School Collaboration
During the Aurora Entrepreneurialis project, we facilitated collaboration between upper secondary schools across the border in Finland and Sweden. We supported schools in the planning and implementation of joint activities and projects. Here you can find tips, ideas and examples for collaboration between teachers, classes and schools.
Inspiration for collaboration and concrete models to implement in teaching
Feel free to take a look at the contents of the completed activities and projects of the Aurora Entrepreneurialis schools on the Fruits of Collaboration page.
You can learn more about the collaborating Aurora Entrepreneurialis schools using the Thinglink map below. Schools have been invited from within the project area.
Below we have also gathered some tips and ideas for school collaboration based on our experiences during the project.
Aurora Entrepreneurialis schools on the map
Tips for collaboration
Ideas for cross-border collaboration between schools
The following ideas can act as inspiration and thematic content for cross-border collaboration and partnerships between schools. The ideas have been gathered from Aurora Entrepreneurialis project schools.
- Physical exchanges between schools (travelling to visit each other)
- Teacher-to-teacher collaboration based on knowledge and experience exchange
- Collaboration around an upcycling sustainability contest
- Ecologocial, economic and social sustainability
- UNESCO Themes (based on the activities of the UNESCO school network)
- Collaboration within language learning (can be combined with other subjects)
- Collaboration about working with special needs students or diverse backgrounds
- Digital & virtual collaboration
- Collaboration within the JA Year as an Entrepreneur course
Searching for partner schools or project partners
Where to find partners:
• The Erasmus+ and other youth mobility programs often organize partner search events, where you can join.
• If you are looking for a partner around the Bothnian Arc region, you can always contact the Bothnian Arc Association for support.
• You can also check the European eTwinning platform to find suitable partners.
• We also encourage you to collaborate with local schools in your city or region.
We recommend making initial contact with a suitable partner at least during the previous semester before the intended collaboration project (e.g. many high schools plan the whole next school year in April). Often countries have different educational systems and timetables for planning their semester schedules.
Digital collaboration
Collaboration between different schools and classes can be also implemented in hybrid and digital formats. Consider the following:
- Decide on the platforms that you will use. We have used Microsoft Teams for the hybrid meeting and Miro boards for collaboration.
- Prepare the exercises and instructions. We recommend making instructions available on the platform itself, so students can independently navigate through different exercises with their group. This helps the facilitator to manage the session.
- Send clear instructions to the students in advance. For example: “each participant needs their own laptop/smartphone”.
- Create a pre-task for the students to prepare themselves for the session and get to know each other already before the online session. This will help you in running a more interactive program.
- Prepare group division and breakout rooms. We recommend mixed groups between schools and classes. You can create breakout rooms before the session already in Microsoft Teams or other meeting platforms.
- Include an icebreaker and get-to-know exercise in the beginning.