On the Footprints of Nature.

We achieved a new learning environment for students offering best alternatives to motivate them and improve their skills in photography and speaking. This increased their sense of creativity and c...

We achieved a new learning environment for students offering best alternatives to motivate them and improve their skills in photography and speaking. This increased their sense of creativity and capacity of self-expression. We aimed to encourage students to paritcipate in non-formal and extracurricular activities, to involve them in the problems of the contemporary world for inclusion and accomplish their educational career. Students' motivation for study was enchanced by means of photography. The desire for self-development was increased. Functional, practical skills were improved (taking good quality photos and communicating in English). Intercultural awareness was raised, self-conciousness and self-identity were boosted. We managed to achieve 21st century European values such as: positive attitudes towards people, countries and cultures. Acceptance, non-discrimination, tolerance, enhanced communication, dialogue and inter-personal skills. The teahcers were also the group which boosted the motivation for teaching, managed to collaborate and cooperate among European school teachers. The best pracitices and pedagogical approches were exchanged. Teachers also managed to enhance the knowledge of how to deal with photo software.

Beneficiary institutions organised and paricipated in all planned (3) student/teacher exchanges. Greece and Turkey organised 2 virtual meetings. All the acitivites combined photography with the pupils' daily life, nature, their culture, their problems, their views and artistic perceptions; LTTA 1. One day in my life-the principles of photography. Seminars on "The principles of photography", tasks in multucultural teams, enhancing communication in English, photo exhibition, evaluation; LTTA 2. My school - colour, light and shadow. Students studied and shared opinions on colour, light and shadow techniques, working online was an assigned task. Evaluation of photographic products and virtual exhibition; LTTA 3. My city - Background and details. Photographic workshop, project meeting for teachers, assigned tasks conducted in multicultural students' teams, photo session, evaluation; LTTA 4. My region - photos in motion and albumes. Virtual school photo session, multicultural teams communicate on the platform, virtual exhibition, evaluation; LTTA 5. My Europe - Art of edit photos. Participants attended seminars on "The art of edit photos" and conducted tasks in multicultural teams, photo session, evaluation and meeting for teachers.

The results of the project were the tangible materials like photography workshop materials, students' photographic reports and files, students' photos on every exchange topics (included in students' presentations), students' worksheets, interpretation of feedback papers , evaluation tools for activities, photo exhibitions, certificates, presentations of the countries, regions and towns, personalized stationery, teachers' protocols, 1 project's website , the creation of eTwinning platform and FB account. We have printed 500 leaflets and 20 posters and managed to distribute about 75%. Over 90% of participants declared they have improved photography and language skills. Intangible results were related to the language acquisition of learners and teachers, improved photography/digital skills, interactive activities, intercultural awareness, communication in English, working in multicultural teams, increased self-esteem. The experience in organizing exchanges and strengthening ties with parents and local community. Improving school atmosphere led to the development of extracurricular activities and created a more appealing environment. Yet another intangible result concerned strengthening teacher collaboration and relationships.