How we do it in Poland - M. Chodakowska-Malkiewicz and D. Tokarz

How we do it in Poland

By Mariola Chodakowska-Malkiewicz

and Dominika Tokarz

eTwinning in Poland: top-down approach

TASKS OF REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Coordinators, Promoters, Ambassadors

Common tasks for all Regional Representatives 1. Promotion of the eTwinning Programme through: • cooperating with local media• the websites of Regional Educational Inspectorates, Teacher Training Institutions, schools • other educational events like eTwinning Weeks, competitions, conferences2. Participation in regional conferences, seminars, workshops3. Dissemination of promotional materials and publications4. Preparing Annual Report on activities 5. Cooperation with NSS

Different tasks of Regional Representatives

CoordinatorsCoordinating educational events and initiatives

Promoters• Cooperation with Coordinators and Ambassadors • Running workshops

Ambassadors• Giving good practice examples • Running workshops for teachers

❶❺ Online course trainers❶❻ Promoters (teacher trainers)❶❻ Coordinators (regional school inspectors)❸❶ Ambassadors (experienced practitioners)

eTwinning in Poland in our

dreams...

eTwinning in EACH Polish school

eTwinning ambassador in Poland

– how it works• Marketing – needs analysis

• Recruitment – done by the ambassador or the workshop host– audience numbers range from 20 to 40– length ~ 2-5 hours

• Venue – provided by the ambassador or the workshop host

A workshop consists of two parts:

1) Introduction stage (temptation)

A workshop consists of two parts:

1) Introduction stage (temptation)

2) Practical stage (ICT taming)

Photo credit: tarotastic / Foter / CC BY-NC

The temptation stage• introduction to the eTwinning programme

– why get involved? – the benefits

eTwinning for school staff...

• Contact with education professionals in another European country

• An awareness of teaching and/or management approaches used in another country

• Sharing and celebration of your own professional skills and experience

• Using eTwinning as a first step to international linking and forming a Comenius group

• Professional development e.g. online courses on eTwinning

eTwinning for students…• Increased motivation, as they have an audience

for their work in a school in another country• Enhanced key skills, including ICT use,

communication and foreign language skills

• Greater cultural awareness through direct contact with peers in other countries

• Learning through/and fun

eTwinning school projects

- Best Practice examples

The practical ICT stage- hands-on training

• Registration – school/teacher• Desktop – profile• TwinSpace – cooperation platform• (and or optional) Training in using ICT tools

such as forums, chat, instant messengers e.g. Skype or how to use Voki, Glogster etc.

• Workshop completion – theory+skills– handouts/tutorials – promotional materials (from NSS)– certificate of attendance

Follow-up activities

• being a 'Helpdesk' for the new eTwinners

Photo credit: omnia_mutantur / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

September 2012 – June 2013:

• 277 meetings to promote eTwinning• 6 095 participants took part

January – June 2013:

• 126 meetings• 2 812 participants• 840 newly registered eTwinners

• Promotion – regional actions

• Informing and inviting local media

• Distributing promotional materials

• Providing information via email, telephone, face-to-face meetings

• Running eTwinning Open Door Days in schools

• Taking 'any' chance to get to the potential eTwinners

How is the programme perceived by regional representatives?

• Only pros?• There are some cons too...

1. teachers about themselves (SWOT)• low ICT competences• insufficient language skills• lack of cooperation

between teachers

2. teachers about their work environment (SWOT)

• insufficient ICT equipment• sometimes… NO from

the school head • poor cooperation between

the eTwinning representatives in regions

• lack of support from the local edu authorities

New approach of information and promotional campaign by the PL NSS:

• Regional Conferences in cities like Gdansk, Bialystok, Olsztyn, Warsaw, Cracow etc.

• Regional Competitions – local authorities e.g. Sopot or Podlaskie Region

• Stronger ties with the local media• Closer cooperation between

ambassadors and promoters

Mariola Chodakowska-Malkiewicz

eTwinning promoter

m.chodakowska@wmodn.elblag.pl

Dominika Tokarz

eTwinning ambassador

dominikatokarz@gmail.com