255 Greek Primary and Secondary Education teachers were granted a European Quality Label within the framework of the eTwinning action, which brings Greece in the first position among forty countries and shows that its teachers are highly qualified and creative in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).  The Minister of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs, Nikos Filis, congratulated the teachers and students who participated in the projects, re-affirming the government’s support to the strengthening of the eTwinning network.

Since 2006, 29 Greek schools have been awarded in various categories of eTwinning European Prizes, while 2 of them have participated in “European eTwinning Prize” wining projects, namely the Primary School of Grizano, Trikala for the Rainbow Village Project (eTwinning Prize 2013) and Primary School of Patra for Let Your Passion Shine (eTwinning Prize 2014).

The eTwinning action promotes school collaboration in Europe through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by providing support, tools and services for schools. eTwinning offers a platform for staff (teachers, head teachers, librarians, etc) to communicate, collaborate, develop projects, share and, in short, feel and be part of the most exciting learning community in Europe. 

Launched in 2005 as the main action of the European Commission’s e-Learning Programme, eTwinning has been firmly integrated in Erasmus+. Its Central Support Service is operated by European Schoolnet, an international partnership of 31 European Ministries of Education developing learning for schools, teachers and pupils across Europe, while it is supported at a national level by 37 National Support Services. In Greece, this role is undertaken by the CTI “Diophantus” Computer Technology Institute and Press.

There are 2 types of public recognition in eTwinning: the European eTwinning Prizes and the Quality Labels. eTwinning Quality Labels are granted to teachers with excellent eTwinning projects. They indicate that the project has reached a certain national and European standard. Once a project has been awarded with a European Quality Label, it can join the competition for a European eTwinning Prize, awarded on an annual basis.

TAGS: EDUCATION | INNOVATION | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY