My eTwinning, Gruntvig,

Comeniusand

International School Award Journey.

Marilyn Tinkler

Background information: Career In Education - 23 years

18yrs: Primary Education ( SEN) 3yrs: Head Of Dept - Secondary SEBD( 10 to 18 year old students with Social, Emotional And Behaviour Difficulties)

2 yrs: Independent Consultant, Arts Adviser and Creative Practitioner.

Range of students:MainstreamMild, Moderate and Severe Learning / Behaviour Difficulties, Aspergers, Autism, ADHD, Developmental Dyspraxia, Elective Mute, Cerebral Palsy, Downs, Social and Emotional Disorders. Language Skills Disorders and Students who have a range of Alternative Learning Styles.

My school International journey began more than 6 years ago

eTwinning Projects: ICT Technologies

Romania / UK ( Not Such Crazytalk) This project based on exchange of topical and relevant news articles won Secondary School runner up in the National eTwinning event last year – not bad for an SEBD school!It also contributed greatly to the successful acquisition of our Full International School Award!

Digital StorytellingSpain / Romania / UK (digital stories)Exchange of news and everyday classroom activities via VOKI and a range of presentation tools – an extension to our Comenius Project to keep in touch.

Germany / UK Primary A simple Modern Foreign Language Exchange of basic Movie maker and Smile box clips containing information about themselves, their schools and their hobbies via e mail

Involvement in the Global Dimension has brought with it:• Wider Perspective On Education Matters• Innovative Technologies• Fresh Inspiration• Enhanced Teaching• European wide CPD Opportunities• United Community of Colleagues• Effective Learning Platforms• Awards, Recognition , Raised Standards

In Children’s Aspirations and Learning

Personal Development andFunded Training Opportunities.

A range of one day, weekend and week long training events both in the UK and

across Europe. Increasing knowledge, skills and confidence which help me to better understand and keep pace with an ever

changing curriculum. There are thousands to choose from.

ec.europa.eu/education/trainingdatabase/

Sweden: ( Gruntvig Programme )

Digital Storytelling for children who pose the most difficult problems in Education – 5 Days

Iceland: ( Gruntvig )Sensitization Training In Racism, Discrimination and Migration – 4 days

(Intercultural Iceland) Cooperative Learning Techniques In A Multicultural Environment – 2 days

eTwinning Ambassador CPD 1 and 2 day Workshops:HungarySardiniaBelgium NottinghamManchesterLondonkeeping up with new technologies, communication and sharing excellence in teachinghttp://www.etwinning.net/

Some of my projects:

with reluctant learners, those with SEN and those falling behind with reading, maths or social skills in

mind.

Comenius Projects: (Multilateral)Safe Schools ProjectHollandUKRomaniaCzech RepublicSharing of good practice to keep our Schools, Children, Teachers and School Communities safe. 6,000 euro grantExchange visits and written reports and evaluations by staff from all areas of the schools’ communities , both teaching and non teaching

Comenius Projects: (Multilateral)Cook, Think, ChatUK ( 2 schools)TurkeySpainExchange of teacher mobilities, workshops and activities relating to Food Technology, Culture, Literacy and PHSE to help encourage dialogue between countries(8,000 euro grant)

Comenius Projects: (Multilateral)Arts As A Means For More Attractive Teaching And LearningRomaniaUKGran CanariaExchange of methodology and good practice techniques in the Arts based on traditional tales via mobilities to each partner country and attending / leading workshops

14.000 euro grant

From this project, as partners we developed another Comenius

multilateral cross curricular maths project with Hungary, Spain,

Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria and our school was awarded

22.000 euros for student and teacher mobilities.

Shapes Across Europe

So, what is the impact of involvement in eTwinning,

Comenius or the International School Award?

Engagement for all students and their teachers in meaningful

activities right across the curriculum. Often Cross Curricular or Topic based, but also subject

specific. students feel they have an audience and this gives purpose to

their work.

These are photos from some of our activities workshops ...

These are photos from some of our activities workshops ...

Colouring, Counting, Recognition Romanian Flag - Kindergarten

Songs and Rhymes

Woodwork classes

Art and Design

A line and tone workshop in Romania

Glass Painting

Making Negresti Masks

Needlecraft

Exchange of Recipes

Traditional Costumes

Learning languages

Culture and Craft

History

Our projects provided opportunity for wide ranging

interesting methods to practise fundamental skills

in communication and tolerance of diversity and

cultures.

PHSE and The Heartstone Project

Many of the activities and events required that we worked together

as teams, with timescales and deadlines Everyone had a part to

play both in the project and also in wider society We tapped into everyone’s skills and talents

giving everyone equal opportunity to participate.

Giving both staff and students a wider perspective on the

world, the possibilities to make an impact by sharing their

skills and learning from each other and opportunities for

high quality CPD.

Raising Standards In Education:

motivation

How Can You Get Involved?

eTwinning.

Lets take a look at the site:http://www.etwinning.net

And Finally, a look at my eTwinning and International

journey in pictures...

Marilyn TinklereTwinning Ambassador North Westmarilyntinkler@ymail.com