As Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, stated: "We need to invest more in the development and use of ICTs in schools. Europe will only resume sustained growth by producing highly skilled ICT graduates and workers who can contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship".
According to the Commission’s survey, 20% of secondary students in the EU27 have never or almost never used a computer in their school lessons. In addition, only one in four 9 year olds and half of 16 year olds study at a 'highly digitally-equipped school' – with recent equipment, fast broadband and high 'connectivity'.
Moreover, significant country differences regarding ICT in schools are observed. Scandinavian and Nordic countries have the best equipment (Sweden, Finland, Denmark), while students in Poland, Romania, Italy, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia are most likely to lack the right equipment.
Consequently, the study recommends the adoption of an integrated approach to ICT teaching in schools, meaning greater investment in teachers' training, rewards for teachers using ICT in the classroom, as well as the creation of ICT coordinator posts. Finally, the Commission should work to promote equal ICT teaching opportunities for all countries, support projects on new approaches to teaching through digital technologies, create high quality digital learning resources for teachers and regularly monitor progress in the use of digital technologies and digital competence.
---
Autor(en)/Author(s): Elena Ralli
Quelle/Source: New Europe, 19.04.2013
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
