The DIGITAL FIRST project proposes a new approach to teaching computer science, in which the function of computer skills is in the foreground and serves as the ultimate goal of the educational process. By emphasising functional understanding and problem-solving skills, the project aims to empower students to become active creators rather than passive consumers of the digital world. Innovative pedagogical approaches view digital technology as the first language of digital natives and improve traditional approaches to teaching computer science by applying Halliday’s seven functions of a child’s language: personal, informative, interactional, instrumental, imaginative, heuristic and regulatory.
One of the project’s aims is to involve all stakeholders in shaping the future of IT education through dialogue clubs, which will be organised in each country where the project is implemented.
Dialogue Clubs are platforms for the joint creation of a sustainable dialogue about teaching informatics, the new role and competencies of teachers and the integration of effective pedagogical approaches in teaching. The Dialogue Clubs encourage participants to analyse current pedagogical approaches, strategies and curricula in informatics education to identify gaps in knowledge transfer. The ultimate aim of this dialogue is to establish inclusive and supportive environments for learning and teaching and create space for dialogue on the effectiveness and evaluation of different pedagogical approaches, aligned with current trends and needs that require education in the face of rapid technological development. In dialogue clubs, pedagogical strategies for applying each of Halliday’s seven functions of child language in the classroom will be discussed, as well as methods of assessment.
So far, three dialogue clubs have been held in Croatia where teachers discussed important topics for supporting students in solving real-life challenges.