The European Commission has published new guidelines titled “Practical strategies for European classrooms”, aiming to support the teaching of informatics across Europe and strengthen digital skills among learners.
These European guidelines for teaching informatics highlight innovative approaches and real-world practices that can be adopted in classrooms.
Among them, Digital First, an EU-funded project, is recognised as a good practice, showcasing its contribution to modern, inclusive, and applied informatics education.
What Are the New European Guidelines for Teaching Informatics?
The newly released guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for educators, schools, and policymakers to improve how informatics is taught. They focus on (a) developing computational thinking and problem-solving skills, (b) promoting active, student-centered learning, (c) connecting informatics with real-world applications, (d) encouraging interdisciplinary approaches, and (e) ensuring accessibility and inclusion in digital education.
This initiative is part of the European Union’s broader effort to enhance digital competencies and support the Digital Education Action Plan 2030.
A Shift Towards Practical and Applied Learning
A key message of the guidelines is that informatics education should move beyond theory. Instead, it should emphasize hands-on, experiential learning, where students actively engage with technology and develop practical skills.
Recommended approaches include project-based learning, scenario-based simulations, educational games and storytelling, and collaborative and problem-based activities. These methods help learners become not just users of technology, but creators and critical thinkers.
What Is Digital First?
Digital First is an EU-funded project focused on enhancing digital skills and promoting innovative approaches to education across Europe. The project brings together partners from different countries to design and implement (a) interactive learning methodologies, (b) technology-enhanced educational tools, (c) inclusive and accessible training environments, and (d) real-world learning scenarios. By combining pedagogy with emerging technologies, Digital First aims to make informatics education more engaging, practical, and relevant.
Digital First as a European Good Practice in Informatics Education
The recognition of Digital First in the European Commission guidelines highlights the impact of its approach. The project aligns closely with the priorities outlined in the publication by (a) bridging the gap between theory and practice, (b) promoting learner-centered and interactive education, (c) leveraging technologies such as AI and XR, and (d) supporting inclusion and accessibility. This validation demonstrates how EU-funded projects can contribute directly to shaping educational strategies at the European level.
Why This Recognition Matters for Digital Education in Europe
Being featured in an official European Commission publication is significant because (a) it reinforces the importance of practical, applied informatics education, (b) it highlights scalable and transferable educational practices, (c) it strengthens the connection between innovation and policy, and (d) it showcases the impact of EU-funded projects in real-world settings.
For organisations like Project Lighthouse, it confirms the importance of developing solutions that combine technology, education, and societal impact.
The Future of Informatics Education
As Europe continues to invest in digital transformation, informatics education will play a central role in preparing future generations. The new guidelines signal a clear direction to more inclusive and accessible learning environments, stronger focus on real-world applications, increased use of innovative technologies in education, and greater emphasis on critical thinking and digital responsibility.
Projects like Digital First demonstrate how this vision can already be implemented in practice.
Learn More About the European Guidelines
You can explore the full European Commission publication here.