it openly. On returning to work, I took action. We made use of the spacious corridors of our school and introduced dancing breaks, with music and choreography. They continue to be very popular among the students. Intangible results include the changes that are taking place in ourselves. They are the most difficult to notice, but their durability and value are priceless. During the stays abroad, I have met many exceptional people. People, like me, who have come in search of inspiration and knowledge. Who are usually not afraid of change, are open, and keep searching. These are people who are implementing interesting projects. They are often authors of innovation and creators of educational reality in their countries. The chance to be in touch with them, our shared interests, similar temperament and willingness to change represents the greatest added value of the trips. An opportunity to learn about other cultures is provided, as is a chance to explore oneself, finding both weaknesses and strengths. We are open to learning about other cultures, while promoting our own. We are all ambassadors for our countries, and feel that very strongly at such meetings. And I know that someday all of us will benefit from that knowledge and experience.
231 Mobilit y as a tool to acquire and develop competences from childhood to seniorit y
PART I: Mobility and Competences – Civic Society, Labour Market and Education
The most recent mobility I have participated in entailed training in Malta. This time, my interest was focused on new information technologies, and on methods of applying them in school practice and in education in general. The need to use multimedia and Internet resources at school became apparent some time ago. Another generation of pupils has been raised surrounded by computers, with specific expectations and needs in this regard to be met by the school. Increasingly, we realize that the times of blackboard and chalk are over. In Malta, we were trained in the development of e-learning courses. A number of centres there are involved in the subject, so the choice of place seemed obvious. Moreover, it is a tourist destination of great beauty and exoticism, which allowed me to compensate for the many, sometimes tedious, hours at the computer desk with some rest by the warm Mediterranean Sea.
It turned out that the choice of course and venue was a hit. The training staff were extremely helpful in solving problems and addressing concerns.
EN
My group was very diverse. The ten participants included one person each from Portugal, France, Romania, Finland and Greece, as well as two Germans and two Swedes (and a Pole). We represented a variety of institutions, from primary school, through the successive levels of education, to a representative of the department of education in Romania. But we were all interested in the tools that could be used to develop and maintain educational platforms. I was particularly interested in whether I could create a virtual classroom at a primary school. To answer that question and to pose it for the teachers at my school, I decided, in the first place, to raise my own level of competence in this area.