TESIC (Teachers of Estonia and Iceland) - Improving Skills to Face the Challenges of the 21st Century

Project facts

Project promoter:
Kadrina Secondary School
Project Number:
EE10-0016
Target groups
Schools and other institutions providing education and/or training at all levels
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€64,445
Final project cost:
€57,070
From EEA Grants:
€ 46,227
The project is carried out in:
Estonia

Description

The target group of our project are the teachers of different subjects from each school who will be working together exhanging good teaching practices in order to create partnerships that would be mutually beneficial. Our idea is to focus on the sustainable development of our school environment, integrating new technologies and teaching practices and to broaden the teachers’ horizon. They will experience what other teachers do and compare and share the new ideas, technologies, methods and teaching tools. As a result we expect to improve our learning environment and content to keep pace with the technological progress and requirements of the 21st century, at the same time keeping the local values and promote co-operation with local companies and institutions. We would also appreciate the opportunity to exchange information with the partner schools about how they are implementing the sustainable development in their schools. In the constantly changing world, teacher moblity within the frames of the project is a good way to keep up with the progress and changes in the two countries in order to implement new practices fast.

Summary of project results

The project had following goals - to establish stronger ties with the local authorities and enterprises, to study school environment, to change the schools into more environmentally-friendly institutions and to provide a bank of digital teaching materials to the teachers for further use. A list of problem areas and proposals about school environment was created. A webpage with a systematic collection of teaching materials for teachers of different subjects is available in getwapps.com/tesicproject. http://tesicproject.blogspot.com. According to the final report the links between community, local enterprises and schools have been strenghtened, teachers skills and knowledges have been improved (according to the questionnaire), new teaching methods have been tested and learned, exchange of experiences has taken place.

Summary of bilateral results

The project had impact on schools and communities. The administrations in both schools recognised the need for wider implementation of ICT in teaching. Many Icelandic and Estonian teachers have learned about new ICT tools and methods they can use in the classroom. In addition, teachers in both schools have inreased their awareness of sustainable development. Proposals for school development plans were made. A good example of impact is described in the application: synergism and enthusiasm, cooperation between teachers of different subjects, widening one's horizon getting aquainted with another school culture = more job satisfaction. The ties between partner countries have become much stronger on a personal as well as community level.