TrainDL - Teacher training for Data Literacy & Computer Science competences

Young people are surrounded by digital technologies every day, making it essential for them to learn how to critically evaluate and effectively use these tools. But how can teachers be supported in optimally preparing their students for the digital world? The TrainDL project, funded by the EU's Erasmus+ program, has developed educational concepts for data literacy (DL) and artificial intelligence (AI) in collaboration with partners from Germany, Austria, and Lithuania. These concepts aim to sustainably integrate DL and AI into teacher training and school education, fostering competitiveness and future-readiness.

Currently, the incorporation of these concepts into school curricula is still in its early stages. TrainDL has helped bridge this gap by working closely with schools and educational institutions to develop and test training programs for teachers in the described partner countries. The practical exercises in these sessions were based on the "didactic double-decker" approach, where teachers engaged with the content in the same way they would later teach it to their students. Additionally, practical teaching and learning materials were created. The University of Potsdam was responsible for evaluating and analyzing these training programs.

Based on the evaluation results, as well as expert discussions, practical experiences, and policy analyses, recommendations were formulated at the end of the project for integrating DL and AI into educational structures and curricula.

The operational project team of TrainDL included the following educational and research institutions and professional associations:

• Gesellschaft für Informatik (project lead)
• Austrian Computer Society
• Vilnius University
• Free University of Berlin
• University of Potsdam

Experts from policy and practice in the national and international education sectors also contributed in an advisory capacity through consortia and workshops.

The project homepage is accessible at: Link.