Digital economy

New report on #DigitalEducation shows upward trends in Europe's schools

Published

7 years ago

September 12, 2019

The European Commission's Eurydice network published a report today (12 September) that maps the state of digital education in schools across Europe. The report looks at how digital competences are taught and assessed.

It also gives an overview of the digital skills of teachers, the policies designed to support digital education and the use of technology in large-scale national tests. Half of the education systems reviewed are currently reforming curricula as regards digital competences, either by including the topic for the first time, giving the subject more prominence or updating curricula to include, for instance, new or different elements of coding, computational thinking or online safety.

Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Commissioner Tibor Navracsics said: “I welcome today's report which shows that schools across Europe are making progress in using new technologies in teaching and learning. I am particularly pleased to see the growing number of initiatives to support teachers in using technology in the classroom, an area we will address at the Second European Education Summit on 26 September. We know that teachers play a crucial role in improving the digital competences of young people and in ensuring that technology is used in purposeful ways to make learning more relevant, engaging and fit for the digital age.”

Two-thirds of education systems reviewed recognize the importance of teachers' digital skills, and most countries provide training for teachers, although guidance is lacking on how to assess pupils' digital skills in the classroom. While most countries have put in place strategies for digital education, few monitor and evaluate these strategies in a systematic and regular way.

Supporting member states in harnessing technology in education and developing digital skills of teachers and learners are central to the Commission's Digital Education Action Plan, which includes 11 actions to encourage and support innovation in education.

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