Unlocking the power of teachers’ digital competence: a course series to help you thrive in the digital age

In the fast-paced world of education, this course series has been developed for all educators looking to thrive in the digital age. It is built around the European Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigCompEdu) and is made up of six courses, each corresponding to one of the six competence areas in the framework.

Participants will learn about using and creating digital resources responsibly, designing learner-centred experiences supported by technology, and engaging in digital professional collaboration activities. The first course, Professional engagement in digital education, launches on 26 February 2024. Register now to secure your spot in the upcoming courses!

Survey on reinforcing the attractiveness of teacher careers

School education is only possible thanks to teachers. They help children develop essential skills for their future working life and become active and responsible citizens. However, most EU countries struggle to engage young teachers and to keep experienced teachers on the job, which increases the need to reinforce the attractiveness of teacher careers. Whether you are a teacher or policy maker, tell us what you think. Share your views in this short survey by 29 February 2024.

In focus

Citizenship education

Schools can offer children early democratic experiences, both taught and practical; however, this months’ experts, Janis Fifka and Anya Suprunenko from the European Youth Parliament, say that educational institutions often mirror a non-participatory system that inadvertently reinforces passivity. Our news articles this month explore how schools involve children in decision-making in different ways, to ensure that they adopt a democratic mindset, grow into active citizens, and gradually develop a sense of responsibility towards society as a whole. We also look at an issue paper that has identified the main policy-level challenges in the teaching and content of citizenship education across Europe.
Our news articles explore the importance of digital citizenship skills and teaching critical thinking skills from an early age. Our tutorial goes further into the topic by looking at how these skills contribute to media literacy – essential in this European election year. This month’s practice article shows how, ahead of the elections, different projects are activating youth participation. To learn more, see the webinar recording on global citizenship education and a recent short self-paced learning course, ‘Digital citizenship education and democratic participation’.

Courses and webinars

Unless otherwise indicated, the professional development activities are only available in English.

Upcoming online courses:

• Unlocking the power of teachers’ digital competence: Professional engagement in digital education, 26.02.2024
• Fostering cultural awareness through global education, 26.02.2024

Upcoming webinars:

• Effective strategies for parent-teacher communication, 23.02.2024
• Ethical considerations when including children’s perspectives in education, 27.02.2024
• Introduction to PISA: PISA for the European schools, 05.03.2024

Webinar recordings:Exploring global citizenship in the curriculum, 25.01.2024

Latest content

• Practice video: School network to change assessment practices in Oslo
• Publication: Compendium of inspiring practices on inclusive and citizenship education
• Publication: COMPASS – Manual for human rights education with young people
• Publication: OECD Education Spotlights
• Publication: EU citizenship: Rights and Opportunities
• Teaching material: Art in democracy – The European Parliament’s Contemporary Art Collection

Teaching material: CITIZED: Guidelines and toolbox for a whole-school approach in citizenship education