Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
To Start
ICT
- Take into account the fact that you use computers so you need to know how to work with them.
- Make sure that the computers work and are available.
- Make sure that you have technical back-up.
- In advance think of which ICT tool you want to use during the project (e.g. website, wiki, video conference) and make sure they are available.a
- Ask yourself what the value of the tool you choose will be for pupils and teachers.
The Basics
- Identify the need for an international project in your school.
- Consult with the ICT group to ensure the most effective use of technology.
- Develop partnerships with colleagues in your school.
- Make sure you have the backup of the schoolboard and the principal.
- Inform parents and colleagues about the project at your school using print and online publications.
- Set individual and joint objectives.
Scenario
- Contact international partners and select a project.
- Decide when the project will take place.
- Establish a planning schedule.
- Make a programme booklet.
- Apply for financial aid on time.
- Conduct regular meetings at your school.
- Maintain regular contact with partner schools.
- Provide information in advance for parents, pupils and colleagues.
- Make a website for information during the project.
- Evaluate the progress of the project.
Self contemplation
- Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the project.
Organisation
- Make clear appointments on communication, tasks, responsibilities.
- Mention targetgroups of the project, educational level, communication language.
- Facilitate participating teachers of the project
- It is very important to visit the future partnerschool in advance. This way you can make better appointments easily.
- Don’t forget to notify the administration that you and your pupils will be absent.
- Start simple!
- Listen and look at what your colleagues do.
- Check if visitors to the Netherlands need a visa.
- Check if visitors to the Netherlands need health insurance.
Project content
- Mention if the project is subjectbased or not
- Try to make a project based on at least two subjects to make teachers work together.
Cultural differences
- Respect the school culture (give each other enough space, time and possibilities)
- Take into account the cultural differences and educational systems.
- If you have an exchange with Italy maybe you can find a teacher that can teach the pupils some Italian before going to Italy.
Financially
- Apply for the Financial aid for the exchange a year in advance at the European Platform; under the name BIOS
Physical exchanges
- When making the programme take into account that the guests also want some spare time.
Information
- A lot of information can be found on the net, e.g. Kennisnet (a lot of projectideas; emailprojects to… Learning Circle)
- Do search in e-twinning.com
- Just send an email to make contact. My experience is that Canadian colleagues are often very enthusiastic.
Dont's:
- Don’t just think that everyone will do what must be done.
- Make sure that you get things done
- Don’t push things through
- Don’t let the same teachers go on each exchange
- If you don’t have ict experience, do not start working on a big ict-project
- Don't underestimate the time involved
- Don't underestimate the joy you share in Internationalisation
- Don't lose any time, hurry up in finding a partner for international projects.
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