2. The Project in generall

Project's Title: e-Twin-Cities: Neo-Classicism

Short description
Students taking part in the project are working in groups in some European countries (e.g. Greece, Germany, Romania, France…). They have to introduce themselves to the others, describing their family, their school environment and the educational system in their country, and presenting their city and focusing on the neo-classical elements, comparing the possible mutual influences, seeking their common historical, cultural, social past.

Students in their countries surf on the WWW and look for material concerning the above subjects. They make crossword puzzles, riddles and diagrams trying to communicate and explain the similarities and the differences of their cities in the 19th century. They comment and publish the results of their navigation and their study via blogs, power-point presentations and web pages.

Guidelines:
· Who am I? What is my family like?·
What is my school, the educational system, post compulsory education like?
· What is my town like? (Architecture and environment)
· What was my town like in the 19th century?
· Are there any neo-classical buildings still now? Are they beautiful or not and why?

Responding to the above topics:
· The students will exchange images, photos, videos and texts. They will reflect on and present the current state connecting to the past and the future.
· By working on the Internet and using IC tools with the partners from other countries they will also appreciate the universal character of the Internet and its power.
· Studying the buildings and the neo-classical elements throughout the history they will comprehend the common cultural heritage.

Aims
To get a new view of the world around us
To empower young people with those tools, knowledge and skills they need to communicate in the future world
To deepen the relations among the European young people
To create a background for further educational plans
To improve their command of English
To get substantially familiar with modern IC collaborative tools and to improve their implementation skills in developing blogs, WebPages or Power-Point Presentations
To experiment with new learning methodologies
To learn how to work in international teams
To get to know the cities, the likes and the dislikes of the partners
To develop critical thinking and explore the European perspective
To exchange information about cultural differences and similaritiesTo obtain intercultural knowledge, experience and computer literacy
To make friends in another country and, if possible, to visit their cities.

Work process
At first all students introduce themselves.
Then, they work on tasks in 4 sub-groups with students from different countries.
There are approximately 3-5 students of each country in each group.
The first group focuses on school and the education system. This could be in the form of a diagram, a drawing or crossword puzzles.
The second group deals with the buildings, the architecture and the famous architects in each town/region
The third group works on presentations about the civilization, the culture of their own country.
The fourth group facilitates the communication among the partners.

Groups are encouraged to cooperate with each other when necessary.
They make comparisons between countries are compulsory.
They communication in English among students via ICT is important.
Each object-tool (photo, image, picture, sound, or video animation) utilised is accompanied by notes or comments and bibliography could be added.

"Project outcome"
Production:
Work plans, schedules and procedures
Blogs, Presentations and web pages
Pictures or videos of the work process.

Practical Tips
Communication Tools: e-mail, chat, TwinSpace, web sites, Voip (Skype or MSN)
Communication Language: English, Greek.

Participants:
Groups of students aged 16-20
Groups of teachers of different specialization.

Framework
Subjects:
Information and Communication Technology
History and Art
Multimedia and Network
English
Graphic Arts and Architecture

Programmes:
E-twinning, Environmental Education