eTwinning Visibility Newsletter no. 3 eTwinning Visibility Newsletter no. 3 | Page 68

Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2013 Newsletter -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Moreover, it is necessary to care of teachers’ requests and interests about approaches and methodologies in order to offer them proper occasions to enrich their English language competences and their didactic experience. In this way, they can feel more motivated to look for new useful strategies to put into practice in their classes. Personally, I think that eTwinning can be exploited as a training platform too because it offers new continuous and involving chances. Teachers do not need to be “digital natives” in order to surf eTwinning, they need a laptop, an Internet connection, and to be a member of this European community! Workshops that can be a powerful mixture able to prepare and keep teachers informed according to their interests and spare time. Learning Events are suitable for teachers who want to increase their professional development and cooperate actively with other colleagues attending online courses. They are coordinated by an expert tutor and they are usually short and intensive. In fact, each Learning Event lasts for 4 or 5 days – there is active work and discussion, followed by 4 or 5 days of reflection and personal work. There is a platform where teachers can interact so to share ideas and build up skills. It is usually required to upload materials that everyone can access during his own time. Open as long-term discussion platforms, the eTwinning Groups are another chance to support teachers’ professional development. According to different topics related to subjects or to particular approaches or methodologies such as the Application of tools, Math and Science, Using media, CLIL, these platforms are also moderated by an expert eTwinner and teachers should work together carrying out tasks or discussing about teaching and learning strategies. This newsletter you are reading now is a result of similar work in the Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group! The main aims of the Teachers’ Rooms are to stimulate teachers to contribute and share resources. Rooms are online spaces that support teachers who want to suggest or compare tools, materials, give useful tips or just talk about doubts so to sustain the quality of education. There are lots of teachers’ Rooms in all languages, and some of them are so successful that they have evolved f