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School Education Gateway newsletter 3/2020 - September View this email in your browser

Erasmus accreditation is coming – get ready by taking our short course For the first time, a new system of Erasmus accreditations is launched to support organisations. Every year, the EU funds thousands of mobilities and professional development opportunities for school staff. This year a new tool is available for organisations that want to create Erasmus mobility projects. Being awarded of the accreditation will give them easier access to Key Action 1 funding opportunities under the new Programme that is starting in 2021. The self-paced course "Erasmus Accreditation – a Path to Mobility" opened on 14 September and can be completed at any time until 29 October 2020. It includes one module only and two webinars. Participants will learn how the accreditation works, what benefits it offers and how organisations can apply. Register here and get started now! Teacher Academy focuses on Project-Based Learning How can you help your students to explore real world problems and challenges? Or design effective solutions? Project-Based Learning (PBL) is typically used in a shared physical environment where students can directly interact, but it can also be used effectively as part of distance learning. It can get students out of the passive mode of learning and into a more active role, both individually and collaborating in groups. The new MOOC will introduce the basics of Project-Based Learning, and why it is relevant to introduce it in your teaching. The course provides teachers with tools and strategies to successfully plan and implement PBL activities in the classroom. After completing it, participants will be able to explain key concepts, identify strategies to support student learning, and apply these concepts when structuring their lesson plans. The course starts on 28 September. Sign up today Language as cultural heritage: join the next webinar on 22 September Languages function as a communication tool and are entwined with cultural heritage, knowledge and traditions. What is their place in the future of education? Would you like to learn more about the diverse linguistic and cultural landscape of Europe and how to ensure multilingual education in schools? In this webinar you will have the opportunity to discuss on language learning, teaching and assessing with our experts. Find out more about good practices and examples to get inspired. Join the webinar Tuesday 22 September at 17:00 CEST. If you missed any of our previous webinars, you can find all of the recordings and presentations online. Back to school. A new survey about the 2020/21 school year, open until 27 September! Start of the new school year is not "business as usual" anymore. How can teachers, parents and students be better supported in these exceptional circumstances? Many questions remain about education while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Policy makers and schools have made plans to provide safe schooling – respecting social distancing rules and supporting pupils that have been isolated during these months. We would like to ask you: how does the new school year feel for school staff across Europe? Fill in this short survey – your views can help school leaders, authorities and ministries. It is open until 27 September and available in 23 languages. You will find the results on our website. Have also a look at our previous survey results on climate education and online and distance learning. A new review system for on-site courses put in place on our website This update will enhance the quality of the platform and the value of the reviews and ratings ahead of the new programme period Over the summer the platform's review system of on-site courses was updated: instead of displaying reviews submitted by users directly on the platform, from now on the reviews shown are submitted exclusively through the Mobility Tool+ platform. The new system guarantees that only verified Erasmus+ project participants can submit reviews, as part of the report for the relevant mobility. It will also significantly increase the number of reviews, building a more accurate impression of experiences for other participants to benefit from. The new system simply requires project coordinators to include the course ID in the Mobility Tool+. The course ID is found in the Reviews section of the respective course page at School Education Gateway or can be obtained by asking the course provider. For any questions on submitting course reviews via Mobility Tool+, please refer to your National Agency.

AUGUST: QUALITY ASSURANCE: EVALUATION TO SUPPORT SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT The design of quality assurance mechanisms varies across national contexts, but they have a common objective: to improve teaching and learning and to ensure that learners have the best learning opportunities possible. Emphasis is on improvement rather than actual 'control'. The schools' closure impacted the inspectors' work, but their support continued, albeit in a different manner. JULY: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector has long-faced challenges of meeting the demands of families and offering its staff sufficient remuneration and opportunities for professional development. With the pandemic putting many ECEC settings into further difficulty, it has become evident that urgent support is needed. JUNE: VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING All crises present opportunities for  reflection, creativity, and innovation. As a repercussion of COVID-19, we are witnessing the birth of a new awareness among educators regarding the need for – and the inequalities in – the use of digital tools in VET. More attention is also being given to work-based learning. "The most certain thing about the future is its uncertainty", but this uncertainty can create a better, future-oriented education.

The School Education Gateway is funded by Erasmus+, the European programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport. It is operated for the DG Education and Culture of the European Commission by European Schoolnet, an international partnership of 34 European Ministries of Education. The School Education Gateway is linked to eTwinning, the community for schools in Europe.   Copyright © 2020 School Education Gateway, all rights reserved. Our mailing address is: support@schooleducationgateway.eu You receive this quarterly newsletter because you signed up or because you registered at the School Education Gateway. If you no longer want to receive it, you can unsubscribe here.