Here's a new eTwinning publication (You can find my article on page 53):
https://issuu.com/frse/docs/twinning_meaning_web
https://issuu.com/frse/docs/twinning_meaning_web
Showing posts with label eTwinning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eTwinning. Show all posts
Last week was a real blessing. I can admit that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. My dreams simply come true.
One of my dreams was to visit the Future Classroom Lab in Brussels, Belgium. And I got that opportunity thanks to eTwinning National Support Service in Poland. I attended a 5-day course "Interactive technologies for the future classroom" (29th June - 3rd July). Everything was amazing. We had the best teacher trainer - Gert Lemmens (with a soft "G") and the best group of wonderful teachers from Italy, Portugal, Poland, Spain and the Northern Ireland. It was a real pleasure to work with them. Once again I felt being a part of an awesome community.
DAY 1
I arrived to Brussels at midnight, as my plane from Cracow to Warsaw was delayed and I didn't make it for my plane to Brussels. At least I had two hours to "explore" Warsaw Chopin Airport ;)
On Monday we started classes at 9:30 a.m. We were welcomed by our teacher, Gert (his name was difficult to pronounce), and Elina Jokisalo, who works at European Schoolnet. We started with an ice-breaking activity "Animal farm". The first person I met was Susan from the Norther Ireland. She is a beauty therapy and hair-dressing specialist. Then we had a funny dancing exercise ;)
It turned out that our group is very creative and eager to learn new things. The first tool we were shown was Mentimeter. It's a cloud-based tool for real-time interaction. It's really simple yet powerful tool. You have to sign up at Mentimeter website and then create a question. Your audience goes to the specific website, enters the code and sends their answers. They can use any device connected to the Internet. If you don't have computers or tablets in your classroom, you can ask your students to BYOD (bring your own device).
It turned out that our group is very creative and eager to learn new things. The first tool we were shown was Mentimeter. It's a cloud-based tool for real-time interaction. It's really simple yet powerful tool. You have to sign up at Mentimeter website and then create a question. Your audience goes to the specific website, enters the code and sends their answers. They can use any device connected to the Internet. If you don't have computers or tablets in your classroom, you can ask your students to BYOD (bring your own device).
First our teacher showed us this tool and we used it as students. Then we signed up and created our own questions and shared them with the group. We had a lot of fun.
Another tool we learned was Socrative. We used this tool to create online quizes.
DAY 2
On Tuesday we worked in groups planning eTwinning projects. I worked with two primary teachers from Italy. At first it was a little bit difficult to communicate as they barely spoke English, but they were so nice that we made it :) We designed a project about butterflies. It's an outline of a project for now.
Next step was FCL tour. Elina showed us every Learning Zone and explained their functions. FCL is formed by six different zones: create, interact, investigate, develop, present and exchange.
It would be wonderful if my classroom looked like this.
After coffee break we explored Kahoot - a free game-based platform for creating quizes. We had a lot of fun, as most of the quizes we created were humorous.
This busy day ended with a QR-code game. We were divided into groups and we had to do 8 activities (e.g. sining "Help" by the Beatles, dancing to "YMCA" or "Macarena", taking unusual group selfie etc).
DAY 4
On Thursday we learned another tool for creating interactive quizes - Quizziz. It's quite similar to Kahoot and very easy to use. My friends prepared very challenging quizes.
Prowise is another online tool that looks like IWB software. It also can be used to create quizes, but it is not as intuitive as other tools. This time I worked with a Polish group. We prepared a lesson and a quiz about the UK.
I was very good at maths games that our teacher made for us. I was the winner of the first game ;)
On Tuesday we worked in groups planning eTwinning projects. I worked with two primary teachers from Italy. At first it was a little bit difficult to communicate as they barely spoke English, but they were so nice that we made it :) We designed a project about butterflies. It's an outline of a project for now.
It would be wonderful if my classroom looked like this.
After coffee break we explored Kahoot - a free game-based platform for creating quizes. We had a lot of fun, as most of the quizes we created were humorous.
This busy day ended with a QR-code game. We were divided into groups and we had to do 8 activities (e.g. sining "Help" by the Beatles, dancing to "YMCA" or "Macarena", taking unusual group selfie etc).
DAY 3
On Wednesday we explored two tools: i3learnhub and Stop Motion Studio.
i3learnhub is an online collaborative learning platform (IWB software). It doesn't require installation, and it works with any device connected to the Internet. Once again we worked in groups and our task was to create a lesson. I worked with Magda and Salvador from Spain. We had a great time using this tool.
Next tool was Stop Motion Studio - an app for stop motion moviemaking. We worked in different groups - I was in a group with Isabell from Portugal and Thomas from the Norther Ireland. We had to create a short movie. The topic was "Friends".
Here's our work:
On Wednesday we explored two tools: i3learnhub and Stop Motion Studio.
i3learnhub is an online collaborative learning platform (IWB software). It doesn't require installation, and it works with any device connected to the Internet. Once again we worked in groups and our task was to create a lesson. I worked with Magda and Salvador from Spain. We had a great time using this tool.
Next tool was Stop Motion Studio - an app for stop motion moviemaking. We worked in different groups - I was in a group with Isabell from Portugal and Thomas from the Norther Ireland. We had to create a short movie. The topic was "Friends".
Here's our work:
DAY 4
On Thursday we learned another tool for creating interactive quizes - Quizziz. It's quite similar to Kahoot and very easy to use. My friends prepared very challenging quizes.
Prowise is another online tool that looks like IWB software. It also can be used to create quizes, but it is not as intuitive as other tools. This time I worked with a Polish group. We prepared a lesson and a quiz about the UK.
I was very good at maths games that our teacher made for us. I was the winner of the first game ;)
DAY 5
Friday was a very emotional day. In the morning we had to say goodbye to our friends from the Northern Ireland, as they went home early. It wasn't so much fun without them.
Before a coffee break we learned how to create instruction videos with Educreations. Unfortunately, the Internet conection wasn't good that day. It was a mission impossible to do anything.
Our last task was to do something creative using the tools we learned during the course. We worked in groups for the last time. I worked with Carla from Portugal and two Italian teachers. We decided to use Stop Motion Studio and a box of Lego bricks. We've prepared our own version of "Wrecking Ball" video by Miley Cyrus.
Here it is:
Friday was a very emotional day. In the morning we had to say goodbye to our friends from the Northern Ireland, as they went home early. It wasn't so much fun without them.
Before a coffee break we learned how to create instruction videos with Educreations. Unfortunately, the Internet conection wasn't good that day. It was a mission impossible to do anything.
Our last task was to do something creative using the tools we learned during the course. We worked in groups for the last time. I worked with Carla from Portugal and two Italian teachers. We decided to use Stop Motion Studio and a box of Lego bricks. We've prepared our own version of "Wrecking Ball" video by Miley Cyrus.
Here it is:
Estonia has revolutionized the educational system in order to raise smarter and tech-savvy children. The aim is to develop digital skills of both teachers and students (at each level). One of the educational initiatives in Estonia is a programme called ProgeTiger launched in 2012. The objective is to raise children who like technology and understand how it works. How do Estonians do it? They integrate coding into different subjects, train teachers, support schools in acquiring high-tech devices, and organize competitions for students.
Poles have nothing to be ashamed of. Although our society is not as tech-savvy as Estonian society, we have also got our own coding educational programme called Mistrzowie Kodowania (The Masters of Coding). I'm proud to take part in it from the beginning.
I think that having basic knowledge of coding is very important in the 21st century. That is why I was so excited to participate in the PDW. In Tallinn I have met a lot of wonderful eTwinning- and ICT-geeks like me.
On 25th September we started with a networking dinner. We were divided into 10 international tables. It was a good chance to get to know at least 6 teachers from different countries and share our teaching experience. The organizers planned some icebreakers. Our table was so creative that we have even written a poem about our group.
26th September was a very busy day. We started with a 3-hour plenary session. The keynote speach "Internet of Things – how dust will change the future?" by JĂĽrgo-Sören Preden, Head of the Research Laboratory for Proactive Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, was inspiring and a bit terrifying at the same time. Will we control devices in the future or will devices control us?
It was good to hear Anne Gilleran, Senior Pedagogical Adviser at eTwinning's Central Support, EUN. She presented the future directions of eTwinning. She also explained why the eTwinning community should be interested in coding. I agree with Anne that it's "better to control than to be controlled" and that "coding will build the future".
There were three more presentations, but I was mostely impressed by a 14-year-old, Karl, who presented his experience with coding. He spoke English quite fluently and he was very enthusiastic about the topic.
After lunch we took part in workshops. I chose Lego Mindstorm and I have to admit that it was fun. We worked in pairs and we were given some simple tasks to solve. The last part of the workshop was a challange: how to program the robot to drive a given distance without hitting a Lego figure. My partner from Norway and me were successful.
The second workshop I chose was about creating games in Sploder (an online environment for creating games). The workshop was hosted by Estonian teenagers. I wasn't very fond of Sploder, but I'm sure my students will love it.
After such a busy day, we were taken to Kolu Inn. We could try traditional Estonian food, play old Estonian games, watch a short performance by folk dancers and even dance together. I had the best time ever, as I love dancing.
On 27th September we planned and registered our eTwinning projects. I found two project partners, Kairi from Estonia and Robert from Sweden. We came up with the idea that we can integrate coding and culture. We registered a project entitled "Across the Baltic Sea".
In the evening we had a guided tour in Tallinn old city. We did some sightseeing on Sunday morning, too.
The PDW was a memorable experience. I met a lot of amazing teachers, I learned a lot of new things, I got a lot of new ideas and inspirations. But most of all, I felt being a part of very powerful and creative eTwinning community.
It was good to hear Anne Gilleran, Senior Pedagogical Adviser at eTwinning's Central Support, EUN. She presented the future directions of eTwinning. She also explained why the eTwinning community should be interested in coding. I agree with Anne that it's "better to control than to be controlled" and that "coding will build the future".
There were three more presentations, but I was mostely impressed by a 14-year-old, Karl, who presented his experience with coding. He spoke English quite fluently and he was very enthusiastic about the topic.
After lunch we took part in workshops. I chose Lego Mindstorm and I have to admit that it was fun. We worked in pairs and we were given some simple tasks to solve. The last part of the workshop was a challange: how to program the robot to drive a given distance without hitting a Lego figure. My partner from Norway and me were successful.The second workshop I chose was about creating games in Sploder (an online environment for creating games). The workshop was hosted by Estonian teenagers. I wasn't very fond of Sploder, but I'm sure my students will love it.
After such a busy day, we were taken to Kolu Inn. We could try traditional Estonian food, play old Estonian games, watch a short performance by folk dancers and even dance together. I had the best time ever, as I love dancing.
On 27th September we planned and registered our eTwinning projects. I found two project partners, Kairi from Estonia and Robert from Sweden. We came up with the idea that we can integrate coding and culture. We registered a project entitled "Across the Baltic Sea".
In the evening we had a guided tour in Tallinn old city. We did some sightseeing on Sunday morning, too.
The PDW was a memorable experience. I met a lot of amazing teachers, I learned a lot of new things, I got a lot of new ideas and inspirations. But most of all, I felt being a part of very powerful and creative eTwinning community.
One of my career highlights is eTwinning. The chance of doing projects with teachers and students from all over Europe boosts my motivation and engages my students into the learning process.
Last week I was nominated as an eTwinning ambassador in Poland. I can't express how proud I am.
This weekend I was asked to run an ICT workshop for Polish teachers who are beginners in eTwinning.
This is a Prezi on how to use Glogster Edu step by step. It's in Polish, but I'll translate it into English in a week or so.
I'm taking part in an amazing eTwinning Learning Event: "eTwinning 3.0". I've just participated in the IGNITE session organized by Arjana Blazic & Bart Verswijvel. I was lucky to meet them in Lisbon, Portugal this year. They are full of enthusiasm and they share it with others.
One of the tasks we were asked to do during the Learning Event was to design a learning activity using connecting tools. The teachers' responds were very creative, so if you want to be inspired, you can read them here: http://etinera.be/learninglab/learning-activities/
And here's the activity designed by me:
The new eTwinning publication about 25 successful projects is finally online. One of these projects is mine :) I'm so proud of it. The project was awarded with the European eTwinning Prize in the special category: Mevlana Prize for Intercultural Understanding in March 2013.
The publication is in Polish, but you can learn more about the project on its website:http://onceuponatimeineurope.wikispaces.com/
You can also listen to me talking about the project on the Polish Radio:
http://www.thenews.pl/1/6/Artykul/131779,Polish-teachers-winning-at-eTwinning-
