EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - European Schoolnet Validation Network

European Schoolnet Validation Network

Introduction

European Schoolnet is an international partnership of more than 26 European Ministries of Education that provides insight into educational use of ICT in Europe for policy-makers and education professionals.

Problem

Given the large and ever-increasing numbers of computer-based learning projects, initiatives and products around, how can a need for coordination and validation be solved?

Description

The objectives of the project are to provide a framework for validating and demonstrating products and services arising from projects within the European Commission's IST projects for education. European Schoolnet provides insight into educational use of ICT in Europe for policy-makers and education professionals. This is achieved through communication and information exchange throughout school education using innovative technologies, and by acting as a gateway to national and regional school networks. The activities are determined by the needs of constituent members in collaboration with the European Commission and technology/business partners.

Approach

E-learning is an effective European Schoolnet offering European added value in a networked world. E-learning serves schools and other communities in education by:

running a leading European education portal for teaching, learning, collaboration, and innovation to create a vibrant European community of educators and learners;
providing information on policy, strategy and school practice for policy-makers and ICT advisors;
fostering technical innovation, and interoperability through common standards to enable closer collaboration between European educational systems and improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness;
through eSchoolnet, the portal offers teachers outstanding resources, discussions, news, classroom activities, collaborative tools, practice examples and training opportunities;
teachers can also benefit from European Schoolnet´s numerous pan-European communities and networks.

Results

European Schoolnet (EUN) has been chosen by DG Education and Culture of the European Commission to operate the Central Support Service (CSS) for the new eTwinning action, part of the eLearning programme. The objective of this initiative is to develop and reinforce networking and learning among schools, to nurture a multilingual and multicultural society.
In March 2003, more than 5 000 schools organised an activity or event for Spring Day in Europe. The idea behind the project came from some members of the European Convention.
There are currently many initiatives where ePortfolios have been implemented at school and university level. There are some promising initiatives in Europe; ePortfolios are being used for teacher education in a number of European countries.

Contact info

Ministry of Education and Science, Sweden
Ulf Lundin, tel. +32 27907575

Project start date

01/04/2001

Links

European Schoolnet My Europe - Linking and Learning Europe Comenius Space School Managers Centre eSchola

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Keywords

Education, Quality of life