Set+up+a+successful+eTwinning+Project

== =Here you can learn about eTwinning and how to set up a successful project.= = =

Useful links
[|British Council] [|eTwinning UK Blog] [|eTwinning] [|Je blogues, tu blogues...let's blog!] Voices of the World

Introduction to eTwinning
[|Etwinning] is the main action of the EU's eLearning programme. It has been set up to promote school partnerships across Europe that involve the use of ICT. eTwinning is designed to bring any type of educational establishment (from Nurseries to FE Colleges and even Universities) closer together with European neighbours. Projects can be long or short term, involve as many establishments and countries as you want and use any language you want!

Why do an eTwinning Project
Working with pupils from across the EU has really improved the motivation of pupils at Ian Ramsey and this seems to be general feeling amongst eTwinners. Pupils see that they are creating material for a real audience, whilst also using a medium with which they are familiar. If they are unfamiliar with any tools that are being used, this motivates them still more because they are learning new skills. In addition they enjoy making new friends and taking risks with their language, learning that it doesn't matter about mistakes it's making themselves understood that is important.

How to go about eTwinning
Firstly you need to register with [|eTwinning]. To do this, go to the eTwinning website and click on "Register". Fill out all the details, giving information about you and what you teach, going onto information about your school and ICT equipment that you have available, then adding your ideas for the project that you would like to do. It's important to be specific so that you get people who have similar plans to you contact you. Once you are regisitered you can also "advertise" on the partner finding forum, which is a quick and easy way to find partners. You can contact people that you would like to work with and people who would like to work with you will contact you. When you find someone you do want to work with, you need to email one another and also use the chatroom provided within the eTwinning portal to finalise plans for your project. Once you have decided upon a project and format that it will take, the projects needs to be registered by the National Support Service in all of the countries where the project will run (this takes a couple of days). Once the project is approved you will be awarded an eTwinning Label that you can add to your school letter head.

Awards and Labels
eTwinning gives awards in recognition of good practice and excellent projects. In addition every year they give [|eTwinning prizes]. [|The National Quality Labels] are awarded to projects that are considered excellent. You apply for this label and if your NSS award this label, you can use this on your letter head. [|The European Quality Label] is automatically awarded to projects that have been given a National Quality Labels in two of the countries where the project is running. Again you can add this to your school letterhead. These awards really make the pupils feel proud of their achievements to feel that their work has been recognised by others on a National and European level,