10.1.6 Collaborating with colleagues

Collaborating with colleagues

Professional networks, whether face-to-face or online, represent an efficient way for teachers to learn and collaborate to improve their teaching. A recent ETF survey carried out in the Western Balkans and Turkey suggests that more than two-thirds of teachers in the region are not yet collaborating in any formal way with colleagues outside of their own institutions. Teachers do collaborate, but mainly to align their teaching plans. Even within institutions, different categories of teachers and trainers (practice instructors, teachers of theory or general education, and trainers in companies with which the school works) seldom meet to coordinate their inputs. The internet is now offering many ways to stay in touch with colleagues, through social media or specifically created platforms. ETF has supported a number of pilot networks that have been shown to be sustainable. They build on open educational resources, have a strong focus on professional collaboration, use training events that are already scheduled, make use of virtual platforms, introduce digital videos and celebrate local heroes.

Find out more on ETF Open Space and the CPD Virtual platform.