Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group Newsletter no. 5 - July 2015 | Page 49

Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2015 Newsletter

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Diagnostic test, medication or maybe powerful
antidote to the European (socio-moral) crisis?
eTwinning can do it!
by Christina Drakopoulou

institution, eTwinning can help to maintain a
relatively good level in the language which is the
bridge of communication and a precious way for
removing misunderstandings.

The first meeting was about eight years ago.
However we “gave” hands for three consecutive
years between 2010 and 2013. In this splendid
canvas we have worked and spent countless hours
Greeks, Dutch, French, Turks, Italians. All the
colours of the educational palette in unexpected
combinations. One missing, and the result would
not be the same, our memories would not be as
rich as they are.

There are students who enjoyed and earned so
much from their experience. What if we could
launch "transnational forum" within the eTwinning
platform, where students open their wings to fly
through modern topics where they can reflect the
vision and ideas on the European world (colourful or
critical world…)

We will not talk about eTwinning projects. But for
the main pillar of eTwinning, the edu-solidarity that
guides to a whole purpose. The socio-economic
reality - the crisis of the last five years in many
parts of the world makes – the euro-twinning more
urgent than ever.
Here in Greece, there has been a redefinition of
priorities, opportunities, available resources. The
children in classes are not so enthusiastic and
cheerful... they have ceased to think in terms of the
"here and now" that corresponds to endless
recreation. It seems that the uncertain future looks
to bother even younger students. They become
witnesses of the financial problems of their families.
If foreign languages are taught with a view to
certify basic skills for communication, to open
horizons and to get useful job skills, today learning
serves the prospect of a possible migration and a
given mobility. Important sums invested in
education are now available to meet basic needs
such as food and electricity bills. This corresponds
to fewer educational opportunities, school dropout.
(Even young students are forced to look to find a
way of living). Result: shrinking of the student
population, closed schools, fewer opportunities,
more pressure. As Noam Chomsky says: “the easy
victims in times of crisis are schools and teachers.”
They are those who absorb the pressure and stress
due to poverty, unemployment, unstable economic
and social conditions.
In these conditions eTwinning is requested to assist
in the curriculum with competitive skills in the field
of the 21st century. New functionalities and
activities closely linked to daily life (video
conferencing, text writing for hanging on school
blog) can involve students and guarantee future
personalities with critical opinion and the courage to
express it. eTwinning can also be an antidote to
dropout or temporary absences from classes due to
economic hardship. As an educational program –

eTwinning is also a weapon against stereotypes.
The European generation receives various
messages: in Southern Europe there was talk about
the PIGS, the acronym which includes countries in
deep financial crisis, but behind this sign there are
families who fight to earn a living. The Northerners
partners give the impression that South wastes
valuable resources at the expense of other
economies. The best way to “heal this hit” is to
continue to support the eTwinning cooperation
between schools in different countries.
Communication, collaboration and cultural
exchange demolish myths diligently built by shortsighted policies and discursive massive media.
Through eTwinning teachers we are given
opportunities to improve ourselves and empower
children illuminating dark spots seeking to define
their lives and prescribe their future. By giving the
example through our daily practice educators are
protectors of children's rights by facing the recent
model “deforestation of the public school and
expulsion of the youth from the economy and
society”. We are in favour of quality time versus the
tyranny of speed and the immediate effects. And
the most important: Teachers we must rekindle the
enthusiasm into the classes, inspire children that

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