Monitoring the impact of eTwinning on teachers’ wellbeing

The report looked at the perceived impact of eTwinning on teachers’ personal and professional development, their emotional state and the social relationships developed in the eTwinning community, and their perceptions of ‘thriving from work’. The data was gathered via an online survey and interviews with primary and secondary school teachers who are active in eTwinning.

The teachers who took part in eTwinning activities generally perceive themselves to be happy and satisfied across various aspects of wellbeing, and overall, eTwinning seems to have a positive impact on all aspects. This supports the idea that eTwinning contributes to teachers feeling happy and healthy, both personally and professionally.

Key findings

• Teachers who are active in eTwinning (eTwinners) perceived eTwinning to have a greater impact on their teaching efficacy than on their interpersonal relations within the school.
• eTwinners reported having a positive emotional state in both their everyday lives and during eTwinning activities. They noted that participating in eTwinning and recognition enhance this positive affect.
• eTwinning positively impacts eTwinners’ autonomy, competence and connectedness. eTwinners also noted that eTwinning encourages their personal growth and increases their confidence.
• eTwinning offers ongoing learning opportunities. Formal and informal recognition of eTwinning activities served as motivation for growth and lifelong learning.
• eTwinning contributes to eTwinners’ social wellbeing by facilitating professional and personal relationships that lead to a sense of deeper collegiality among teachers. Formal and informal recognition of eTwinning activities have increased the perception of the teaching profession.
• eTwinners experience moderately high levels of fulfilment and satisfaction in their profession. eTwinning was cited as a protective factor against burnout and stagnation, significantly boosting job resources such as social and emotional support.
• eTwinning stimulated teachers’ reflection about their roles, facilitated the move from traditional teaching roles to other positions and reduced ideas of quitting.

Find out more information in the full report and the summary report.