Celebrating Excellence with the European Innovative Teaching Award

 The European Innovative Teaching Award (EITA) showcases outstanding teaching practices carried out as part of  Erasmus+ projects.  It recognises the work of teachers and schools and celebrates the exceptional contribution they make to their profession.  It aims to make their work more visible and is an integral part of the European Union's plans to attain a European Education Area by 2025.
 

 

What is the European Innovative Teaching Award?


The European Innovative Teaching Award (EITA) aims to:

  • identify and promote outstanding teaching and learning practices;
  • foster mutual learning between teachers and school staff;
  • highlight the value of Erasmus+ to teacher collaboration across Europe.
 

There are four European Innovative Teaching Award categories:

  • Early childhood education and care
  • Primary education
  • Post-primary education
  • VET schools.
 
For 2021, the European Innovative Teaching Award will focus on the theme of distance/blended/hybrid learning. The award will celebrate projects that used distance learning alongside teaching practices and related digital tools and other forms of blended learning, to provide effective and inclusive education. This thematic priority is particularly relevant in the current Covid-19 context and is linked to the Digital Education Action Plan.
 
 
 

Who receives the European Innovative Teaching Award?

 
 Teachers and school organisations that have taken part in an Erasmus+ project of excellence, between 2017 and 2020, in the following areas are eligible for the award:
  • Erasmus+ Learning Mobility projects (KA1) in the field of School Education
  • Erasmus+ Learning Mobility projects (KA1) in the field of Vocational Education and Training
  • Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships (KA2) projects in the field of School Education
  • Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships (KA2) projects in the field of Vocational Education and Training
  • Projects of excellence that scored at least 85 at final report stage
  • Individual projects coordinated by Irish organisations (excluding Consortia projects).

 

How are teachers and schools selected for the award?

 

The European Innovative Teaching Awardees are selected in Ireland by Léargas.  When selecting winners, evaluators will pay particular attention to the thematic priority for 2021 and four 'Innovation characteristics'. The criteria for these are described below.


Methodologies

In what ways are the teaching and learning approaches elaborated and implemented in the project innovative?

  • Multidisciplinary approaches
  • Key competence development (knowledge, skills and attitudes)
  • Linking formal, non-formal and informal learning
  • Inclusion, participation, cooperation
  • Innovative use of tools
  • Learners’ active role in the learning process

Environments

In what ways do learning environments involved in the project support innovative teaching and learning approaches?

  • The whole school approach
  • Cross-sectoral cooperation
  • Digital/blended learning
  • Schools as enablers of innovation

Teachers

In what ways do teachers/educators involved in the project influence the innovative teaching and learning processes?

  • Teachers’ agency as innovators
  • Teachers’ competences
  • Teachers’ cooperation and peer learning

Impact

What is the impact of the innovative teaching and learning processes elaborated and implemented in the project?

  • Quality of innovation processes
  • Spill-over effect (to other students, teachers, schools, local communities)

 

European Innovative Teaching Awards Winners 2021

 

We are delighted to announce the Irish projects that have been selected for this year's European Innovative Teaching Award:

  • Castleconnell National School

  • Loreto Balbriggan

  • City of Dublin Education and Training Board

Congratulations to everyone involved and best wishes for the award ceremony taking place 20 October 2021.

 

 

Related articles

Signup to our Newsletter

Subscribe