We are no longer alone, we are now one in Europe. Our classes collaborate with students from other countries, while teachers organize activities with colleagues from diverse nations using educational platforms designed for sharing, such as eTwinning and Scientix.

eTwinning is a project of the European Commission that aims to encourage schools to create collaborations based on the use of new technologies, providing online tools and support services for the creation of e-learning activities. Moreover, the twinning of foreign schools promotes other languages, acquiring knowledge of other cultures and traditions and  developing communication skills.

One of the possible new languages to consider is coding. This is why the etwinning group coding@schools supports teachers and students to become involved in coding activities. Thanks to the playful approach, users are transformed from passive subjects who receive information, to active ones who can solve problems, make decisions and perform tasks.

The aim of coding@schools feature is to improve the computational thinking, a transversal skill that allows us to conceive and express rigorous procedures that lead to the solution of a problem or the realization of an idea. It can be applied to any discipline even without specific tools, but requires reflection and awareness.

Teachers of all levels can participate in the coding@schools initiative, from kindergarten to secondary school. Experiences are shared within the virtual platform. This can improve active participation and empower teaching skills. It helps forging new ties and bringing students closer to STEM, because coding at schools is for everyone, just as education is for everyone.

Why join?

In my opinion, one of the fundamental characteristics of the work on the eTwinning platform is the interdisciplinary approach to teaching. This helps you and your students to develop creativity and problem solving, to consolidate the decision-making process. Working by projects also offers the possibility of promoting the formation of students’ personalities, while the teacher takes on a more of a Socratic role: to moderate the work of the learners who build their knowledge with practical experience.

We are making the number of exchanges between students and teachers grow. Our experience is showing how the new friendships and the school networks undoubtedly develop in the direction of the construction of European civilization for a plural and pluralist future.

Welcome aboard!

Author: Stefania Altieri, Scientix Ambassador

Tags: coding@schools