Connecting Students through eTwinning Plus

Azerbaijan has become part of the eTwinning Plus project since January 2013, funded by the European Commission. The initiative is implemented and coordinated by Madad Azerbaijan in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The project aims to promote collaboration among the secondary schools in Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia with their counterparts in 33 European countries through joint educational projects using a unique online platform.

Within the first year, 40 most active, innovative and technically-savvy English, French and German language teachers from Azerbaijan's 20 schools will join the pilot project. By registering on the eTwinning Plus platform, the participant teachers will be able to cooperate with their European colleagues and implement the educational projects that will bring students from different schools together in a single virtual classroom to exchange ideas and experience. Each project will enroll the students and teachers from at least two European countries, thus the students will be familiarized with the educational systems, culture and traditions of each other.

eTwinning project is quite popular among European teachers and this is why. According to teacher respondents for final report of European Commission "Study of eTwinning on participating pupils, teachers and schools" the main advantages of in the eTwinning project are "increased friendships and feeling part of an international community." The collaboration opportunities, efficient use of ICT and pedagogical innovations, contacts with other professionals, and access to the insights of professional, social and cultural life in other countries are discernible elements in all projects and exchanges. Engagement in the eTwinning projects impacts on students and educators to become better trained, more motivated and more innovative which is to bring direct and indirect benefits to the whole school and the educational system. By participating in the project, the educators improve their knowledge, competences and skills and develop pedagogical skills. The students benefit from collaboration and team work, learn about other cultures and use ICT tools with confidence.