DiLiPoCo -project organised seminar and working meeting on September 12-13, 2023 in Tampere, Finland. The aim of the event was to share knowledge and promote cooperation on digitalisation and digital literacy in schools in the Baltic Sea Region. The event brought together experts from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Sweden to exchange insights and strategies regarding digitalisation and digital literacy practices in schools.
The first day of the event featured presentations on successful digitalisation practices and strategies from across the Baltic Sea Region. Invited experts provided an in-depth look at various aspects of digital literacy and education:
- Swedish and Nordic Strategies for Media Literacy: Participants learned about Swedish and the broader Nordic region’s strategies and practices in promoting media literacy in schools.
- Estonian Digital Competence Model for Teachers: Participants learned about Estonian pioneering digital competence model for teachers, which has served as a benchmark for digital education in the region.
- Danish Practices in Media Fact-Checking: Danish expert shared their experiences and strategies for teaching student’s critical media literacy skills, including fact-checking in a world filled with digital information.
- Latvian Framework for School Digitalization: The Latvian perspective highlighted the digital solutions and new framework for digitalisation in Latvian schools.
Keynote speaker Dr. Lauri Palsa, an education expert from Jyväskylä University, Finland, addressed the audience. His keynote speech delved into the future challenges and opportunities of a highly digitalized world. Dr. Palsa emphasized the importance of creating a common understanding and collaborative participation among individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to navigate the evolving media and technological landscape effectively.
The second day of the event focused on future cooperation among the Baltic Sea Region countries in addressing common challenges related to digital literacy and school digitalization. Participants identified key themes that require joint efforts, including:
- Cybersecurity: Recognizing the increasing importance of cybersecurity in education.
- GDPR Compliance: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) continues to be a crucial concern for educational institutions.
- Tackling Misinformation: Given the proliferation of misinformation online, the event participants engaged in discussions about how schools can equip students with the skills needed to critically evaluate information sources and combat misinformation effectively.
The event concluded with plans for a follow-up meeting later in the year, organised within the framework of the DiLiPoCo project.