2. Competencies for the digital life

 

Being digitally competent is increasingly becoming important in our lives. Looking into the future, there are intensive talks about future jobs and predictions on how many jobs will still be left for humans to do – the discussion especially relevant for young people now. Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers (studied by a group of researchers from Oxford and Yale University^[1])  believe that in many areas machines will be better than humans quite soon (by 2024 machines will be better in translating languages, by 2027 in driving a truck, by 2049 in writing a bestselling book etc.). Even if one approaches the predictions about humans losing their jobs to machines with deserved skepticism (looking back technology has created more jobs than it has wiped out) it is clear, that competencies connected with the digital technologies are increasingly necessary for young people – not just for widening job opportunities, but also for living in increasingly digital world.

This chapter is dedicated to the digital competencies – what are they, who defines the competencies and how could the competence frameworks be used.

In this chapter:

2.1. Defining digital competencies in the European Union

The article looks at how the Euroepan Digital Competemcies framework has been created and developed further; it also includes the list of defined 21 competecies in 5 areas.

2.2. Recognition of learning in the digital age

Brief look into learning in the digital age and the tools for recognition of this learning.