Culture, Education and Science, EU – Baltic States

Nearly 500 teachers met in Spanish Seville to celebrate the fifth anniversary of eTwinning, an action that creates online communities of teachers and schools across Europe. Through eTwinning, over 85 000 teachers from across Europe work together in international school activities involving more than 50 000 schools in 32 European countries.

The European Schoolnet on behalf of the European Commission coordinates the eTwinning action.

For “common good”

During its five years of existence, eTwinning has grown from being a partner-finding tool for teachers to become a Europe-wide community of teaching and learning (www.etwinning.net ). On 5 February, a prize ceremony was held for 37 schools from 21 countries that were the winners of this year's eTwinning Awards for excellence in eTwinning, together with an annual conference.

Over the three days of the conference (5 – 7 February), teachers from thirty-two countries in Europe, as well as national and European representatives, were discussing the dedicated teachers’ contributions to the innovative education tool, its results and perspectives.

The eTwinning initiative makes the most of Web 2.0 tools to promote:

• on-line project work with pupils,
• on-line communities for teachers, and
• numerous opportunities for professional development.

Commission’s opinion

“eTwinning is a true community of practice, learning, excellence and innovation in education both at the European level and worldwide. The teachers participating in eTwinning have shown how powerful the learning experience can be for children when it is enriched through international collaboration, cultural and linguistic exchange using twenty-first century tools”. 

Odile Quintin, European Commission’s Director-General for Education and Culture

Categories and prizes

The top eTwinning projects were awarded prizes for their excellence in eTwinning during the 2008-2009 school year. The awards are presented in three age categories (4-11, 12-15 and 16-19) and four thematic categories (Spanish language, French language, Maths & Science, and Creative use of Digital Media).

In total, 37 schools from 21 countries came away as the top winners. Among the winners from the Baltic States are schools in Poland, Germany and Denmark, as well as from Latvia and Lithuania. 

The “material” part of the prizes for the age category winners is participation in the eTwinning Camp (to be held in April/May); special categories’ winners would receive school equipment.