Abstract:

Technological evolution and educational innovation demands contribute to the promotion of pertinent research development and better knowledge transfer to practice. Trying to avoid differences between countries and equal opportunities for citizens, it is important to disseminate international best practices, sharing experiences and successful initiatives to promote in society knowledge improvement. Society -in particular, education systems- interested in endowing their citizen’s skills demanded by 21st century competitive society have committed themselves to place digital literacy in international priorities.
Aware that international inequalities compromise competitiveness and consequently citizen’s quality of life, in this study, research general objective focuses on digital literacy initiatives in international contexts. Our focus will be placed in digital literacy initiatives in six European countries: Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, and United Kingdom. Specific objectives are: to describe Europe regarding to digital literacy initiatives; share good practice and to promote relevant ones. Research methodology was defined from a qualitative approach from the analysis of national reports produced in the framework of the research carried out by the Digital Literacy working group among Cost Action European Literacy Network. Results and their discussion contribute to the presentation of practical recommendations to stakeholders: it is important to define digital literacy national curricula, increase the number of promotional initiatives, the coordination between them and it's evaluation.

Keywords:

Digital literacy, education, best practices, Europe.