The main objective of our ‘Small and remote rural schools’ eTwinning group is to provide a collaborative space for eTwinners who work in small and rural areas. These eTwinners have common goals that make it necessary to search for innovative educational approaches that emphasise students as agents of change, diversity as an added value, and inclusion as a strength in the classroom.

The members of this new eTwinning group learn more about new teaching and learning techniques through regular interactive activities and webinars. They also write collaborative articles and hold forums and debates on current educational issues related to teaching and learning in small and remote rural schools.

Furthermore, they explore collaboration through European projects, and the use of new technologies to improve their learning and teaching.

We want to help our members transform their dreams into real learning proposals and create collaborative learning environments that respond to their needs and interests. Group members have access to adaptable resources and learning events. In addition, they have the possibility to share their ideas for collaborative projects and network with other eTwinners to establish future eTwinning projects.

Through our group, members can participate in professional development workshops and attend expert talks from universities and the professional eTwinning community. During these one-hour talks, experts share their views on current education issues in small and remote rural schools, undoubtedly serving as an inspiration for all participants.

During our biannual online conferences, teachers share their valuable work by presenting their experiences, projects, and collaborative activities. The conferences are aimed at teachers and researchers and offer a framework for exchanging good practices.

Learning goes beyond borders and eTwinning acts as an agent of social transformation for our schools. It’s a starting point that allows us to show the rural environment in which we work every day. It’s a window that looks towards Europe, looking for change to improve the reality of our small and remote rural schools.

Salvador Páez Rodríguez, moderator of the eTwinning group ‘Small and Remote Rural Schools’