A collection of policy documents, research studies, academic papers, articles and other useful information.

 

CompuThink – The Computational Thinking Study

This report from the European Commission can be downloaded from this page (look for the link in the right hand margin)

“The CompuThink study is a forward looking exploration that can contribute to the debate on coding and transversal skills and competences at European and MS level. It also links with the JRC studies on Digital Competence for learners (DigComp), teachers (DigCompTeach) and schools (DigCompOrg).”

 

DigiComp – The Digital Competence Framework 

The framework identifies the key components of digital competence. The framework and conceptual reference model can be viewed here.

1) Information and data literacy: To articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content. To judge the relevance of the source and its content. To store, manage, and organise digital data, information and content.
2) Communication and collaboration: To interact, communicate and collaborate through digital technologies while being aware of cultural and generational diversity. To participate in society through public and private digital services and participatory citizenship. To manage one’s digital identity and reputation.
3) Digital content creation: To create and edit digital content To improve and integrate information and content into an existing body of knowledge while understanding how copyright and licences are to be applied. To know how to give understandable instructions for a computer system.
4) Safety: To protect devices, content, personal data and privacy in digital environments. To protect physical and psychological health, and to be aware of digital technologies for social well-being and social inclusion. To be aware of the environmental impact of digital technologies and their use.
5) Problem solving: To identify needs and problems, and to resolve conceptual problems and problem situations in digital environments. To use digital tools to innovate processes and products. To keep up-to-date with the digital evolution.

Computer Programming goes back to school

Essay exploring the re-emergence of programming in schools, addressing the questions:

  • What is the role of programming in facilitating children’s learning with digital media?
  • How can schools play a more prominent role in supporting such coded production as a veritable new literacy for the 21st century?
  • What are some of the systemic equity issues of access and participation that will need to be addressed?

Full text pdf available here