DIGITAL FIRST Digital tech as the first language: Informatics for digital natives

About the project

DIGITAL FIRST – Digital tech as the first language: Informatics for digital natives is a groundbreaking project aimed at shaping the future of informatics education in primary and secondary schools across Europe to match the needs of today’s children, the digital natives, born in a digital world and arriving at school education already with a certain level of digital skills.

DIGITAL FIRST calls for a move from a traditional approach in informatics education based on programming languages and technical knowledge to an innovative pedagogical approach focusing on computational thinking to help students learn how to address real-life challenges. This shift in education will encourage the young generation to be “active creators” of the digital world, rather than “passive consumers”.

The project started on 1 December 2023 and will end on 30 November 2026.

Activities

The Digital First project encompasses a diverse range of tasks aimed at fundamentally transforming informatics education across Europe.

Firstly, extensive research and analysis will be conducted to gain insights into the current landscape of informatics education in European schools. This involves examining existing practices and methodologies to identify areas for improvement and innovation.

Building upon this research, the project will be focused on developing and implementing innovative teaching methods in informatics. These methods will be designed to engage students effectively and emphasize practical application, by equipping learners with essential digital skills for the modern world.

Additionally, the project places significant emphasis on defining the competencies required for informatics teachers. By establishing clear guidelines and standards, educators will be better prepared to deliver high-quality informatics education to their students.

Furthermore, the project emphasizes hands-on learning experiences through pilot programs in selected schools. These programs will involve crafting teaching materials, training teachers, and evaluating outcomes to refine and improve teaching practices.

Finally, leveraging insights from learning analytics, the project aims to inform teaching practices and track student progress effectively. By harnessing data-driven insights, educators will be able to adapt their approaches to better meet the needs of their students and foster a more engaging learning environment.

Project consortium

The consortium consists of 15 partners from 10 European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Together, we are dedicated to transforming informatics education in primary and secondary schools across Europe through the DIGITAL FIRST project. By collaborating closely, we aim to develop innovative pedagogical approaches and pilot them in multiple countries, ensuring students are equipped with essential digital skills. Through research, data collection, and the establishment of a competences catalog for informatics teachers, we strive to enhance educators’ knowledge and foster safe digital use among students. By engaging all stakeholders and fostering collaboration, we aspire to influence national policies and EU-level guidelines, shaping the future of digital education in Europe. Together, we empower the next generation to become active creators in the digital world.

SVEUČILIŠTE ALGEBRA (AU), Croatia, the Project Coordinator

SURADNICI U UČENJU (PIL), Croatia,
UNIVERSIDADE DA CORUNA (UDC), Spain,
VILNIUS UNIVERSITY (VU), Lithuania,
TURKU UNIVERSITY (TU), Finland,
UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA (UL), Slovenia,
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SLOVENIA (MES), Slovenia,
OŠ BRATOV POLANČIČEV MARIBOR (PSBP), Slovenia,
OŠ TONETA ČUFARJA (PSTC), Slovenia,
ESCOLA SECUNDARIA DE ROCHA PEIXOTO (ESRP),
PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE (PLH), Greece,
T-HAP (T-HAP), Cyprus,
ISTITUTO TECNICO INDUSTRIALE “FERRARIS PANCALDO” (ITI), Italy,
SECONDARY SCHOOL “ST.ST. CYRIL AND METHODIUS” (CAM), Bulgaria,
ALL DIGITAL (AD), Belgium.

Website

For more information, please visit: https://digitalfirstnetwork.eu/