eTwinning in Austria - An Area Surrounded by Mountains and Lakes

Such territory also leads to special situations in schooling – e.g. 40% of all elementary schools in the most-western region in the Alps have 50 or fewer pupils, according to a 2015 study^[1].

Also, in other parts of the country many rural areas are preserved. Only ten years ago, a third of all schools in the country were categorised as small schools^[2], nested in smaller, rural communities. Since then there has been a movement to unite smaller schools into school centres, serving larger areas and enabling a more direct investment and development.

Although the legal and practical framework is changing, the realities of working as a teacher in a predominantly rural area remains challenging. One of Austria’s most active eTwinners, Ms. Gerhild Robinig is situated in Carinthia. Carinthia is the southernmost Austrian state, situated within the Eastern Alps. The area is noted for its mountains and lakes.

Ms Gerhild Robinig has 29 years of experience of teaching and describes a day in her life and eTwinning activities in her lower secondary school, located in the market town of Weitensfeld, close to the borders with Slovenia and Italy.

Our school is a secondary school in a rural area in the southernmost province of Austria (Carinthia). The pupils are aged between 10 and 14 years. Currently 112 students attend our school. The main focus of the teaching activities is on “reading”, “digital literacy - elearning”, “social learning” and "eTwinning”.

The majority of our students come from the surrounding mountain villages (Pisweg, Deutsch-Griffen, Glödnitz, Altenmarkt, Zweinitz).

In rural areas families tend to have more traditional structures. For children raised in a farm, the mother is usually at home. Furthermore, students very often experience the support and supervision of their grandparents, which is reflected in good reading performance and lovingly designed work. In eTwinning projects, we are also supported by the children's parents.

At about 7:15 a.m. the first pupils arrive by school bus from the surrounding mountain villages. At 7:45 a.m. the first two lessons start. From 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 am., students can work independently on different work assignments from different subjects assisted by their teachers. Between 9:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. is the third lesson.

This is followed by a break. Students can eat and move freely in the gym, or in the schoolyard, or in the assembly hall or in class depending on the weather. Afterwards there are lessons again, depending on the timetable and class until 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.

Students coming from the surrounding areas start their day very early, as they often have a long way to get to school. Distances in general are one of the main challenges in rural areas. This also includes trips for various activities such as swimming to the indoor swimming pool, watching theatre, and other enriching activities which become inevitably time-consuming and expensive.

An advantage in our school is certainly the proximity to skiing and hiking areas. Furthermore, most of the students are very motivated. Small and clearly arranged classes and groups allow a pleasant learning atmosphere. Individual support and learning of the students are possible, since smaller classes allow us to react to problems and difficulties very early and in a targeted manner.

Personal exchange and cooperation between students, teachers, parents and school management is guaranteed. This good communication among small numbers of teaching staff enables an exchange in the professional field, but also social components are not neglected.

Our school has been very active in eTwinning for the past six years. We have worked on over 20 projects in that time and have received seven European Quality Labels. On a national level, our projects were awarded national prizes several times. Having several teachers and our principal also enthusiastic and supportive in our eTwinning activities has also enabled us to qualify for and get awarded the eTwinning School Label – twice already!

eTwinning enables pupils to put into practice the digital literacy skills they acquire in class. By exchanging and getting to know the partner schools, their insecurities and prejudices against other nations are eliminated. Experiences are shared and insights into cultural differences and similarities are consciously perceived. Excursions, which we undertake as part of our projects, are fun for the whole class. Language skills are also sharpened. Despite our remote location, we can communicate and work together with students from our neighbouring countries.