Digital competence: The SELFIE tool in school development

Abstract

Our environment, including school systems, is constantly changing. Government and educational authorities have responded to the changes brought on by digital technology and its use in teaching and learning. Many policy documents reflect these changes with emphasis on teacher competences, teacher education and professional development. The European Council has developed a framework with a focus on digital competence (DigCompEdu – Digital Competence of Educators) which defines professional and pedagogical competences. A self-reflection tool, based on the DigCompEdu framework, was developed, called SELFIE (Self-reflection on Effective Learning by Fostering the use of Innovative Educational Technologies). The tool helps schools evaluate and reflect on school’s digital capacity. Schools administer a questionnaire where students, teachers and school administrators respond to statements regarding: Leadership, Continuing Professional Development, Teaching and Learning, Assessment Practices, Student Digital Competence and Infrastructure and Equipment. The system automatically provides a detailed report of the results that the schools can use in planning digital practices. In this paper we describe a development project, a collaboration between the Department of Education and Youth at the City of Reykjavík and the University of Iceland School of Education on digital competence in schools. The collaboration team translated and tested the tool which was then made available on the SEFLFIE portal. First experiences of the tool in Icelandic schools are reported. The results indicate that it may be useful for developing schools’ digital competences. The tool encourages discussion about digital practices and professional reflections. It has been regarded as a useful evaluation tool and has provided opportunities for collaboration between schools, regarding professional- and school development regarding digital competences. Further work is planned on action plans with schools and research on the usefulness of the SELFIE tool for Icelandic schools.