Digital First Network Project Meeting Recap: Engaging Two Days at Vilnius University

This September, the Digital First project partner held a project meeting at Vilnius University, bringing together educators, researchers, and digital education experts from across Europe. Over two days, participants worked both in person and online to advance their mission of improving how digital skills are taught in schools.

Day 1: Laying the Groundwork

The meeting opened with a welcome from Vilnius University and an overview of the project timeline and goals, led by Sveučilište Algebra. This session set a clear direction for the discussions ahead, helping participants understand the milestones to aim for.

One of the main highlights was the presentation of preliminary findings on how informatics is taught across ten EU countries. Vilnius University shared insights gathered through surveys and focus groups, offering a snapshot of the state of informatics education. The presentation spurred a valuable discussion about the challenges of teaching a subject that is often treated as optional, and the need to elevate its importance in schools.

The day continued with an engaging Dialogue Clubs workshop, led by Udruga Suradnici u učenju. This hands-on session gave participants a chance to simulate how these clubs will operate, fostering collaborative learning environments where educators can discuss and share ideas on improving informatics education. The focus was on how digital technology helps students express their identities while also navigating issues like privacy and self-expression.

A guided tour of Vilnius University’s historic campus, one of the oldest in Eastern Europe, wrapped up the day. It provided an opportunity for participants to connect and reflect on the day’s work in a more informal setting.

Day 2: Competencies, Communication, and Planning Ahead

The second day began with a deep dive into informatics teacher competencies, led by Univerza v Ljubljani. This session focused on defining the skills that teachers need to effectively teach informatics, ensuring that they are prepared to handle emerging topics like AI and data literacy. It was a forward-looking discussion aimed at creating a framework for developing and supporting teachers across Europe.

Next, All Digital presented an overview of dissemination and communication strategies, emphasizing how the project will share its work and findings with a wider audience. This included plans for social media outreach, podcasts, and videos to ensure the project’s impact extends beyond the consortium. Participants were encouraged to continue their strong collaboration on these efforts.

The day wrapped up with a session on project management and evaluation, led by Algebra University. This session focused on keeping the project on track, summarizing key takeaways from the two days, and outlining the next steps for moving forward.

Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded with a collective sense of accomplishment, as participants thanked Vilnius University for hosting and acknowledged the contributions of both onsite and online attendees. The productive discussions, from teacher training to the rollout of Dialogue Clubs, marked a significant step forward for the Digital First project.

With clear next steps in place, the project team is set to continue its work, driving innovation in informatics education across Europe. Keep an eye out for updates as the network moves forward in its mission to enhance digital education for future generations.

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