Abstract:

Possessing knowledge and skills for working with ICT in modern society is one of the main factors for effectively using the existing technological infrastructure. Digital competence is one of the eight key competencies for lifelong learning defined by the European Framework of Reference. Digital competence development at a young age entails achieving high proficiency levels even before the person enters the labour market. In the initial stage of education, information technology and computer modelling lessons are suitable for laying the foundation of digital competence by building students' digital knowledge and skills. The present report focuses on the methods used in the information technology and computer modelling lessons in the primary stage of education to develop students' digital knowledge and skills as a prerequisite for achieving high levels of digital competence in subsequent education in junior high school and high school. Considerable attention is dedicated to the significant role of students’ motivation in the learning process for building digital competence and the importance of independent task-solving by the students outside the lesson's framework. The conclusions in the report were made based on practical work with two groups of IV-grade students - experimental and control, during the academic year 2022/2024.

Keywords:

Digital competence, digital knowledge, digital skills, digital literacy, methods for forming digital competence, Information Technology, computer modelling.