Shared Voices – connecting communities in the digital age Erasmus Project

Project Title

Shared Voices – connecting communities 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 : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Creativity and culture; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions

Project Summary

The project is entitled ‘Shared Voices – connecting communities in the digital age.’ Participating schools will create an online digital journal with the primary aim of giving a voice to local communities across the partnership. The journal will be split into three sections. One will report on the stories of the day through interviews with locals; one will encourage people to protect and celebrate the history and culture of their localities; and one will explore how local concerns can be addressed through eco-technologies.
The needs which inspired the project idea were: to reinforce an existing European partnership; to strengthen networks and co-operation at an international level, by joining with new schools who share common aims; and to create an inclusive platform which will enhance our pupils’ chances of future employment through developing key competences.
The key priorities for the project are to explore common values, civic engagement and participation, to promote social inclusion, and to reinforce the development of key competences. Within these priorities we have the following objectives:
– to create an online digital journal which will aid the participation of disadvantaged learners and will promote inclusion within communities
– to connect communities beyond country borders helping them understand the similarities and differences in cultural history and contemporary life between the participating countries
– to strengthen links between local communities and schools
– to identify common values and develop capacity for critical thinking through comparison of the partnership schools and contexts
– to improve local areas through civic engagement and eco-initiatives
– to raise standards of written competency by writing for a real purpose
– to advance language, ICT and media literacy skills
– to raise teaching standards through the sharing and confronting of ideas, practices and methods, especially regarding eco-technologies
– to foster friendships for staff and for pupils
The project involves five contrasting primary schools, with pupils from socially diverse backgrounds. The schools have been specially selected to provide differences in expertise and culture, as many of the local areas, although rich in culture and history are lacking in cohesion and visions for the future. The pupils within our schools are aged between 4 and 15 and in total there are 1400+ pupils along with class teachers and key staff coordinators. Some of our pupils are categorised as having SEND and will have priority to travel and extra support to ensure they can fully and equally access all activities.
The planned activities are linked to creating articles for regular publication of the online digital journal. These activities are: interviewing and meeting with cross-generational members of local communities, researching information about places of local interest (especially those in danger of becoming ‘lost’), learning how to write journalistic articles, producing videos and audio articles, researching and writing about cultural traditions, investigating local problems and getting involved with local initiatives to improve community life, researching and exploring eco-technologies. They will be enhanced and supported by opportunities for disadvantaged pupils to attend specifically planned LTTs and for staff to receive ICT training.
The online journal itself will be a community resource and it is hoped that the reach of this will be far and wide. Encouraging a wide readership from the outset should mean that communities will access the journal regularly. This project and its results could have a positive impact on many groups, such as vulnerable members of society, or those with a general interest in local news, comparing systems, preserving heritage or exploring new technologies. As well as its presence as an online journal, the project will be shared at European level via eTwinning, and the Erasmus+ Project Results site.
One huge benefit of this project lies in its ability to be maintained after the funding period ends; the schools will continue to provide this resource for their communities and will feel they have impacted positively on people’s lives in a real way. The journal can grow to include more schools or develop a voice from other sectors of the community. Standing alone we offer only one point of view and one set of skills: together we share and learn from each other.
Locally it is hoped that the schools will become known as beacons for the community voice at the heart of a cohesive and proactive population.
Pupils and staff will be proud of their achievements and their active participation in social innovations and local projects. They will grow up in our schools, developing their ICT and communication skills, alongside a sense of responsible citizenship. Continuing collaboration will ensure that the relationship between schools remains strong; life-long learning as partners and friends.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 114364 Eur

Project Coordinator

Sherborne C of E Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Szkola Podstawowa nr 42 im. Jana Brzechwy w Czestochowie
• Escola Básica Gonçalo Mendes da Maia
• Thomas More Scuola Paritaria Scarl
• BEC DE L’ÀGUILA