European Teacher Education Network
Encyclopedia
The European Teacher Education Network (ETEN) was founded in 1988 by a group of teacher educators who found it imperative to promote cooperation and international collaboration in research and development
by exchanging students and staff. The overall aim was providing opportunities for professional development
, research and publication, and promoting knowledge and understanding of the history, culture, values and traditions of the member countries.
In 2009 ETEN comprises a network of nearly 60 institutions of higher education
from 17 countries, mainly European. ETEN seeks and cooperates with partners outside Europe. The standard working language
of ETEN is English.
ETEN, like the Internet, is a network without a hierarchy but with a purpose: besides promoting exchange of
students and staff it focuses around Thematic Interest Groups (TIGs). The strength of the network is based on these groups of common interests whose activities depend heavily on the TIG leaders.
The ETEN annual conference is, in essence, organized around each TIG, whose leader is responsible for accepting papers, organizing presentations, and moderating discussions - a unique and significant task. What makes this network particularly interesting is the way the TIGs are created according with the interests that evolve from discussions during the network meetings. So, the network is a very dynamic, lively and informal network, always open for new TIGs and new members.
ETEN has, as its vision to:
• provide knowledge and recognition of teaching and educational work at all levels.
• provide status, respect and inspiration for the teacher and social educator professions.
• influence development and innovation of teacher and social educator education in the member countries.
• learn about and promote understanding of the history, culture, values and traditions of the member countries, as expressed through teacher and social educator education.
In support of that vision, ETEN works to:
• promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of individual and/or groups of students as part of their programmes of study (inclusive of teaching experience, practical training, curriculum work and research).
• promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of staff members in relation to student education, teaching, school development, curriculum development and research.
• promote opportunities within teacher and social educator education programmes and school practice to incorporate comparative and intercultural perspectives on education.
• promote opportunities for cross-national and international collaboration in research and development.
• provide opportunities for professional staff development.
• disseminate the work of ETEN in a wider educational context.
ETEN publishes the Journal of the European Teacher Education Network (JETEN) in hard-copy and the Proceedings of the annual conference in electronic format.
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
by exchanging students and staff. The overall aim was providing opportunities for professional development
Professional development
Professional development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning...
, research and publication, and promoting knowledge and understanding of the history, culture, values and traditions of the member countries.
In 2009 ETEN comprises a network of nearly 60 institutions of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
from 17 countries, mainly European. ETEN seeks and cooperates with partners outside Europe. The standard working language
Working language
A working language is a language that is given a unique legal status in a supra-national company, society, state or other body or organization as its primary mean of communication...
of ETEN is English.
ETEN, like the Internet, is a network without a hierarchy but with a purpose: besides promoting exchange of
students and staff it focuses around Thematic Interest Groups (TIGs). The strength of the network is based on these groups of common interests whose activities depend heavily on the TIG leaders.
The ETEN annual conference is, in essence, organized around each TIG, whose leader is responsible for accepting papers, organizing presentations, and moderating discussions - a unique and significant task. What makes this network particularly interesting is the way the TIGs are created according with the interests that evolve from discussions during the network meetings. So, the network is a very dynamic, lively and informal network, always open for new TIGs and new members.
ETEN has, as its vision to:
• provide knowledge and recognition of teaching and educational work at all levels.
• provide status, respect and inspiration for the teacher and social educator professions.
• influence development and innovation of teacher and social educator education in the member countries.
• learn about and promote understanding of the history, culture, values and traditions of the member countries, as expressed through teacher and social educator education.
In support of that vision, ETEN works to:
• promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of individual and/or groups of students as part of their programmes of study (inclusive of teaching experience, practical training, curriculum work and research).
• promote opportunities for exchange and/or visits of staff members in relation to student education, teaching, school development, curriculum development and research.
• promote opportunities within teacher and social educator education programmes and school practice to incorporate comparative and intercultural perspectives on education.
• promote opportunities for cross-national and international collaboration in research and development.
• provide opportunities for professional staff development.
• disseminate the work of ETEN in a wider educational context.
ETEN publishes the Journal of the European Teacher Education Network (JETEN) in hard-copy and the Proceedings of the annual conference in electronic format.
TIG - Thematic Interest Groups
- Arts EducationArt educationArt education is the area of learning that is based upon the visual, tangible arts—drawing, painting, sculpture, and design in jewelry, pottery, weaving, fabrics, etc. and design applied to more practical fields such as commercial graphics and home furnishings...
- Democracy
- Early Learners
- Educational TechnologyEducational technologyEducational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources." The term educational technology is often associated with, and encompasses, instructional theory and...
- Internationalisation
- Mathematics Education
- Myths, Fairy TalesFairy taleA fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
and Legends in Education - Physical Education
- Reflective PracticeReflective practiceReflective practice is "the capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning", which, according to the originator of the term, is "one of the defining characteristics of professional practice"....
- Religion and Cultural Education
- Science EducationScience educationScience education is the field concerned with sharing science content and process with individuals not traditionally considered part of the scientific community. The target individuals may be children, college students, or adults within the general public. The field of science education comprises...
- Special Needs
- Technology Teaching & Learning
- Urban Education