A.+Participation



// MySchoolsNetwork to support authentic language learning and global citizenship in primary, secondaryand higher education //

Some 5 years ago two teacher educators of the NHL teacher training institute in the Netherlands started developing an educational multimedia platform ([|www.myschoolsnetwork.com]) where students all over the world can communicate with each other about how they live, their culture and hobbies. The underlying concept is that students should be able to work on their language proficiency and global citizenship in an attractive, safe and authentic environment. Student teachers of participating teacher training institutes such as the NHL act as online moderators and online coaches, thus working on their pedagogic competencies. MySchoolsNetwork has developed into a lively social media platform with more than 5000 users (students, pupils and teachers) in more than 60 schools in different countries in Europe, the US, Asia and Australia. We are now working on the introduction of African and South American schools. What MySchoolsNetwork has to offer you and your students: - MySN has been programmed to resemble social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter - Members can post personal messages to other students and shouts in English on the homepage - They will be monitored by students teachers and receive feedback on their language skills - They can take part in online events : these are weekly online writing, drawing, reciting competitions. Though most of the events are presented in English they can be in any language, depending on what schools take part and what the learning objectives are. Examples : “my favorite homemade food”, “ In and around my school”, “poetry recital contest”, “Games in my country”, “My dream school” etc. - Possibility to take part in online collaboration projects, where students in different countries work together. - In general : MySchoolsNetwork can support existing and new projects in your school. Students have a social media-like environment where they can display their talents by means of videos, documents, blogs and wikis. They share and give feedback to each other. - MySchoolsNetwork is totally free for schools/universities in countries other than The Netherlands.
 * // The Dutch NHL University of Applied Sciences is looking for partner schools, institutes and universities abroad in order to provide students with a powerful environment in which they can develop themselves as true citizens of the world with a good command of at least one World language. //****// We have the platform…we need you and the students in your school/university to enrich our global online community! //**
 * Background **

Becoming a member school is easy : - Send us the official name plus a picture of your school/institute. The entry will be created within days. The next step : send us a list of names and mail addresses of students and teachers that you would like to be enrolled. The whole procedure will take no more than a couple of days and your students and teachers can get started. - Being interested in educational innovation, we are always ready to discuss new events and projects with you, that suit your school’s specific needs.

If you are interested in being a partner in our network or have any questions, please contact: r.wierda@iec.nhl.nl or fill in the application form on the homepage of [|www.myschoolsnetwork.com] If you like, we can send you a guest account so that you can check out the site.

Kind regards Roelien Bos-Wierda & Ron Barendsen Teacher educators and founders MySchoolsNetwork NHL University of Applied Sciences Leeuwarden The Netherlands