Newsletter – Early March 2026

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In this edition, we share an overview of the audiovisual content produced so far. Discover the videos, webinars and podcast episodes that present the goals, activities and results of the Digital First project.

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Podcasts, Videos and Webinars

Through an inspiring mix of podcast episodes, educational videos and informative webinars, the project aims to open a much needed dialogue around the importance of digital competence and computational thinking in today’s world.

These multimedia productions are not simply complementary tools. They are core components of the project’s outreach and dissemination strategy, designed to spark conversations, share best practices and showcase real classroom experiences.

Podcast series

The podcast series offers a platform for thought provoking conversations with a diverse mix of guests, ranging from secondary school teachers and students to university researchers and policy advocates. Five episodes have already been published, while the final episode is now in its closing production phase.

Episode 1: Teaching Informatics and Advocating for a New Education in Europe
Hosted by Petra Bevek from Slovenia’s Ministry of Education, this episode features Uroš Ocepek, an awarded computer science teacher, and Eugenia Casariego Artola from European Schoolnet. Together, they reflect on how teaching informatics can drive educational innovation across Europe. [Link]

Episode 2: Informatics Education Through the Eyes of Students
Recorded in Italian and subtitled in English, this episode flips the narrative by giving students from the Industrial Technical Institute Ferraris Pancaldo the opportunity to share their experiences and expectations around informatics education. [Link]

Episode 3: From Digital Resources to Artificial Intelligence
Hosted by Mário Lima from CFAE-PVVC, this episode brings together academic and publishing experts to explore how digital tools and AI can enrich teaching practices and better prepare students for a technology driven society. [Link]

Episode 4: The Importance of Teaching and Learning Computer Science
In this episode, Dimitria Terzieva and Nadya Stankova from Secondary School “St. st. Cyril and Methodius” speak with students about the importance of teaching and learning computer science in today’s digital world. [Link]

Episode 5: Inclusive and Creative Informatics Learning through Minecraft Education

Hosted by Primary School “Toneta Čufarja Maribor” in Slovenia, this episode explores inclusive and functional learning in informatics through two classroom projects. It begins with a Minecraft Education lesson where students learn coding through building and collaboration, and continues with a digital storytelling project in Scratch, where code becomes a tool for creativity, choice and expression. [Link]

Educational video series

The educational video series provides insights into the importance of informatics education and explores innovative approaches to adapting it to the needs of today’s children.

Video 1: What is Informatics Education?
The first video welcomes viewers into the world of informatics, highlighting its growing relevance, its role in school curricula, and how it supports the development of digital skills. [Link]

Video 2: Transnational Research on the Theory and Practice of Teaching and Learning Informatics
The video presents key research findings on the theory and practice of teaching informatics in primary and secondary schools across 10 EU countries. It seeks to answer the following questions: What do we learn/teach, how do we learn/teach it, and are we happy about it? [Link]

Video 3: Educational Robotics and Functional Informatics
This short film captures the core of the Digital First project by turning computing lessons into hands on, real world challenges. Through educational robotics, students experience coding not as abstract theory but as an engaging way to solve everyday problems. [Link]

Video 4: AI & Ethics for Young Digital Citizens
This video explores what artificial intelligence is, its benefits and risks, and how young people can use it in a responsible and ethical way. It also examines how Europe is working to regulate and supervise AI in order to protect digital citizens. [Link]

Webinar series

The Digital First webinar series aims to share project outcomes, including the current state of teaching informatics and classroom experiences, with a wider audience.

Webinar 1: Digital Tech as the First Language
This session presents findings from the project’s transnational research on how informatics is taught across ten EU countries. Speakers from Vilnius University discuss content, teaching practices and the perceptions of students and parents, offering a comprehensive overview of the current landscape. [Link]

Webinar 2: Dialogue Clubs – A Sustainable Dialogue on Informatics Education
Drawing inspiration from the evolution of foreign language teaching, the project promotes a functionalist approach to informatics, where digital competence is viewed as a horizontal skill essential for personal, educational and professional life. Based on reflections from the project’s Dialogue Clubs, this webinar shares practical insights from educators across Europe and highlights the importance of supporting teachers in adopting future ready practices. [Link]

Webinar 3: From Theory to Practice: Rethinking Informatics Education through the Functionalist Approach
How can informatics education go beyond coding to foster creativity, collaboration and real world problem solving? This webinar introduces the functionalist perspective on informatics education. Rather than focusing solely on technical competences, this approach highlights the multiple roles digital technology plays in everyday life. [Link]

Whether you’re a teacher, policymaker, or simply interested in the future of education, there’s something here for you!

Latest posts from our blog

Discover a selection of recent articles from our project website, offering insights into the current state of informatics education.

Explore the latest developments and join the conversation on this evolving field!

Teacher Training in Portugal

Read more

Bridging the Gap Between Code and Communication:
The Teacher Training Experience in Spain

Read more

Exploring creativity and curiosity: Teacher training in Slovenia

Read more

Croatia introduces an elective AI subject – a step forward, but the real question is how we teach AI

Read more

Meet our partners!

Our project consortium consists of 15 organisations including universities, teacher training centers, primary and secondary schools, NGOs, and a public body from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.

Read more about our partners

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project number: 101132761