New Media – New Methods: teaching and learning in the digital age Erasmus Project

Project Title

New Media – New Methods: teaching and learning in the digital age

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 : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills

Project Summary

Most pupils at our schools use mobile devices and modern media outside school all day, every day. But they are often blind to the risks involved. Neither do they realise the full potential of these devices for learning: most probably see the main purposes of these devices to be a) for keeping in contact with “friends” and b) for playing games. However, we are convinced that the mobile devices in our pupils’ pockets and the computers in our classrooms and homes can be put to much better use for teaching and learning.

At the start of our project. many teachers at our schools were very cautious in their use of digital technology in lessons and did not take advantage of the many opportunities the digital age brings into the classroom, often because because they felt unqualified to do so. The main aims of our project were a) to train the staff in our schools to make the most of digital technology in their lessons, thereby enhancing the use of ICT in the teaching / learning process and increasing the quality of education and b) to educate our pupils to use digital technology safely and discover the potential their devices offer for learning, using innovative and learner-centered pedagogical approaches thereby developing their digital skills as well as their basic skills.

We realised during our last project that each of our schools had experience in a different field of digital technology. The English partner had a well equipped media suite for filming, photography, green-screen, stop-motion and digital editing; the German school used mobile devices for teahcing and learning; the Finish school used eBooks and materials; the Spanish school used Moodle as a virtual learning environment; the Italian school had begun to teach coding. During this project, we exchanged examples of best practice with our European partners, placing the emphasis on one of these specialist areas each term. Through blended learning, our pupils worked together online putting the the methods learnt into practice. Each phase culminated in an international meeting at which staff were trained by their hosts in their specialised area and the pupils worked in international teams, teaching their partners and putting the newly learned skill into practise.

The main topics of our project were: digital citizenship; digital multi-media film productions; the use of mobile devices, the creation and use of interactive eBooks, the creation and use of courses for learning platforms. We tested modern, learner-centred techniques such as video tutorials, blended learning and project-based learning and encouraged our pupils to take more responsibility for their own learning. Throughout the project, we considered how these elements could improve teaching and learning , so as to better meet the needs of individual pupils, increase their motivation and improve their basic skills.

We visited each of the five partner schools during the project with a team of around 40 visiting pupils and staff. They worked together to teach and learn from their partners. Four transnational project meetings for staff allowed for planning and evaluation as well as providing time for staff training for the upcoming activities. A final visit to England provided an opportunity to share examples of best practice in all areas covered. Throughout the project we used eTwinning and the Twinspce to collect our work and document our project as well as for online collaboration. The website contains examples of best practice from all areas covered and lists of tools and methods used.

The project brought benefits that could not be achieved without the element of European collaboration: A reduction of prejudice against other languages and nationalities by getting to know international students; opportunities to travel, become more independent and self-confident by visiting or hosting partners; Improved social skills, intercultural skills and life skills through being hosts and guests and through working together. Pupils experienced and embraced differences, made new experiences by participating in activities and visits. This also improved their language skills. The visits enabled the teachers to receive an unprecedented view into the school systems, methods and traditions in other countries which broadened their horizons and motivated them to re-think their own practices. The visits improved their language skills and their teaching skills in the area of digital media.

This project has encouraged pupils to change the way they see and use their phones and computers and to become more responsible digital citizens. It has begun to change the way the staff at our schools use modern media. They have aquired knowledge and experience in using computers and mobile devices as a way to make lessons more learner-centred and learners more independant.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 162914 Eur

Project Coordinator

Nelson-Mandela-Schule Dierdorf & Country: DE

Project Partners

• IES Enric Valor
• The Henry Beaufort School
• Scuola Secondaria di 1° Grado Riccardo Monterisi
• Soinin Yhtenäiskoulu