Development of Digital Competency Erasmus Project

Project Title

Development of Digital Competency

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Pedagogy and didactics

Project Summary

The context of the project was as follows:
The project aimed to develop Digital Competencies in line with the Welsh Government’s new curriculum. We aimed take a small delegation from Ysgol Brynrefail to Romania, with a return visit by our partner institution and that pupils from our partner institution Colegiul Economic “Ion Ghica”. During the exchange we aimed to showcase and share good practice. The pupils would be able to participate in lessons to see how the curriculum is designed to deliver the strands and the elements of the Digital Competency Framework. We would be able to share what works well in Ysgol Brynrefail, and likewise what has been successful at Colegiul Economic “Ion Ghica”.

The project objectives were as follows:
1. The project will enabled teachers at both institutions to share effective practice with regards to the following Digital Competency skills:
i.Citizenship ii.Interacting and Collaborating iii.Producing iv. Data and computational thinking
2. Students and teachers will have engaged in a transnational visit to study and analyse alternative pedagogy.
3. Going forward, schemes of work at both institutions be modified to include best practice observed.
4. The twinning experience enhance the digital skills of teachers and students alike
5. There be a long term benefit to students at both institutions as a result of increased Digital Competency skills, thus enhancing the skills offering to employers at local, national and international level.
6. The project include students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
7. The project will include parents, and the wider community in publicizing the increasing importance of Digital Competency, and the contribution that this partnership can make.

The activities that took place were:
A group of five students and two teachers from Coleguil Economic “Ion Ghica” visited Ysgol Brynrefail in Wales in October 2019
Following the cancellation of the planned mobility to Romania due to the COVID-19 pandemic a week of virtual activities was organised in June 2021 using various platforms such as Zoom and Google Classroom.

The project results were as follows:
During Coleguil Economic “Ion Ghica” visited Ysgol Brynrefail in Wales in October 2019 a wide range of activities were organised in the ever evolving field of Digital Competency. This included a presentation on the new Welsh Digital Competency Framework, staff and pupils from Coleguil Economic “Ion Ghica” were able to observe and take part in lessons at Ysgol Brynrefail. These included Welsh lessons using ‘Keynote’, Technology lessons using CAD Techsoft 2D Design as well as the “Battle of the Buggies” competition. The use of iPads to support the teaching was demonstrated in Physical Education and Computer Science lessons centered on Inputs and Outputs, Kitronik, Computer Networks and Identifying components within a computer. Furthermore social, cultural and historical experiences were organised including a tour of Caernarfon town and castle, quarry carts and zip wire at Penrhyn Quarry and a RIB ride on the Menai Straight. The staff and 6th form pupils also shared a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Pupils and staff were able to socialise and exchange contact details ahead of future networking. During the virtual exchange in 2021 a Google Classroom was set up so that students from both schools could communicate, collaborate and submit work. Pupils created a video or voice memo to present themselves as well as a digital app. A Virtual Guide to Targoviște and quiz. Based on a presentation that they read, pupils created a 4-cell storyboard using Storyboardthat to show how to fight against virtual harassment and stay safe online. The European Digital Competence Framework was presented by Carmen Rădulescu, and Pupils from both schools went into go into breakout rooms on Zoom in order to work collaboratively on breaking a mathematical code. Following this students worked collaboratively using Padlet and Meetigng Words. Pupils then gained a ‘Digital Master’ open badge, before using Bookcreator in order to produce a digital book outlining what they had learnt about Romania and online safety.

The expected long-term benefits are as follows:
Numerous students and staff were able to take part in the various physical and virtual activities, thus developing their digital skills for the future.
Good practice at both institutions was showcased and shared so that present and future students could benefit from what was learnt.
Schemes of work at both Ysgol Brynrefail and Coleguil Economic “Ion Ghica” will be amended to reflect what was learnt during the mobilities.
Close ties have been forged between both institutions during the course of the project. This has enabled not only the development of digital competency but a better understanding of the education systems in both countries, as well as culture, tradition and history.
It is hoped that future exchange visits can take place in 2021 or 2022.

Project Website

https://digitall-e.weebly.com/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 25502 Eur

Project Coordinator

Ysgol Brynrefail & Country: UK

Project Partners

• COLEGIUL ECONOMIC ION GHICA