ACTIVITY 1: VIRTUAL MEETINGS
ACTIVITY 2: TEACHER TRAINING COURSE (NETHERLANDS)
We held the first activity of the 'Teacher Training Course' (35 Hours) project organized by Lidi Smart Solutions in the Netherlands between 19 - 23 September 2022. We teachers have learned a lot about four-person Web 2.0 tools. English skills for virtual classrooms, gamification, presentations and quizzes/exams.
ACTIVITY 3: DEVELOPING SPEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS THROUGH WEB 2.0 TOOLS (ANTALYA/TÜRKİYE)
1st day
On the 1st day of the mobility, students made introductory presentations about their schools/ cities /countries and participated in activities using Web 2.0 tools such as Wheeldecide and Word wall to improve their speaking skills in English.
2nd day
On the 2nd day of the mobility, we had day trip to Demre - Myra -Kekova Sunken City - St. Nicholas Church.
3rd day
On the 3rd day of the mobility, we had an interactive video lesson to improve listening comprehension using a web 2.0 tool, Edpuzzle. The students watched interactive online videos with embedded questions previously uploaded to the platform and assigned in an online classroom by the teacher. After the video lesson we had a speaking activity related to the videos we watched.
In the second lesson, students listened to a podcast about a festival and answered the comprehension questions which were used as discussion questions then on the platform, Listenwise. They also gave information about the festivals which are held in their own culture as a group work activity.
We had a formal visit to the Provincial Directorate of National Education in Antalya.
We had a cultural visit to Antalya Archeological Museum.
In the evening we had a group dinner
4th day
On the 4th day of the mobility, we took a cultural trip to Karain Cave, Termessos and Düden Waterfall with the guidance/narration of Turkish students.
5th day
On the 5th day of the mobility, students created their own speaking avatars on Voki and shared their work on Padlet. We had a lot of fun listening to their avatars.
We organized a General Knowledge Contest on the Kahoot platform about the sites visited during the mobility in Turkey.
We had our certificates.
ACTIVITY 4: ENHANCING READING AND WRITING SKILLS THROUGH WEB 2.0 TOOLS (ARCOS DE VALDEVEZ/PORTUGAL)
1st day
The fourth activity (C4) took place between May 7 and 13, 2023, in Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal, with teachers and students from the following countries: Croatia (School of Economics and Business), Portugal (Epralima – Arcos de Valdevez), and Turkey (Neriman Erol Yilmaz Sosyal Bilimler Lisesi).
The activities started on May 8, with a reception at the Town Hall of Arcos de Valdevez, where all the participants were greeted by Emilia Cerdeira, the Alderwoman responsible for Education, Youth and Sports. During the reception, Emilia spoke about the importance of New Technologies and how these can enhance language skills.
After the reception at the Town Hall, a Town Scavenger Hunt was carried out with the objective of familiarizing themselves with Arcos de Valdevez's and identify its main attractions, while enhancing reading comprehension. The students were divided into two groups and provided with a small kit that included an English map of Arcos de Valdevez and clues to help them reach each checkpoint. They were also asked to take photographs and gather information about each point, in order to have data for the activities to be carried out during the next few days.
Once the scavenger hunt was finished, all students returned to Epralima, where they were greeted by the School Director, Rui Manuel da Torre Vieto, who gave a brief summary of Epralima's history and present activity. The day ended with a visit to the Himalaya Creativity Workshop Centre.
2nd day
The following day started with the group work dedicated to "Enhancing Reading and Writing Skills through Web 2.0 Tools". Students were asked to use the information they had gathered during the scavenger hunt in the town centre and the visit to Himalayan Creativity Workshops and identify the key tourism points in Arcos de Valdevez to create their tourism companies, in addition to creating a tourism company name and logo.
While the students were working on their activities, the project coordinating teachers met to discuss
project issues and future activities. The project coordinator led the meeting and discussed activities and dates for the next stages, namely: C5, in addition to organizational issues.
We visited Mezio and Soajo ( Peneda-Geres National Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) and tried some Portuguese Specialties at the "Mezio Restaurant", located at the one of the entrances to the National Park and at the "de Arcos "O" restaurant located in Arcos de Valdevez.
3rd day
On the 3rd day, the students practiced reading and writing skills using different web 2.0 tools which they found more practical than the others such as Padlet, Duolingo and Grammerly. They continued to build up their own tourism companies in heterogeneous groups.
In the afternoon, we had a half day trip to Viana do Castelo where we had an unforgettable and exciting surf training since sports is also considered a fun way to upgrade and practice language skills, students participated in surfing class for beginners.
4th day
On the 4th day, the students presented their project results created on CANVA.
We had certificate ceremony and a group dinner together.
5th day
The short-term exchange ended Friday, with the cultural visit to Oporto and a boat trip on the Douro River of the "6 Bridges". We had the opportunity to see the iconic structures and bridges of the city. The ceramic illustrations at the Porto train station were amazing.
ACTIVITY 5 : WEB 2.0 TOOLS FOR A BETTER PRESENTATION (ĆAKOVEC, CROATIA)
Web 2.0 tools for a better presentation
The fifth activity (C5) took place between October 1 and 7, 2023, in Čakovec, Croatia, with teachers and students from the following countries: Croatia (Ekonomska i trgovačka škola), Portugal (Epralima Arcos de Valdevez), and Turkey (Neriman Erol Yilmaz Sosyal Bilimler Lisesi).
1st day
The activities started on October 2, with a reception at the hosting school, Ekonomska i trgovačka škola, where all the participants were greeted by Dunja Siročić, the school's project team leader. The school's choir welcomed the guests with a few songs and local students showed the group around the school and the school's garden.
Following the warm reception at Ekonomska i trgovačka škola, the participants dove into an engaging workshop focused on enhancing their presentation skills using Web 2.0 tools (Prezi). The topic, "Let me tell you about myself," allowed them to explore creative ways of self-expression. After the workshop, each team presented their creations, showcasing their newfound skills and cultural perspectives.
In the afternoon, the group embarked on an enriching cultural exploration of Čakovec. The day's activities included a visit to the Treasury of Međimurje Museum, where participants delved into the region's rich history and heritage.
After savoring local delicacies, there was a guided tour of Čakovec, led by the hosting students. The tour provided a deeper understanding of the local culture, leaving the participants inspired and invigorated for the days ahead.
2nd day
The following day commenced with an educational visit to the Polytechnic of Međimurje in Čakovec. Participants had the opportunity to explore the state-of-the-art computer laboratory and the newly equipped scientific center, Center for Sustainable Development.
In the afternoon, the group embarked on a cultural expedition to Zagreb, the vibrant capital of Croatia. This visit offered a glimpse into the country's rich cultural and historical heritage, further enriching the participants' understanding of the region.
3rd day
Back in Čakovec, participants engaged in intensive group work sessions, refining their skills in using Web 2.0 tools (Genially, Padlet, Nearpod). The morning was dedicated to classroom immersion, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. Afterwards, the teams did a research into the tourist offerings of the Međimurje region, crafting innovative presentations that highlighted the area's unique attractions and experiences.
In the afternoon, the group visited Mađerka hill and Gornje Međimurje, immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the region. This outing provided a refreshing break and served as a source of inspiration for the upcoming activities.
4th day
A full-day cultural excursion took participants to Rijeka and Opatija, coastal gems that further enriched their cultural experiences. Exploring these picturesque locations allowed the participants to appreciate Croatia's diverse landscapes and heritage.
5thday
The final day of the project was marked by focused group work sessions using the tools Quizizz and Jamboard. Participants delved into the creation of quizzes using Web 2.0 tools, showcasing their mastery of the digital medium and using the experiences gathered throughout the week to think of interesting questions. These quizzes were evaluated, and prizes were awarded, acknowledging the participants' creativity and dedication.
Following the quizzes, the groups collaborated on an online impressions board, capturing their collective experiences and reflections throughout the project. This digital collage serves as a testament to the friendships formed and the knowledge shared during the mobility.
After that, the participants filled in the evaluation form and received certificates acknowledging their active participation and valuable contributions.
The programme was concluded with a farewell dinner at the Stari grad restaurant, where laughter and memories were shared, cementing the bonds created during this enriching intercultural experience.
In summary, the activities from October 2 to 7, 2023, were characterized by dynamic workshops, insightful cultural visits, collaborative group work sessions, and the innovative use of Web 2.0 tools to enhance English language learning. The project successfully achieved its goals, leaving a lasting impact on all those involved, enriching not just their intercultural experiences but also their language skills, making it a truly transformative and educational endeavor.