The DIGITAL FIRST project, funded by Erasmus+, is a collaborative effort across ten EU countries to reshape informatics education in primary and secondary schools. Recognizing the unique needs of today’s digital natives, this project aims to create a curriculum that not only covers technical knowledge but also develops the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for a digital future. This article highlights the project’s progress and the actions undertaken to date.
Exploring Informatics Education Across Europe
To lay a strong foundation, our consortium began by examining how informatics is currently taught in each participating country. This research has offered valuable insights, and a detailed analysis has already been conducted in participating countries. Key recommendations from this study on Greece include:
1️⃣ Investment in Technological Resources: Addressing the need for modern equipment and tools to support effective learning.
2️⃣ Curriculum Modernization: Including advanced topics like AI, Big Data, and Blockchain to better prepare students for future job markets.
3️⃣ Professional Development for Teachers: Ensuring that educators receive ongoing training to keep pace with technological advancements.
4️⃣ Interactive and Game-Based Learning: Making informatics more engaging and applicable through innovative teaching techniques.
Initiating Dialogue Clubs for Co-Creation and Exchange
The dialogue clubs are an exciting, ongoing component of DIGITAL FIRST, recently launched to enable direct collaboration between educators, students, and informatics experts. These clubs aim to co-design a functional approach to teaching that prioritizes the role of informatics in everyday life. Through these collaborative discussions, we are working to ensure that informatics education is practical, inclusive, and impactful, enabling students to apply digital skills across different contexts.
Looking Ahead
With these foundational activities in place, DIGITAL FIRST is well-positioned to continue evolving the role of informatics in education. By fostering innovation and inclusivity, our consortium aims to empower the next generation to become not just users of technology but also its creators.
Sveučilište Algebra, Universidade da Coruña Integrated Group for Engineering Research, Vilniaus universitetas / Vilnius University, Turun yliopisto – University of Turku, University of Ljubljana, Služba za digitalizacijo izobraževanja I Digital Education Service, OŠ bratov Polančičev Maribor, OŠ Toneta Čufarja, CFAE Póvoa de Varzim e Vila do Conde, Project Lighthouse, T-hap, Suradnici u učenju, Industrial Technical Institute “Ferraris Pancaldo”, Secondary school “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, ALL DIGITAL
Learn more at the project’s official website digitalfirstnetwork.eu. Stay tuned for updates as we redefine how technology shapes the future of education!
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