Lessons learned by the ICT cluster education and training 2010 programme

• Knowledge System for Lifelong Learning

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26 July 2010The following paper brings the most significant findings and lessons learned from the Cluster on ICT together in a single report. The report is intended to further disseminate the main conclusions from the ICT cluster discussions. The lessons learned stem from in-depth discussions among the ICT cluster members, feedback from national experts, from evidence of reviews, projects and studies, and from reflections on the school visits during the Peer Learning Activities. Seven PLAs have been undertaken by the participating countries since 2005.

This final report on “Key Lessons Learned by the ICT cluster” emphasises four main themes and two crosscutting topics:

Theme 1: Leadership and institutional change. One major theme which has been on the agenda of each ICT cluster meeting and PLA is the increased mainstreaming of ICT in education and training, both as a support tool and as a driver for change in educational systems and culture. Across the ICT cluster meetings and PLAs, the participating countries described their national e- strategies and how these are implemented in their lifelong learning strategies.

Theme 2: Digital competences as core life and employability skills. The second theme is the increased need for digital competences for the future workforce as well as for citizens in a networked society and how ICT can be an instrument, opening up lifelong learning for all.

Theme 3: Individualisation of learning. The third theme is a scrutiny of pedagogical innovations that ICT could bring in terms of enhancing a more learner-centred approach, an enabler of innovative learning and teaching processes.

Theme 4: Teacher education and training. The forth theme is focusing on the professional development of teachers and school leaders.

Crosscutting topic 1: The first crosscutting topic underlines the importance of enlarging the evidence and indicator base on the use and impact of ICT for learning. It will be addressed in a separate section after the fourth theme.

Crosscutting topic 2: The second crosscutting topic sets out the future of ICT for learning. This topic will be addressed in a separate section at the end of the report, thus functioning both as an outlook and a conclusion. The section can also be read separately, as a summary of the report.

The conclusions will feed into the ongoing policy debates that currently are at the top of the European agenda around lifelong learning, key competencies, creativity and innovation, new skills for new jobs and the discussion on new 'beyond Lisbon' objectives.