Blog entry by OSG PEDA DC TEAM
European School Education Platform Professional Development Opportunities
Upcoming courses:
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Dealing with gender-based violence online
Online gender-based violence (OGBV) refers to harmful behaviours targeting individuals (primarily women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people) based on gender, sexuality, or perceived identity in digital spaces. In recent years, OGBV has grown alarmingly, influencing students’ mental health, self-expression, and sense of safety, both online and offline.
📅 When? June 9, 2025
📍 Where? Online
This short course equips educators across Europe with the tools and knowledge to understand, prevent, and address OGBV among youth. Drawing from feminist pedagogy and an inclusive, sex-positive approach, the course focuses on training teachers to support students in navigating digital spaces with greater safety, empathy and awareness.
Through three dynamic modules, participants will explore the different forms of OGBV, including cyberbullying, image-based sexual abuse, deepfake pornography and cyber-harassment, and their impact on students. The course also examines the online manosphere and how platforms like TikTok and YouTube can sometimes reinforce harmful gender ideologies or exclusionary attitudes.
Rather than relying on fear-based or punitive strategies, the course encourages preventive education rooted in consent, emotional literacy and digital wellbeing. By the end of the course, teachers will be better equipped to identify signs of OGBV, support affected students and promote a culture of care, accountability and resilience in their learning environments.
Self-paced learning materials:
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Using debate to build critical thinking and communication skills
Debate is one of the oldest forms of teaching and learning. Its European roots lie in the educational and intellectual traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, and debate has been practiced in many other cultures as well.
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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.
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Ethical and 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.
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Nurturing thoughtful minds through 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.
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Enhance numeracy skills with eTwinning projects
Upcoming webinars:
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European Commission webinar on smartphones at school: Separating myths from evidence
This webinar offers a balanced, evidence-based look at the ongoing debate surrounding smartphone presence in schools. Drawing on recent research, we will examine both the potential benefits, and the challenges associated with smartphones in educational settings.
📅 When? June 12, 2025 - 4:00 PM
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Marijn Martens is a postdoctoral researcher at the imec research group for Media, Innovation and Communication Technologies (imec-mict-UGent). He obtained a bachelor’s degree to teach Physics and Mathematics in secondary education (Artevelde University College, 2015), a master’s degree in Communication Sciences with a specialisation in New Media and Society (Ghent University, 2017), and a doctoral degree in Communication Sciences (Ghent University, 2023). He currently coordinates the research project “Disconnect-to-Connect”, a project focusing on the impact of smartphone (dis)connection on individuals and our society as a whole. Apart from smartphone (dis)connection, his expertise lies in the societal impact of algorithms and AI.
Key topics will include—among others— digital wellbeing, time displacement, distraction, and (a loss of) concentration. By separating common assumptions from empirical findings, we will explore practical ways to address concerns without overlooking the potential value smartphones can offer.
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European Commission webinar on shaping digital habits through eTwinning projects: tools for smarter and safer learning
This webinar explores how digital tools can support students' digital literacy and safe online behaviour through eTwinning projects. Participants will discover practical strategies for using digital tools to foster collaboration and critical thinking, along with activities to promote responsible online habits.
📅 When? June 17, 2025 - 4:00 PM
📍 Where? Online
Guest expert? Aneta Wilk brings over 20 years of experience in teaching English to both children and adults. Passionate about integrating new technologies into the educational process, she has designed and delivered numerous professional development courses for teachers, utilizing various distance learning platforms. In collaboration with her students, she has successfully implemented more than 20 eTwinning projects, many of which have received National and European Quality Labels. She was a moderator of the eTwinning featured group called “Bringing eSafety into eTwinning projects” for 10 years. She remains committed to continuous professional growth and development.
The aim of the webinar is to explore how digital tools can be used to shape students' digital literacy and safe online habits through eTwinning projects.
Attendees will be introduced to practical strategies for utilising digital tools to facilitate collaboration and information exchange within the framework of eTwinning projects. Furthermore, the session will offer a range of exercises designed to foster critical thinking and enhance students’ ability to navigate the online environment safely and responsibly. A special focus will be also placed on the growing role of AI in education - how to use it effectively in the projects for generating didactic materials while also understanding its limitations.