An alternative path for professional development: Exploring the effects of etwinning projects on teachers' professional growth

Professional teacher development has been widely investigated in educational settings as it ultimately affects the student achievement. In recent decades, the nature of teacher professional development has evolved into a more dynamic and self-regulated process, largely due to the technological advances. This shift leads to the recognition of online learning communities as effective tools for enhancing professional knowledge. The eTwinning platform, funded by the European Commission, encourages teachers to engage in collaborative European projects and online communities for professional growth. These projects provide teachers with opportunities for peer learning, exchanging practices, and building networks within a safe digital environment. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, this study investigates how participation in eTwinning projects contributes to teacher professional development. An online questionnaire was utilized to gather a broad overview of teachers' perspectives, which was supported by focus group interviews to gain a detailed understanding of individual experiences and insights. The participants of the study were volunteer teachers from various European countries, including Italy, Spain, Croatia, Poland, and Türkiye, all of whom had participated in at least one eTwinning project. The findings highlight the value of eTwinning as a tool for continuous professional development, underscoring its potential to foster collaboration, innovation, and create a sense of community among educators. The identified challenges were also presented to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on the effects of eTwinning, an online learning community, on teacher development, offering insights for educators, policymakers, and educational institutions aiming to utilize technology for professional growth.