Blog entry by OSG PEDA DC TEAM
European School Education Platform Professional Development Opportunities
Upcoming courses:
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Students as designers of learning spaces
This course is back after a successful run in 2022. It invites teachers to rethink the role of learning spaces in fostering creativity, collaboration, and 21st-century skills.
📅 When? February 10, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Participants will explore methods to co-design spaces with students, applying frameworks like design thinking and leveraging innovative tools, including generative AI. Through reflective activities and a hands-on Learning Journal, participants will build practical plans to transform their classrooms into inclusive, sustainable, and flexible environments. The course emphasises collaboration, problem-solving, and the integration of European educational priorities, including diversity and digital innovation.
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Effective practices for AI and data in education
Every day, “intelligent” machines are sorting your inbox, recommending music, vacuuming your floor, or teaching you Klingon – and schools are not exempt from their influence. The “intelligence” of these machines is mostly based on data. Can such machines also help us to support our students’ learning?
📅 When? February 17, 2025
📍 Where? Online
This course builds upon the success of the 2022 course “What Can You Do with Data in Your Classroom”. In this enhanced and updated version, we aim to empower educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively and ethically integrate data and AI tools into their teaching practices.
Participants will explore how data-driven approaches and AI tools can be used in education while enhancing the ability to critically evaluate these technologies. By the end of the course, educators will have the confidence to use data and AI responsibly to support student learning and improve assessment practices.
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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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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.
📅 When? 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.
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.
The content of this webinar reflects the views only of the authors. The European Commission does not endorse any views, opinions or advice expressed by the speakers/presenters of this webinar.
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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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How volunteering transforms classrooms
Discover how volunteering enhances education by creating meaningful connections between schools, communities, and global networks. Explore strategies to integrate volunteering into classroom activities, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges while building critical skills.
📅 When? ENDED January 23, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Romina Marchesani has been an Italian high school English teacher since 1997, specialising in the integration of digital methodologies into education. Serving as an Erasmus+ Ambassador since 2022, as well as a Scientix Ambassador, she is dedicated to fostering inclusion, advancing sustainability, and promoting digital literacy. Romina actively contributes to pilot projects, research initiatives, and other European activities, facilitating meaningful, cross-cultural learning experiences for students and educators. Her professional focus is on inspiring innovation in teaching and creating impactful educational pathways.
In this webinar, discover how volunteering enhances education by building meaningful connections between schools, local communities, and global networks. Explore dynamic strategies to weave volunteering into classroom activities, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges while developing vital skills such as leadership, collaboration, and empathy. Through engaging case studies from innovative eTwinning projects, we uncover fresh approaches to project-based learning that ignite active citizenship and foster a sense of social responsibility. Learn how to develop partnerships with parents, local organisations, and community leaders to create a strong support system that amplifies educational goals. Discussions highlight how volunteering can spark creativity and inspire collaboration across disciplines, merging STEAM, civic education, and the arts. By the end, you will feel energised and equipped to design inclusive, multidisciplinary initiatives that align with curriculum standards, nurture critical thinking, and motivate students to make a lasting difference in their communities.
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Enabling children’s right to be heard in education by ensuring space, voice, audience and influence
In this webinar, Professor Laura Lundy, author of the ‘Lundy Model’ of child participation, will explore what the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires to ensure that school-aged children get opportunities to be involved meaningfully in the decisions that affect them in education, drawing on examples where policy makers, schools, teachers and students have applied the Lundy model.
📅 When? ENDED February 3, 2025
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Laura Lundy is Co-Director of the Centre for Children’s Rights and Professor of Education Law and Children’s Rights at Queen’s University, Belfast, Professor of Law at University College Cork and a barrister at law. She is co-Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Children’s Rights. Her expertise is in law and human rights with a particular focus on children’s right to participate in decision-making and education rights. Her 2007 paper in the British Educational Research Journal, “’Voice’ is not enough” is one of the most highly cited academic papers on children’s rights ever. The model of children’s participation it proposes (based on four key concepts - Space, Voice, Audience and Influence) is used extensively in scholarship and practice. The “Lundy model” has been adopted by numerous national governments, including Ireland it its national strategy and framework on child and youth participation, as well as international organisations including the European Commission, Council of Europe, World Health Organisation and UNICEF.
Professor Laura Lundy, author of the ‘Lundy Model’ of child participation, will explore what the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires to ensure that school-aged children get opportunities to be involved meaningfully in the decisions that affect them in education, drawing on examples where policy makers, schools, teachers and students have applied the Lundy model.