On July 2, 2024, the Training Center and School Association of Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde (CFAE-PVVC) in Portugal organized a focus group with the participation of various stakeholders from the educational community within the DIGITAL FIRST project. This event brought together computer science teachers, parents, teachers responsible for digital technology projects, and teachers from other curricular areas.

The main objective of the DIGITAL FIRST project is to develop an innovative approach to teaching computer science in primary and secondary schools. It aims for computer science teaching skills to occupy a central place in the educational process, providing students with innovative pedagogical tools and teaching scenarios adaptable to different European contexts. The emphasis is on using well-known and widely accessible computer resources, avoiding significant additional costs for educational institutions.

The research phase of the project uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods.  These include surveys directed at teachers with experience in teaching computer science to map how computer science is taught in various European countries and what kind of topics are covered. The project partners also organize discussion groups with teachers, parents, NGOs, local authorities and students from various educational levels. These groups aim to identify the level of satisfaction with computer science education and the possible changes needed to improve the educational process.

During the focus groups, three fundamental questions were addressed:

• How are we teaching/learning computer science?
• What are we teaching/learning?
• And how can we improve the teaching/learning of computer science?

The focus group in Portugal proved to be a crucial moment of sharing and reflection. Participants discussed current practices in computer science education, the difficulties faced, and future expectations. Several areas of improvement were identified, such as the need for continuous training for teachers, more effective integration of digital technologies in the curriculum, and increased collaboration between different educational agents. The contributions collected in this focus group will be fundamental for the development of strategies and recommendations within the DIGITAL FIRST project, aiming to create a more effective and inclusive educational environment for learning computer science.

The active and committed participation of the various stakeholders demonstrates the educational community’s commitment to promoting quality digital education and preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century. We look forward to the next steps of the project and future collaborations that will undoubtedly enrich the process of teaching and learning computer science in Portugal and Europe.

This event and its resulting reflections represent an important milestone during the DIGITAL FIRST project, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and dialogue between all educational agents in building a more inclusive and innovative digital future.