Deputy Head, St Luke's School

I am the Deputy Head of a large secondary Special School in Hertfordhire and a fervent advocate of the benefits of ICT in helping teachers teach and pupils learn. The opportunities that European Links offer pupils in term of real-life learning through ICT are amazing. My School has been involved in a number of successful European and International Projects and were awarded the ‘eTwinning’ Quality Label as well as being runners up in the Annual eTwinning Awards.

Specialist areas:

I coordinate and support the use of the flashmeeting video conferencing tool for eTwinning school partnerships.

Teacher of Art and Design, Design Technology

Why would you recommend registering with eTwinning?

eTwinning offers an extensive range of opportunities for schools and colleges to interact at many levels with peers and colleagues across Europe.

What benefits has running an international link through ICT brought to your school?

Students and teachers enjoy being an active part of a shared community which helps them to bring their learning to life and celebrates their success and achievement. E twinning gives a purpose for studies and offers new and extensive possibilities for interaction using current, exciting and innovative technologies. It promotes community cohesion throughout the local community, the UK and across Europe. It also opens up a range of possibilities for schools to receive accreditation for their work.

Specialist areas:

I specialise in the practical use and application of web 2.0 tools and techniques to enhance children’s ICT skills across the curriculum. Digital Storytelling including the use of moviemaker, smilebox, photostory, photoshop and the use of a range of websites and programmes for editing, sharing and producing artwork. VOKI’s, Skype and other video chat tools.

I provide workshops in the practical adaptation and differentiaton of the curriculum to support Community Cohesion. I offer information advice and support for school journeys towards gaining the International School Award and researching the range of grants and opportunities for International projects, Arts Awards and Staff development Training.