Informatics Education at School in Europe
Authors: Ania Bourgeois, Olga Davydovskaia and Sonia Piedrafita Tremosa
Educating students at school in informatics is essential to equip every citizen with the basic knowledge required to participate, influence and contribute to the development of the digital world. Moreover, the digital economy, which is due to play a key role in Europe’s recovery from the pandemic, requires digitally competent citizens and workers.
Informatics is still a relatively new discipline in school education, and the name and focus of the related school subjects vary across European countries. The analysis of existing competence and curricular frameworks and the related learning outcomes in school curricula across Europe can contribute to building a shared understanding and comparability.
This report examines the subjects that, throughout primary and secondary education, include learning outcomes related to informatics in 37 European countries (39 education systems). It also looks at the qualifications of the teachers of these subjects, training programmes and other support measures available to them.
Website: https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/publications/informatics-education-school-europe
How do you use it?
This new Eurydice report provides insights into how informatics can be integrated as a scientific
discipline in school education in Europe. It analyses the status of the discipline as a separate subject or integrated into other subjects, the most common areas covered by the national curricula, and teachers’ qualifications.
I am confident that this report will be of great support to education policymakers across Europe. I also believe that it will be a helpful and inspiring source of information for all stakeholders across the European Union working towards achieving the EU digital skills targets and fostering the digital transformation of our education and training systems.
Why do you like it?
We often make the wrong assumption that young people are naturally digitally savvy and computer literate. Of course, this is not always the case, particularly for those with less opportunities, coming from a disadvantaged background. If we want our youth to become active, responsible and engaged citizens, it is our duty to equip them with the necessary skills. Not only for their own personal developments, but also to secure their place on the labour market.
Target Audience
- Educators Teaching Ages 5-10
- Educators Teaching Ages 11-13
- Educators Teaching Ages 14-18
Resource Submitter
Stamatis Dragoumanos, STEM Outreach Volunteer