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European School Education Platform Professional Development Opportunities
Upcoming courses:
· Self-paced course: Using debate to build critical thinking and communication skills, no expiration date
· Develop STEM skills using cross-curricular teaching pathways, 19.05.2025
Self-paced learning materials:
· Online tutorial: Addressing maths anxiety and building students' confidence in maths
· Online tutorial: Playful learning for reading: a child-centred approach in the classroom
· Self-paced course: Using debate to build critical thinking and communication skills
· Self-paced course: Students as designers of learning spaces
Upcoming webinars:
Webinar: Learning for Sustainability in Early Childhood
Sustainability education starts from very early years! Valuing sustainable development is an absolute necessity for global prosperity!
Join us for this webinar where we explore learning for sustainability in early childhood education and care settings.
📅 When? May 7, 2025 - 9.30-12.30 CET
📍 Where? Join from this Webex meeting link
Guest experts?
- Eva Ärlemalm-Hagsér, Professor in Early Childhood Education, Mälardalen University, Sweden.
- Jenni Vartiainen, Ph.D., University of Helsinki, Finland.
- Stéphanie Tavares, Manager, Naturcrèche Dippach, Luxembourg.
The webinar will shed light on the following key questions, including:
- What do research findings tell us about learning for sustainability in the early years?
- How sustainability has been embedded in national educational guidelines and curricula in the Member States?
- How can pedagogues work on sustainability in the different kinds of early childhood education and care settings?
- What good practices on learning for sustainability can be used in early childhood education and care settings?
- Country examples from Finland and Luxembourg.
Discover the EUIPO Virtual School Visit (VSV) – Now Tailored for European Hours!
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has enhanced its ‘Virtual School Visit’ (VSV) programme. The Virtual School Visit programme is pertinent to the strategic EUIPO priority impact area “Awareness and Education” and is an exciting learning experience for young people.
The Office invites school classes to sign up for an interesting, fun and interactive virtual learning journey, available in the five working languages of the Office (EN, ES, FR, DE, IT), about the European Union, the importance of Intellectual Property to the society and the EUIPO main activities.
The programme is structured into three parts and uses gamification and tailored materials to make the learning process more fun and beneficial for students, typically aged 12-18 years old.
The content of the visit aims to help young learners understand the importance of Intellectual Property and the opportunities the European Union provides, preparing them for their future careers and broadening their horizons.
In 2024, the VSV programme and related content were revamped to cater specifically to Year 5 students in the primary cycle, aged 10-11. This updated version is aimed to be integrated into the European Schools’ curriculum, delivered as part of European Hours, which are conducted in students´ second language.
This initiative expands the reach of the EUIPO, making its content available to the 37 official and accredited European Schools, while providing material to schools in demand for content.
How does it work?
The session lasts 1 hour, divided into:
- 15 min – Welcome and EU overview
- 45 min – IP-focused content with interactive games
Schools can use the remaining 30 minutes of their European Hours slot for feedback, Q&A or additional follow-up activities.
European School Education Platform Professional Development Opportunities
Upcoming courses:
· Self-paced course: Using debate to build critical thinking and communication skills, no expiration date
· Engage families to build a strong classroom reading culture, 14.04.2025
Upcoming online tutorials:
· Playful learning for reading: a child-centred approach in the classroom, 14.04.2025
Upcoming webinars:
· Reading fluency and comprehension: key insights and approaches for teachers, 25.04.2025
· Webinar series: Empowering struggling readers, 05.05.2025 and 08.05.2025
Webinar recordings:
Webinar: Intellectual Property Masterclass for EIT
Join EUIPO's for a dynamic and interactive online training session in collaboration with EIT, as part of the Girls Go Circular iniciative. Learn how to protect innovation and creativity in the digital age, with a special focus on gaming, music, fashion, and more.
On 25 April 2025, on the occasion of World IP Day 2025, the EUIPO’s IP Next-GEN initiative and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – EIT RawMaterials, will organise a joint IP masterclass for secondary school students and teachers who are part of the Girls Go Circular initiative. The masterclass will provide participants with knowledge and tips on how their creativity and innovation could be protected through IP rights. A special focus will be set on music, gaming and fashion in light of the World IP Day 2025 motto “IP and music: Feel the beat of IP”. This will be the first IP Masterclass organised in the framework of the IP Next-GEN initiative under the EUIPO’s 2030 Strategic Plan which aims at equipping young people with IP skills given that they are key skills for future competitiveness. Interested participants will receive a certificate upon completion.
📅 When? April 25, 2025 - 10:00-11:30 (CET)
📍 Where? Online
In this session, they'll dive into:
- Intellectual property rights for young creatives
- Short introduction to IP (including trade marks, designs, copyright, patents)
- Protecting creativity and innovation in gaming, fashion, and music
- Practical tips for young creators
- Why respecting IP is important
Webinar: HistoriCall. A New Way to Teach European History.
Ahead of Europe Day on 9th May, join us for an engaging webinar about HistoriCall. A New Way to Teach European History.
The House of European History invites educators and history enthusiasts to a special webinar introducing HistoriCall (their Digital Toolbox): free digital resources based on recommendations and real needs expressed during a survey of 1000 teachers across Europe. Teachers stated that they want engaging, accessible, and age-appropriate learning tools about European History – in particular audio-visual materials and content on the history of the European Union.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect past and present in the classroom – with tools that empower students to reflect critically and creatively on European history.📅 When? April 28, 2025 - 16:00-18:30
🌍 Languages? English & French (if participant numbers allow – otherwise the session will be held in English)
📍 Where? Online
Created by the museum educators together with a multidisciplinary team, HistoriCall was tested throughout 2024 with over 100 teachers and 2000 learners, to ensure the materials are age-appropriate and engaging for secondary school students. Thanks to teacher and student feedback, the testing phase provided final improvements to the content. They now encourage teachers to access HistoriCall - which is available online, for free, in the 24 languages of the EU - and use it in their classrooms.
With multi-perspectivity at its core, the pedagogical approach of HistoriCall creates personal and meaningful links to historical figures and events through the “visible thinking” method. For instance, one of the modules invites students to discover the reimagined social media accounts of the men and women who stood at the beginnings of European integration. Students explore the early days of European integration through the personal lens of its founders and through a simple set of questions to develop critical thinking skills. This approach not only conveys historical knowledge, but also helps understanding about why it is still relevant today for each learner.
- About the House of European History.
- About the House of European History Learning Offer.
- About the “visible thinking” method: Developed by researchers from Harvard University’s “Project Zero” together with teachers and students.
European School Education Platform Professional Development Opportunities
Upcoming courses:
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Empowering teachers and students through self-regulated learning
Discovering self-regulated learning as the evidence-based way to increasing student outcomes and motivation.
What if the secret to improving student learning isn’t about doing more, but doing things differently?
Students spend more than 10,000 hours in school, yet many struggle with knowing how to learn effectively. Teachers, of course, already support their students in countless ways. But when another international report drops with news of declining student performance, it’s hard not to feel the weight of it.
But what if there’s a proven solution that’s been hiding in plain sight?
Enter self-regulated learning (SRL)—a concept that’s backed by over 40 years of research but still underutilized in classrooms. And the best part? Boosting your students’ academic performance and motivation might not require big, time-consuming interventions after all.
📅 When? March 17, 2025
📍 Where? Online
This course builds upon the success of the 2022 course “Teaching Life Competences 1 – Shaping Lifelong Learners through Self-Regulated Learning”.
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Strengthening literacy with eTwinning
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, students need strong literacy skills to tackle future challenges. Literacy goes beyond reading and writing— it encompasses the ability to critically engage with diverse texts, communicate effectively across different modes, and navigate an increasingly digital world.
📅 When? March 31, 2025
📍 Where? Online
This course provides educators with practical strategies to integrate reading, writing, speaking, and digital literacy into eTwinning projects. You will examine the concept of literacy from multiple perspectives and explore how eTwinning projects can be a powerful tool to develop students’ literacy skills. Additionally, you will gain strategies for integrating digital tools to support literacy development, while engaging in project-based learning that enhances student engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking. Through hands-on activities, real eTwinning examples, and interactive tools, you will learn how to create collaborative international projects on literacy that foster meaningful learning experiences.
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Supporting children’s numeracy: the role of the home learning environment
Children acquire many academically and non-academically relevant skills within the framework of the home learning environment, which is why this context plays a crucial role in the early and later development of children's competencies, including in the field of mathematics.
📅 When? March 31, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Therefore, teachers and educators should be aware of how parents can effectively support their children's mathematical learning and how they can collaborate successfully in this context. This includes topics such as the interaction between home and school, learning difficulties in mathematics, the usage of learning apps, and the homework situation.
This course on children's mathematical learning in the home learning environment not only provides a comprehensive overview of important and relevant aspects of the early and later home mathematics environment children experience, but also offers concrete ideas for fostering a successful partnership between professionals and parents to support children’s learning.
Upcoming webinars:
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European Commission webinar: Engaging maths education through games, technology and interdisciplinary learning
How can we make mathematics more engaging and accessible for students? The M@THGAN project re-imagined math education by integrating games, technology, and real-world connections to create interactive and enjoyable learning experiences.
📅 When? March 24, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Iohana Cristina Udrescu is a dedicated educator and project coordinator, passionate about transforming mathematics education through innovative methods. As Project Manager of Asociația Edulifelong, she has led multiple Erasmus+ projects focusing on integrating technology, game-based learning, and interdisciplinary approaches into teaching. With almost 20 years of experience in mathematics education and 10 years in teacher training, she has mastered the skill of designing engaging learning environments that foster problem-solving and creativity. She is an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, a Scientix Ambassador, and an advocate for sustainable and interdisciplinary education. Iohana collaborates with international organisations to develop hands-on learning experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that mathematics becomes an exciting and relevant subject for students.
This webinar will introduce practical strategies and resources, including the developed Game, a collection of Classroom Activities, and an online MOOC for teachers. In the webinar, innovative approaches that help students develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and a deeper appreciation for mathematics, will be shared.
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European Commission webinar: Introducing numeracy in ECEC with STEAM songs and storytelling
Join us for an engaging webinar where we explore how storytelling, songs, and nursery rhymes can be powerful STEAM (STEM & the Arts) activities to enhance early numeracy in ECEC. Discover creative, play-based strategies that integrate rhythm, patterns, sequencing, and problem-solving to foster mathematical thinking in young children, making learning both meaningful and fun.
📅 When? March 27, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Paula Walshe is an experienced lecturer, researcher and published author in the field of Early Childhood Education. She is currently lecturing at South East Technological University in Carlow, Ireland while also completing her PhD research on STEAM in Early Childhood Education at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Paula has recently published two books based on areas of ECEC practice: "Full STEAM Ahead - Science, Technology, Engineering, ehe Arts and Maths in Early Childhood Education" and "Síolta in Practice" a book on implementing quality standards in ECEC. Both books are available from www.borupress.ie
In this webinar we will explore how storytelling, songs, and nursery rhymes can serve as powerful STEAM (STEM & the Arts) activities to support early numeracy in ECEC. Through rhythm, patterns, sequencing, and problem-solving, these creative, play-based approaches help young children develop mathematical thinking in an engaging and meaningful way. Gain practical insights and ideas to enrich early learning! We will also discuss how these activities foster language development and social-emotional skills, creating a holistic learning experience. Join us to discover fun, research-based strategies that make numeracy accessible and enjoyable for young learners!
Webinar recordings:
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The Socratic method in schools: Midwife, sometimes gadfly
This webinar will explain its core elements and how they may be adapted to scaffold group discussions. In its myriad adaptations to different contexts, we will see that often it is more appropriate to speak of Socratic methods.
📅 When? ENDED February 26, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Erick Wilberding completed a Ph.D. in the History of Art at New York University. For nearly 30 years, he has taught at Marymount International School in Rome, where he is the head of the Philosophy and Theory of Knowledge Department. He has published Teach like Socrates (Routledge, 2014) and Socratic Methods (Routledge, 2019). In 2021 he wrote the TED-Ed animation about the Socratic Method. This tool will help improve your critical thinking, which has over 6.5 million views. He is greatly convinced of the value of making thinking visible through dialogic teaching.
The Socratic Method is one of the most versatile tools for teachers in the classroom, moving the crucial activities of analysis and judgment to the students. This webinar will explain its core elements and how they may be adapted to scaffold group discussions. In its myriad adaptations to different contexts, we will see that often it is more appropriate to speak of Socratic methods.
European School Education Platform Professional Development Opportunities
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Nurturing thoughtful minds with collaboration and eTwinning
In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, fostering critical thinking is essential for preparing students to navigate complex challenges and make responsible decisions. This course focuses on how collaboration and group work can serve as powerful tools for developing critical thinking skills while nurturing citizenship, aligning with this year’s eTwinning theme.
📅 When? February 24, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Our journey begins with a shift in mindset, encouraging educators to adopt a growth mindset and an innovator’s mindset—key attitudes for creating a classroom culture where critical thinking thrives. Anchored in the 6C’s of 21st Century Learning, this session emphasises Critical Thinking and Citizenship, exploring how these interconnected competencies help students become thoughtful, engaged global citizens.
Participants will gain practical insights and hands-on experience with tools and strategies for designing collaborative activities that enhance critical thinking. The course will introduce a variety of digital tools, including innovative examples of leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to promote critical thinking in the classroom. Additionally, we will highlight how eTwinning projects provide a dynamic platform for fostering these skills through cross-border collaboration.
The aim of the course is to equip educators with the mindset, tools, and methods to make critical thinking and citizenship the core of teaching. Together, we will empower students to think critically, act responsibly, and thrive in an interconnected world.
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Enhance numeracy skills with eTwinning projects
The primary aim of this course is to equip you with the skills and confidence to design eTwinning projects that revolutionise the way mathematics is taught and learned. By fostering innovation and collaboration, these projects will make mathematics more engaging and accessible, promoting the development of essential numeracy skills among students.
📅 When? March 3, 2025
📍 Where? Online
The course is structured to guide you through a logical progression of concepts, beginning with foundational topics and gradually advancing to more complex ideas. Each module builds upon the last, ensuring a cohesive learning journey. The final module focuses on integrating various mathematical disciplines through the planning and execution of eTwinning projects, providing you with hands-on experience in designing impactful, interdisciplinary initiatives.
By the end of the course, you will not only gain fresh inspiration for teaching approaches but also develop a broader perspective on the real-world applications of mathematics, preparing your students for future success in a rapidly evolving, globalised world.
Upcoming webinars:
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The Socratic method in schools: Midwife, sometimes gadfly
This webinar will explain its core elements and how they may be adapted to scaffold group discussions. In its myriad adaptations to different contexts, we will see that often it is more appropriate to speak of Socratic methods.
📅 When? February 26, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Erick Wilberding completed a Ph.D. in the History of Art at New York University. For nearly 30 years, he has taught at Marymount International School in Rome, where he is the head of the Philosophy and Theory of Knowledge Department. He has published Teach like Socrates (Routledge, 2014) and Socratic Methods (Routledge, 2019). In 2021 he wrote the TED-Ed animation about the Socratic Method. This tool will help improve your critical thinking, which has over 6.5 million views. He is greatly convinced of the value of making thinking visible through dialogic teaching.
The Socratic Method is one of the most versatile tools for teachers in the classroom, moving the crucial activities of analysis and judgment to the students. This webinar will explain its core elements and how they may be adapted to scaffold group discussions. In its myriad adaptations to different contexts, we will see that often it is more appropriate to speak of Socratic methods.
Webinar recordings:
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Supporting critical thinking with technology in the classroom
Can technology really help students think critically, or does it depend on how teachers use it? This webinar explores what teachers can do to support critical thinking in technology-enhanced learning environments and the challenges they might face.
Kairit Tammets will share practical examples and easy-to-use strategies for designing lessons that foster engagement and critical thinking. By the end of the webinar, you will have useful tips to help your students ask questions, think more deeply, and discuss ideas thoughtfully.
📅 When? ENDED February 17, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Kairit Tammets is a Professor of Technology-Enhanced Learning at Tallinn University whose research focuses on teacher professional learning in technology-enhanced learning environments. With extensive experience in designing and implementing professional development programs, Kairit Tammets specializes in fostering social learning practices to promote the adoption of innovative teaching methods. As the Scientific Coordinator of the EU-funded EffecTive project, Kairit leads innovative research into how carefully designed training programs can enhance teachers' situation-specific skills and pedagogical digital competence. Her work emphasizes the importance of scaffolding, reflection, and the situated nature of professional learning in professional learning settings. In addition to collaborating with schools and policymakers to shape sustainable professional learning models, Kairit is an experienced teacher trainer, guiding teachers, researchers, and trainers to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Kairit holds a PhD in Educational Science with a focus on technology-enhanced learning and has contributed to several European projects, publications, and conferences in the fields of education and technology.
Webinar: Exploring "My House of European History"
Join us for an engaging webinar about My House of European History (MyHEH):
Hundreds of stories, documents, photos and videos published by people from all over Europe – this is My House of European History [external link], a collaborative project of the European Parliament, where history and the lives of European citizens coincide. It is a platform where citizens from all over Europe can share their personal memories and experiences through photographs, videos, audio files or documents. The aim is to create a unique, virtual collection of individual stories - from and for - Europe.
This webinar will present the My House of European History website, where you can browse through a collection of stories and testimonies by time frame, topic, contributor and location. And – since the stories are available in any of the 24 official EU languages – you can also search for them in your preferred language. We will show how you can contribute and submit a story. And there will also be a Q&A session and interactive discussions.
📅 When? May 6, 2025 - 16:00 (CET)
📍 Where? Online
Webinar: Shaping AI as a Public Good in Education
During this session, we will deep dive on the topic of explainable AI. Join us in an engaging and interactive session tackling the topics of:
- Why does explainable AI (XAI) matter in education?
- Dubai Declaration on Open Educational Resources and what it means for the future of digital learning.
- Meta’s approach to open-source AI models, through a Llama case study.
📅 When? February 24, 2025 - 11:00 - 12:00 (CET)
📍 Where? Online - on the Knowledge Building Channel
Guest expert?
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Francisco Javier Bellas Bouza (University of A Coruña)
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Zeynep Varoglu (UNESCO)
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Matthew Sanders (Meta)
More information with a link to the meeting will be sent to all participants once registered.
For questions, you can always contact edeh-support@stifterverband.de