutions another push by setting up the Erasmus+ Teacher Academies initiative under the European Education Area. Erasmus+ Teacher Academies are large-scale networks bringing together providers of initial teacher education and of continuous professional development, ministries, national authorities, teacher associations, and schools help¬ing teachers to practice their new skills. These networks aim at supporting educators by enhancing cooperation in teacher training at all stages of their careers, from initial teacher education to novice and in-service training as well as continued professional development. With projects running for three years, the Academies are developing in¬novative methods, joint courses, virtual training, and learning mobility opportunities. In addition, teachers can advance their professional development with online courses, webinars and teaching materials offered on the European School Education Platform, the new home for eTwinning. This platform covers a variety of topics linked to eu priorities in education, such as learning for environmental sustainability, blend¬ed learning, multilingualism, and inclusion. All these initiatives are part of the European Commission’s efforts to support and value the teaching profession. Attracting and retaining teachers is a big challenge in front of us, especially as so many countries are facing teacher shortages. I would like to thank the Italian nso and the authors for compiling this publica¬tion. The contributions to this book give evidence that eTwinning for Future Teachers is a meaningful and important tool in initial teacher education. I sincerely hope that this publication will inspire more ite institutions to participate and make
2.7 – University of Calabria - The eTwinning laboratory to acquire Soft skills
De Pietro Orlando
2023-01-01
Abstract
Foreword by Ulrike Storost* - More than one decade ago, our partners, the National Support Organisations (nso), began to promote eTwinning in Initial Teacher Education (ite) in a couple of Europe¬an countries. This marked the start of the Teacher Training Initiative, as it was called at that time. Over time, more and more nso became interested in promoting eTwinning in ite institutions. The situation changed considerably in 2019 when working with ite institutions became an integral part of the nso work programmes. Likewise, we rebranded the initiative as eTwinning for Future Teachers to ensure that the emphasis on initial teacher education is better reflected in the name. With the relaunch, student teachers have also been able to register in eTwinning and carry out multidisciplinary, international learning projects that are then imple¬mented together with pupils under the guidance of teacher educators. Through eTwin¬ning, student teachers can learn essential future skills, project planning and guidance, international interaction, teamwork, and an inclusive teaching approach. With these skills, they will be better equipped to work in international teaching, education, and research networks. Several hundred ite institutions and teacher educators as well as thousands of student teachers have already been taking part. eTwinning for Future Teachers is important to the European Commission in sev¬eral ways. First, at individual level, introducing young professionals to eTwinning as part of their education gives them a head start to develop into their profession. From the start, it opens horizons towards the innovative and intercultural teaching methods that eTwinning embodies. It makes it easier for them to start eTwinning projects with their classes, once they have entered the teaching profession. And second, at systemic level, the European Commission and European Union Member States are working to achieve their collective vision for a European Education Area. It aims at building more resilient and inclusive national education and training systems. Offering cross-bor¬der collaboration and learning opportunities for Initial Teacher Education is key to achieve this vision by 2025, and eTwinning for Future Teachers is easily accessible to start this process. The European Commission has given cross-border collaboration among ite insti¬tutions another push by setting up the Erasmus+ Teacher Academies initiative under the European Education Area. Erasmus+ Teacher Academies are large-scale networks bringing together providers of initial teacher education and of continuous professional development, ministries, national authorities, teacher associations, and schools help¬ing teachers to practice their new skills. These networks aim at supporting educators by enhancing cooperation in teacher training at all stages of their careers, from initial teacher education to novice and in-service training as well as continued professional development. With projects running for three years, the Academies are developing in¬novative methods, joint courses, virtual training, and learning mobility opportunities. In addition, teachers can advance their professional development with online courses, webinars and teaching materials offered on the European School Education Platform, the new home for eTwinning. This platform covers a variety of topics linked to eu priorities in education, such as learning for environmental sustainability, blend¬ed learning, multilingualism, and inclusion. All these initiatives are part of the European Commission’s efforts to support and value the teaching profession. Attracting and retaining teachers is a big challenge in front of us, especially as so many countries are facing teacher shortages. I would like to thank the Italian nso and the authors for compiling this publica¬tion. The contributions to this book give evidence that eTwinning for Future Teachers is a meaningful and important tool in initial teacher education. I sincerely hope that this publication will inspire more ite institutions to participate and makeI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
