The e Twinning project » M.I.R.O: My Incredible Rainbow of Learning» is based on close cooperation between 20 kindergarten teachers from public kindergartens in Greece, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Bulgaria. Cooperation is at the core of the program, as it allows the exchange of ideas, good practices and the joint development of educational activities.
Structure and Means of Cooperation
Teachers communicate regularly via email and Messenger, ensuring continuous interaction and coordination of actions. Every month, an online meeting is held through a platform, where participants share their experiences, evaluate the progress of the program and plan the next activities. This ongoing dialogue fosters cooperation and promotes the creation of a single and coherent learning framework.
Cooperation in the Educational Process.
The cooperation is not limited to teachers, but also extends to students, who participate in joint activities with their peers from other countries. Through the exchange of material, photos and videos of children’s creations, the sense of international community and intercultural learning is enhanced. In addition, teachers work either individually or in groups, developing activities related to Joan Miró’s art. These actions are adapted to the needs of each school, while maintaining the common theme, enhancing the coherence of the program.
Benefits of Collaboration
Continuous interaction between teachers promotes knowledge sharing and the implementation of innovative practices in teaching. Students, for their part, develop communication, collaboration, and cultural understanding skills as they discover new approaches to art and connect with their peers from different countries. Through this program, collaboration becomes key to creating an enriching educational experience that transcends geographical boundaries and enhances creative learning for both students and teachers.
Collaboration between students
An e Twinning project promotes collaboration between students, by the use of digital platforms, which co
nnect classrooms across different countries. In this way students are encouraged to work together on shared objectives.
These projects enable students to engage in cross-cultural exchanges, in a safe environment where they can share ideas, perspectives, and knowledge. By working collaboratively on projects, students develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem- solving. They learn to navigate digital tools to co-create content, conduct research, and present their findings. This collaborative process not only enhances their academic learning but also builds empathy and understanding, preparing them for a globally interconnected world. The interactive nature of the platform facilitates continuous dialogue and feedback, which is essential for effective collaboration.
Conclusions for students and teachers
The collaboration between pupils and teachers in the e Twinning project » M.I.R.O: My Incredible Rainbow of Learning» leads to important conclusions, highlighting the value of intercultural exchange and creative learning.
For students:
- Enhanced intercultural understanding: Interaction with peers from different countries strengthens the appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity, reducing stereotypes and prejudices.
- Increased self-confidence and self-esteem: The recognition and acceptance of their creations by peers from other countries boosts students” self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Playful learning: The project creates a fun and engaging learning environment, encouraging a positive attitude towards art and learning.
- Environmental awareness: The use of recycled materials in art activities promotes environmental consciousness.
For teachers:
- Building a support network: Collaboration with colleagues from other countries creates a support network where teachers can share experiences and receive assistance.
- Increased motivation and job satisfaction: Participating in a successful e Twinning project boosts teachers” enthusiasm and commitment, while the sense of belonging to an international team fosters respect.
- Creation of lasting international relationships: Teachers build long-lasting friendships and professional relationships, which can lead to future collaborations and the exchange of ideas.
- Improved language skills: Participation in an international project enhances teachers” language skills and their confidence in using foreign languages.
The “’My Incredible Rainbow of Learning” e Twinning program demonstrates that collaboration between pupils and teachers in e Twinning can be a highly effective method to promote intercultural learning, creativity, and professional development. The project appears to be a highly successful initiative that effectively promotes collaboration, intercultural understanding, and creative learning. By providing students with opportunities to engage with art and connect with their peers from different countries, the project contributes to their personal and educational development. The project also provides teachers with valuable opportunities for professional growth and the exchange of best practices.
The following table is used to organize and describe the images related to the project, providing a clear picture of the collaboration and activities that took place.
1. |
Teachers from different countries collaborate through an online platform
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2. |
Children create art inspired by Joan Miró
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3. |
Exchange of materials and artworks among students from various countries |
4. |
Group activity for children using recycled materials |
5. |
Online meeting of educators to plan activities
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6. |
Children present their creations to classmates from other countries
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7. |
Educators share good practices and innovative teaching methods, through dance, art, maths, music, steam. |
8. |
Children explore the art of Joan Miró through digital tools |
9. |
International celebration of cultural diversity through art |
10. |
Educators and students celebrate the success of the project
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This article is written by Ioanna Koufou kindergarten teacher
in 7th Kindergarten of Didymoteicho, Greece
and
Evangelia Plytaria and Foteini Tsirli, kindergarten teachers
in 7th Kindergarten of Thessaloniki, Greece