Interview with Micheline Maurice

Micheline Maurice, a pedagogical expert working at the International centre for pedagogical studies in France (CIEP), manages training sessions directed to teachers on pedagogy of exchanges, intercultural approaches and European dimension of education. When she learnt about eTwinning, she said to herself “Finally, the European action I was waiting for! The European Action many teachers were waiting for”! She explains why.

Most teachers are asking themselves how to help each of their pupils:

• discover the world around them, near or far
• be curious, have a desire to learn
• open their mind to foreign  cultures and languages
• be familiar with a foreign language
• make links between what he/she knows and what he/she does not know
• learn how to work in team
• inform him/herself
• learn to use new technologies
• not to be afraid of others, the unknown or the future
• understand what he/she sees on TV or the internet
• understand what Europe is
• become responsible for his/her learning, his history
• find good reasons to succeed at school
• become a citizen in the different areas of which he is part: his/her school, clubs, neighborhood, future workplace, region, country, Europe…

At the same time, teachers ask themselves another question: How can can this be done? How to get satisfaction from teaching and reach ambitious goals without:

• radically changing the pedagogy
• neglecting the curriculum
• tripling the working time
• feeling isolated at work

 As a trainer on pedagogy of exchanges, I propose a few answers:

• do not stay alone with this good but difficult questions
• tackle them from a different point of view, that of a teacher working in another educational system in another European country
• establish a dialogue through a concrete working situation by setting up an exchange project with your pupils and his/hers
• do not believe that to be efficient and find the right answers, it is necessary to take part in a very complex and long project
• on the contrary set up a project matching your expectations and corresponding to your pedagogical and institutional frameworks
• put in place a project that will lead your pupils to develop autonomy, cooperation, diplomatic and intercultural skills, one which helps them become responsible, develop active knowledge in the selected fields.

Until now, I have always dreamed of adding the following answers:

• get recognition for your project by the national and European educational authorities
• develop your own skills by working with a network by:
  - regularly exchanging your thoughts between partners and sharing your knowledge and pedagogical skills
  - using a European and national support services to answer any question (pedagogical, technical or others) that may arise during the implementation of the project
  - being in a position to maintain, enlarge, improve your exchange project

Today, thanks to eTwinning, I can give these answers.

“At last, eTwinning is here!”

Web Editor: Micheline Maurice Published: 03.09.2008 Last changed: 12.08.2009