Teachers from five foreign countries and pupils from Germany launched the European Online Portfolio project at Govan High School last month.

The project involves more than 500 schoolchildren from Scotland, Spain, Finland, Holland, Germany and Serbia. The pupils involved will use the World Wide Web to create an online portfolio. This will include a CV and their personal goals and aims and will be accessible by employers, universities and colleges using a special code.

For some of the schools involved, the project is largely a language project, as all communication is in English. For Govan High, the project is focussing on employability skills.

The project, funded by the European Commission, will also double as a cultural exchange. Pupils can share experiences and opinions with their peers across Europe.

INSIGHT

Kevin Sweeney, Depute Head of Govan High, said, ‘This project is very important to Govan’s young people as it gives them an insight into what it is to be a European. It will broaden their horizons and open a dialogue about skills and competences as the students involved approach school leaving age.’

One of the 40 involved is 15-year-old S4 pupil Eddie Guthrie. Eddie has been using the website to take part in a discussion group with schoolchildren in Spain. He said, ‘I’m enjoying it. I study Spanish in school, and I hope it’ll help to improve my language skill. Getting to know other cultures has been really helpful.’

The project was the brainchild of Rob Barkey, a teacher for 32 years at Amsterdam’s OpenSchoolgemeenschap Bijlmer School.

Mr Barkey, International Project Coordinator, told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘Crossing the borders will make these children realise that the themes they deal with are international. It will help to take away preconceptions about other countries and cultures and in turn, will help the young people to understand their own identity.’