CONTEXT The project was created in response to two basic needs identified at the level of the schools involved - the need to boost students' motivation and consequently their school results and the need to promote intercultural dialogue among people from different countries and backgrounds, in a European context which is now facing great challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this project consists of two apparently distinct directions. On the one hand, we want to get students more involved in their own learning by having them use the computer in their studying, thus improving their results and performance. On the other hand, we want them to experience what it means to be European, to expose them to different ways of thinking, values and beliefs. The parnership includes 5 schools – SI, RO, IT, GR, TR. AIM: to improve students' motivation, involvement and school results and to promote intercultural dialogue OBJECTIVES The objectives we envisage are: 1. to involve students in their own learning with a view to attaining better results and becoming more motivated; (at least 40 percent from the target group will improve their school results) 2. to develop students' transversal skills - numeracy, computer literacy, critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability; (at least 30 percent of students will improve these skills) 3. to develop intercultural understanding and acceptance; (at least 60 percent of students will have better knowledge of other cultures) 4. to develop communication skills in English; (the 100 participants, students and teachers, will improve communication skills in English) 5. to promote European values and develop cohesion among European citizens. (measurable by analysing students' and teachers' attitudes to other cultures, as seen in the post-LTTA feedback) MAIN ACTIVITIES C1 - Feb 2018 - IT - Topic: Using software to create fun lessons; Customs and traditions C2 - May 2018 - RO - Topic: Using online tools to create quizzes; Maths C3 - Oct 2018 - GR - Topic: Using online tools to create booktrailers; Literature C4 - March 2019 - SI - Topic: Digital tools for artwork; Religious Studies NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS 64 students aged 11-13 from the 5 schools, selected from the target group of 250. The students come from very diverse backgrounds - urban and rural - and have a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, which makes the project even more appealing. 36 teachers of ICT, English, Maths, METHODOLOGY The project is designed to cover 5 main areas: A1. Project management – includes monitoring and evaluation, risk management, financial management, cooperation and communication strategy that will be applied throughout the project. 2 TMs are included, 1 at the beginning, and 1 at the end of the project. A2. Implementation of activities - involves selection of participants, preparatory training sessions, participation in exchanges A3. Ellaboration of ICT lessons - done prior to the exchanges by each partner institution A4. Dissemination - dissemination will be a continuous process that involves the sharing of both tangible and intangible results at local, regional, national and international levels, using a variety of channels and addressing school and non-school audiences A5. Follow-up and sustainability - each school selects a group of teachers to implement the new methods during regular class work. The success is measured comparatively against the results and level of satisfaction of students who learned the same contents without digital instruments. Then another school in each area will be supported to include digital tools during class work in the next year. RESULTS AND IMPACT Students will improve knowledge in terms of ICT tools for educational purposes, practical skills related to designing mini-lessons, storytrailers, digital projects, online quizzes, digital artwork, motivation, school results, experience another culture, increase adaptability, self-awareness and awareness of cultural differences which make Europe so diverse, and yet unitary. Teachers will have the chance to exchange good practices, teaching methods, opinions and will improve English and digital skills, organisational skills, teaching methods and tools. Schools will promote a positive self-image and become more visible in the community. They will gain project management experience and will set examples for other schools to apply for projects. They will also become more cohesive and a positive atmosphere will be created among the members.
In partner schools we have detected the need to increase students’ motivation and consecutively their success and their active involvement in the education process. By giving them an opportunity to use tablets or computers for their school work or to create learning tools we have raised their motivation and influenced their self-esteem and success. Apart from that we have noticed the need for inter-cultural dialogue among the people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Project background 135 students and 78 teachers were actively involved in international project meetings and short term learning and teaching exchange activities. Participants. International project meeting in Slovenia: 9 teachers (Greece 2, Italy 2, Romania 3, Turkey 3 and Slovenia 3) Learning, Teaching and Training Activities in Italy: 12 teachers (Greece 2, Italy 3, Romania 2, Slovenia 3, Turkey 2) and 36 students (Greece 5, Romania 5, Slovenia 5, Italy 18, Turkey 3) Learning, Teaching and Training Activities in Romania: 15 teachers (Greece 2, Italy 3, Romania 5, Slovenia 3, Turkey 2) and 35 students (Greece 5, Italy 5, Romania 17, Slovenia 5, Turkey 3) Learning, Teaching and Training Activities in Greece: 17 teachers (Greece 6, Italy 2, Romania 2, Slovenia 4, Turkey 3) and 32 students (Greece 15, Italy 4, Romania 5, Slovenia 5, Turkey 3) Learning, Teaching and Training Activities in Slovenia: 12 teachers (Greece 2, Italy 2, Romania 2, Slovenia 4, Turkey 2) and 32 students (Greece 4, Italy 5, Romania 4, Slovenia 16, Turkey 3) International project meeting in Turkey: 13 teachers (Greece 2, Italy 2, Romania 2, Turkey 4 and Slovenia 3) The students directly involved in the student exchanges were aged between 10 and 14 years. In certain schools there were another XX active students. Selected students, that were involved in the projects were from various ethnic, religious and social groups (Roma, other minorities, poor, Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, Orthodox…). Description of finished activities As a part of the project there were 2 international project meetings and 4 Learning, Teaching and Training Activities. The first international project meeting was held at Primary School Beltinci from 27th – 29th November, 2017. The students were involved in 4 exchanges: In the first exchange they were learning about ICT tools (Geogebra, Kahoot!, Animoto, Mindmaple, Voki). After they returned they demonstrated the use of it for teachers and students and taught them to use. By using the mentioned (and also others) ICT tools the students created various learning materials for the lessons of Maths, literature and religion and the lessons were carried out at local schools and during the international learning and teaching events. Results and achieved effect For the purpose of the project and for dissemination we have opened an official website (http://mcme.scoalaionelteodoreanuiasi.ro), a local website, eTwinning classroom, facebook group. As a part of the project the students prepared 10 lessons for Maths, 10 lessons for literature and 5 lessons for Religious education. All the learning materials, lesson plans, handouts are published at the official website of the project. During international and local teacher conferences, meetings, seminars, conferences we have been disseminating our lessons locally and abroad. With publications in the local and international newspapers, website publications, TV interviews we have been sharing the project results with the wider audience. Long term benefits The students have learnt how to use various ICT tools for the purpose of education. With the mentorship of their teachers they have planned and designed lessons, carried them out in their mother tongue and in English in their schools and then also during exchanges. For the purpose of the lessons they prepared so called book trailers – advertisements, digital projects, website quizzes, digital art etc. By applying to take part in the project and being chosen for the exchanges and by preparing lessons they have built their self-esteem, motivation, by meeting people from other countries they have been broadening their awareness and knowledge of other cultures and the differences between them, they have learnt to adapt, be patient, communicate and work together and most importantly they were practicing communication and language skills. Students taking part in the international events also got to see the organization of public transport, function of airports, preparing the itinerary etc.