Abstract:

The article analyses the solutions to three challenges facing the European educational systems, as suggested by three projects funded by the European Commission. The projects aim at raising students’ interest in studying science (Goerudio, a Lifelong Learning Programme -KA4 Dissemination and Exploitation of Results and Exchange of Good Practice), at fostering collaboration between education and the labour market (School&Work, an Erasmus+ Programme, KA2 Strategic Partnership) and at promoting social inclusion and equal opportunities through increased participation in and equal access to sport for all (Not Only Fair Play, an Erasmus+ Programme). The main objectives of the e-instruments created by the projects are:
1). facilitate learning and teaching by promoting collaboration among teachers and students, who share, match and stimulate their everyday experiences in dealing with the teaching and learning of scientific issues (Goerudio project);
2). facilitate students’ entrance in the labor market (School&Work project) and
3). raise teachers’, students’ and parents’ awareness of the importance of sport at school through a better integration of physical education into the school curricula (Not only Fair play). The underlying principle of the project activities has been to create strong learning communities made up of dedicated teachers and students across Europe. They have been working together to identify common problems and obstacles and to find appropriate solutions based on the findings of the research carried out within partnerships. All three networks generated have developed online data bases of reviews of existing projects and initiatives, which tackle the same issues as the projects: students’ lack of interest in science, the existing gap between school and work and disinterest in sport and difficulties in balancing school and sport activities. They have also collected and uploaded models of success stories and best practices on the project platforms. The online teaching resources (models, lesson plans, tests) created by the learning communities of teachers and students across Europe can be regarded as conclusions to all the efforts put into the three projects: collaboration is the key in finding successful solutions.

Keywords:

European projects, challenges, solutions, learning community, database, resources, previous initiatives.