{"id":3654,"date":"2025-05-19T10:21:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T07:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/?page_id=3654"},"modified":"2026-02-16T14:09:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:09:07","slug":"etwinning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/studies\/erasmus-programme\/etwinning\/","title":{"rendered":"etwinning"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>1. eTwinning in Higher Education (eTwinning ITE) &amp; in the Department of Special Education (SED)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Since 2021, the\u00a0<strong>Department of Special Education (DSE)<\/strong>\u00a0of the\u00a0<strong>University of Thessaly<\/strong>\u00a0has actively participated in the implementation of international\u00a0<strong>eTwinning<\/strong>\u00a0projects through ICT tools, via the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\">European School Education Platform \u2013 ESEP<\/a>, following the signing of a\u00a0<strong>Memorandum of Understanding<\/strong>\u00a0between\u00a0<strong>Mrs. Sofia Goria<\/strong>, Laboratory Teaching Staff (E.DI.P.) at the DSE, and the\u00a0<strong>National Support Organization (NSO)<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0<strong>eTwinning for Initial Teacher Education (eTwinning ITE)<\/strong>.\u00a0 As part of this collaboration, the following courses in the DSE curriculum include eTwinning-related modules:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Preschool Te<\/em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4474 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/0_4510944521-300x187.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/0_4510944521-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/0_4510944521-371x232.jpg 371w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/0_4510944521-284x178.jpg 284w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/0_4510944521-320x200.jpg 320w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/0_4510944521-296x185.jpg 296w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/0_4510944521.jpg 382w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><em>acher Training Practicum I<\/em>\u00a0(5th semester)<\/li>\n<li><em>Preschool Teacher Training Practicum II<\/em>\u00a0(6th semester)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These modules include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Introduction to eTwinning<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Familiarization of students with eTwinning &amp; eTwinning in Higher Education (eTwinning ITE)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Student information and registration on the European School Education Platform \u2013 ESEP<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, international projects have been designed, approved by the NSO, and implemented between DSE faculty and academics from other European universities, as well as between students. Small-scale eTwinning projects are also conducted with local schools where students carry out their\u00a0<strong>School Placement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>eTwinning in Initial Teacher Education offers participants a\u00a0<strong>European, international, and intercultural experience<\/strong>. It significantly contributes to the\u00a0<strong>internationalization<\/strong>\u00a0of the institution and the department, while strengthening transnational collaboration. For students, eTwinning promotes international cooperation and community-based practices, supporting\u00a0<strong>professionalism<\/strong>\u00a0and enhancing their\u00a0<strong>readiness to teach<\/strong>. For university faculty, it offers an\u00a0<strong>innovative teaching approach<\/strong>, revitalizing instructional methods in higher education.<\/p>\n<p>\u2139\ufe0f Learn more about\u00a0<em>What is the ITE eTwinning Action (Initial Teacher Education)<\/em>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.etwinning.gr\/ite\">https:\/\/www.etwinning.gr\/ite<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcfd\ufe0f Watch the video about the eTwinning ITE action:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/PIUl7zjs6IE\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/PIUl7zjs6IE<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Projects<\/strong><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Projects designed and implemented by the Department of Special Education (DSE) \u2013 University of Thessaly, founded by Mrs. Sofia Goria, Laboratory Teaching Staff (E.DI.P.):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>2023\u20132024:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\/etwinning\/projects\/enhance-self-regulation-skills-early-years\">Enhance self-regulation skills in early years (Greece\u2013Italy cooperation)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>2024\u20132025:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\/etwinning\/projects\/enhance-self-regulation-skills-early-years-design-teaching-material-and-activities\">Enhance self-regulation skills in early years. Design teaching material and activities (Greece\u2013Portugal\u2013Spain cooperation)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Projects co-founded and implemented by the DSE \u2013 University of Thessaly, with Mrs. Sofia Goria, Special Teaching Staff (E.DI.P.):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>2021:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\/etwinning\/projects\/working-together-disinformation-and-media-literacy\">Working together on Disinformation and Media Literacy<\/a> (Greece &#8211; Italy)<\/li>\n<li><strong>2024\u20132025:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\/etwinning\/projects\/reapses-method-legends-and-characters-metodo-reapses-leyendas-y-protagonistas-1\"><em>REAPSES METHOD LEGENDS AND CHARACTERS \/ METODO REAPSES LEYENDAS Y PROTAGONISTAS<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(Spain\u2013Italy\u2013Greece cooperation)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>International projects with Students Placement during their practicum (Preschool Education):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2024-2025: <a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\/etwinning\/projects\/footsteps-knowledge-exploring-world-through-etwinningrevised-edition\">In the Footsteps of Knowledge: Exploring the World Through eTwinning (revised edition)<\/a> (Project founded by Anna Pavlaki, DSE student, with partner schools from Greece Spain and Estonia)<\/li>\n<li>2024-2025: <a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\/etwinning\/projects\/wrap-me\">Wrap me&#8230;<\/a>\u00a0 (Project with kindergartens from Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Romania)<\/li>\n<li>2025\u20132026: Green Roots, Blue Drops #skillsforlife (Partner countries: Greece, Croatia, Spain)<\/li>\n<li>2025\u20132026: A Character for Each City: Exploring Artistic and Cultural Contexts through Multilingual and Multimodal Learning (Partner countries: Greece, Italy, Spain)<\/li>\n<li>2025\u20132026: Preschool Storytellers (Partner countries: Greece, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>3 Awards<\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\" wp-image-4476 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/9_5941062266-300x112.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"421\" height=\"157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/9_5941062266-300x112.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/9_5941062266.jpg 542w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 421px) 100vw, 421px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>3.1 University of Thessaly \u2013 Department of Special Education joins the eTwinning STEM 5.0 Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Department of Special Education (DSE)<\/strong> of the <strong>University of Thessaly<\/strong> has been selected to participate in the national <a href=\"https:\/\/etwinning.gr\/news\/stem\/1536-stem-5-etwinning-100-5\"><strong>eTwinning STEM 5.0<\/strong><\/a> initiative, as <a href=\"https:\/\/etwinning.gr\/news\/stem\/1569-etwinning-stem-5-0\">officially announced<\/a> by the National Support Organization on January 24, 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The eTwinning STEM 5.0 action focuses on developing innovative, problem-solving projects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), highlighting the academic and professional benefits of engaging university students in these fields.<\/p>\n<p>Among 12 applications submitted by Higher Education Institutions across Greece, the Department of Special Education was ranked among the top five with the highest evaluation scores. As part of its participation, the department will receive <strong>10 educational robotics kits<\/strong> to be integrated into the initial teacher education curriculum, enhancing students&#8217; digital and STEM skills.<\/p>\n<p>This achievement builds on the Department\u2019s ongoing involvement in the eTwinning community since the 2021\u20132022 academic year, demonstrating its continued commitment to innovative educational practices and the integration of contemporary digital tools and pedagogical approaches.<\/p>\n<p>Through this distinction, the University of Thessaly reaffirms its dedication to educational excellence and innovation, and to connecting academic learning with current developments in STEM education.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.2. Award of the National Quality Label for Higher Education Institutions 2025<\/strong><strong> (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/etwinning.gr\/ite-news\/1659-etwinning-ite-2025\">National eTwinning ITE Label 2025<\/a><strong>)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4457 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/1_4272466256-300x212.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/1_4272466256-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/1_4272466256.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The National eTwinning ITE Label 2025 recognises the sustained commitment of the Department of Special Education to the systematic integration of eTwinning into the preparation and professional development of future teachers. The distinction acknowledges the work successfully implemented in collaboration with our students in the areas of <strong>\u201cIntegration of eTwinning into the Curriculum\u201d<\/strong> and <strong>\u201cImplementation of an eTwinning Project.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>3.3. 1<sup>st<\/sup> Prize in the Special Category:University Department in the field of Education participating in eTwinning in Initial Teacher Education (eTwinning ITE), awarded at the 20th National eTwinning Awards (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etwinning.gr\/awards\/nawards\/1665-20-etwinning-2\">https:\/\/www.etwinning.gr\/awards\/nawards\/1665-20-etwinning-2<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"wp-image-4459 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/2_7508542860-300x218.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"365\" height=\"265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/2_7508542860-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/2_7508542860.png 342w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 365px) 100vw, 365px\" \/>\u00a0 \u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"wp-image-4461 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/3_3642946266.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"264\" \/>\u00a0 \u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"wp-image-4463 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/4_8827644770-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"192\" height=\"256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/4_8827644770-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/4_8827644770.jpg 287w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"wp-image-4466 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/5_6932967034-300x135.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"435\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/5_6932967034-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/5_6932967034.jpg 710w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Within the framework of the official award ceremony (available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YsYl19Vo0bw&amp;t=12594s&amp;pp=ygUOZXR3aW5uaW5nIDIwMjU%3D\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YsYl19Vo0bw&amp;t=12594s&amp;pp=ygUOZXR3aW5uaW5nIDIwMjU%3D<\/a>), the Department formally received the First Prize distinction. In addition, commemorative gifts for the participating students, as well as electronic equipment (tablets), were granted to the Department in recognition of its contribution to eTwinning in Initial Teacher Education.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Video presentation of the awarded initiatives:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/pbMT8o_NMfE\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/pbMT8o_NMfE<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>4. Publications<\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Invited contribution to the European publication\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/school-education.ec.europa.eu\/en\/etwinning\/group\/etwinning-future-teachers-teacher-educators-group\/materials\/files\/1052850\">\u201ceTwinning for Future Teachers: Ideas for Integrating eTwinning in Initial Teacher Education\u201d<\/a> (p. 52).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4468 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/6_7881338894-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/6_7881338894-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/6_7881338894.jpg 302w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This contribution aimed to present the pedagogical approaches adopted, as well as the activities designed and implemented, in our effort to integrate eTwinning, educational innovation, and European collaboration into the practicum course for pre-service preschool teachers within the Department.<\/p>\n<p>Through this publication, we shared evidence-informed practices intended to inspire fellow teacher educators and to contribute to the development of an innovative European guide expected to have a meaningful impact on both in-service and prospective teachers across 46 countries.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Other Activities<\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p>(Participation in conferences, professional development activities, partner-finding events, and dissemination of best practices)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\"wp-image-4480 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/7_9334522159-300x130.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"492\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/7_9334522159-300x130.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/7_9334522159-400x174.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/7_9334522159.jpg 402w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>5.1 Participation in and Organisation of a Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Active participation in and organisation of a workshop at the European eTwinning ITE Conference 2025, entitled: \u201cAdvancing Basic Skills and Innovation through eTwinning for Future Teachers,\u201d held in Milan, Italy, from 27 to 29 November 2025<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"etwinning\" class=\" wp-image-4470 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/8_2110977091-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"431\" height=\"243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/8_2110977091-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/page\/8_2110977091.jpg 634w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 431px) 100vw, 431px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. eTwinning in Higher Education (eTwinning ITE) &amp; in the Department of Special Education (SED) Since 2021, the\u00a0Department of Special Education (DSE)\u00a0of the\u00a0University of Thessaly\u00a0has actively participated in the implementation of international\u00a0eTwinning\u00a0projects through ICT tools, via the\u00a0European School Education Platform \u2013 ESEP, following the signing of a\u00a0Memorandum of Understanding\u00a0between\u00a0Mrs. Sofia Goria, Laboratory Teaching Staff (E.DI.P.) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":3704,"parent":2678,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3654","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/149"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3654"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4482,"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3654\/revisions\/4482"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2678"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sed.uth.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}