As many readers will know, the European Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigCompEdu) is a framework setting out what it means for educators to be digitally competent. It was developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission in 2017 and outlines the key competences educators need to harness the potential of digital tools, from enhancing teaching and learning to fostering digital citizenship among pupils.

The framework is structured around six areas, including digital resources, teaching and learning, assessment and professional engagement and six proficiency levels. It's not about mastering specific digital tools, but about how educators of all subjects and at all education levels can use digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning and assessment.

The AI Pioneers project developed a supplement to the Framework, identifying competences around AI especially focused at teachers and trainers in Vocational Education and Training. The need to update the Framework has been recognised for some time. Since the publication of the framework in 2017, the digital landscape has evolved, bringing new opportunities, challenges and also risks for educators across all sectors. Emerging technologies – particularly artificial intelligence – are impacting how teaching and learning take place. At the same time, pedagogical approaches such as blended and hybrid learning, which became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, have become more common in education systems.

There is also growing awareness of the broader impact of digitalisation on learners, says the EU in a recent news item Concerns around mental health, online safety and screen time highlight the need for educators to promote healthy digital habits and support pupils’ wellbeing. In parallel, the rise of disinformation and fake news has made critical digital literacy more essential than ever. Educators are increasingly called on to help learners navigate digital environments safely and think critically about the information they encounter online.

The EU says a core team of experts from across Europe, supported by an advisory board, will lead the update over the coming 12 months. The process will include consultation workshops and surveys with educators and other stakeholders to gather a wide range of perspectives. They believe the participatory approach will help ensure that the updated framework responds to the needs of educators and those organisations and bodies that support them, while remaining grounded in the practical contexts of teaching and learning.