Introduction

In this module you will find useful tips that you can use when starting and taking part in an internationalisation program. Every part of organising a program has its difficulties and pitfalls. For example, you cannot just assume that your partner is skilled in using email or wikis. Also some schools may not have enough computers to allow all students to take part in the project. Successful projects rely on careful attention to details such as these.

Case

Summary

Resources

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Do take initiative
• Do contact foreign school
• Do search in e-twinning.com

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 etc.) and what the extra value is for pupils and teachers. 

The basis

• Make sure you have the backup of the schoolboard and the principal.
• Tell about the project at you school, advertise.
• Set individual and joint aims.
• Make sure teachers are involved/ Get teachers involved.
• Put a programmebooklet in the staffroom / advertise on the school website
• Find out if there is a need for an international project within the different departments of the school.
• Ask the ICT-group for ideas. 

Scenario

• Start planning on time.
• When will it take place?
• Make a programme booklet.
• Apply for Financial aid on time.
• Regular meetings at own school.
• Regularly contact partnerschools.
• Information in advance for parents, pupils and colleagues.
• Make a website for information during the exchange.
• Evaluate the project.
• Find participating teachers. 

Selfcontemplation  

• What are (your own) strenghts and weaknesses.

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.