INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TOWARDS DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY

Technological advances of recent years leave no doubts on whether digital skills are of high importance. Digital competences have become crucial in today’s economic and social life. It is educational institutions’ responsibility to promote digital literacy enhancement and technology-related improvements to school systems. There is high demand for practical solutions on how to provide both teachers and students with effective tools for developing their digital competences, and how to bridge their knowledge with action. At the same time, while aiming at providing their students with the necessary education in the field of technology, many educational institutions face lack of methods, tools and schemes for doing so. At European level, there can be observed considerable differences in the advancement of introducing technological education to school curricula. International cooperation in search for innovative solutions is very promising. This paper presents the outcomes of the cooperation of European institutions from Poland, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Denmark and The Netherlands under four international Erasmus+ projects to create innovative teaching aid databases and tools addressed at two main target groups, primary school teachers and students. The multidimensionality of the implemented projects, ranging from the introduction of elements of teaching programming and Artificial Intelligence education to school curricula, to practical examples of the use of newest technologies for environmental and entrepreneurial education in primary schools, allows for effective personalisation of the educational process in the digital era. The cooperation of diverse institutions serves as an example of joint attempts towards digital transformation of educational programmes and constitutes the basis for educational digital ecosystems creation in the future, fostering the idea of connectivity and providing best practice exchange through equal access to educational resources.

Bogusława Denys
Zamojskie Towarzystwo Oświatowe, Zamość, Poland
Poland

Experienced ESL teacher at I Społeczne Liceum Ogólnokształcące and I Społeczna Szkoła Podstawowa im. Unii Europejskiej in Zamość, Poland (primary and secondary levels). Member of the Management Board of Zamojskie Towarzystwo Oświatowe, Zamość, Poland, an association running non-public primary and secondary schools. Graduate of The Institute of English Studies of the University of Warsaw, Poland. Interested in international cooperation and educational innovations. Author and coordinator of numerous Erasmus+ projects related to environmental studies, technological advancements, innovative teaching methodologies and personalised education. Co-author of teaching aid databases created under Erasmus+ projects in cooperation with European educational institutions. Strongly believes that ‘Education is power’.

Bogusław Klimczuk
Zamojskie Towarzystwo Oświatowe, Zamość, Poland
Poland

The PhD in Economic Sciences, scholarship holder at Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Germany), postgraduate studies Mini Global MBA, coordinator of projects under LLL, Leonardo da Vinci, EQUAL, POKL. Head Teacher at I Społeczne Liceum Ogólnokształcące and I Społeczna Szkoła Podstawowa in Zamość, Poland (secondary and primary schools). Author and coordinator of numerous international projects under Erasmus+ programme and EU Solidarity Fund. Privately interested in travelling and history.

Potrebno predznanje: There are no specific requirements considering the participants’ prior knowledge. Anyone interested in the idea of international cooperation of educational institutions towards digital transformation, best practice exchange and openness to new educational ideas is welcome to attend the paper presentation.