34 The main aspects of information literacy are: * usage skills – the ability to use print and electronic resources, including software; * resource skills – the ability to understand the form, format, location and access methods of information resources; * socio-structural skills – knowledge of how information is socially structured and designed (includes the understanding of the scientific publication process); * research skills – the ability to understand and use appropriate information technology tools to conduct research; * publication skills – the ability to create text or multimedia messages on the study results. Therefore, it is essential in the development of the information society to promote the pre-school education, primary education, secondary education and higher education content, in the meantime integrating e-learning in the national education, including curriculum, assessment of learning outcomes, and teacher professional development. It is particularly important to emphasise the necessary changes in the subject “Informatics (Applied Informatics)” and expand the meaningful use of ICT resources in pre-school curriculum, as well as encourage the strengthening of algorithmic thinking and information literacy and raising teachers’ own level of digital literacy, also for academics to work with e-learning platforms and e-course management. Educators need to build new professional development programmes in accordance with the requirements of the ICT industry both in the relevant business environment and online, providing continuous professional methodological support for the work in innovative learning environments. Important activities have been performed in 2006-2013 development planning period in order to promote the spread of digital learning materials. National Centre for Education has completed two European Social Fund projects “Science and Mathematics”; significant results have been achieved in subjects of natural sciences, in which a significant amount of digital learning materials have been created for 7th-12th class students. Learning materials have been developed for interactive whiteboard “Natural Sciences 1st-6th Class”. In 2013 it is foreseen to develop electronic interactive learning materials in mathematics for 1st-6th class. Support activities in the subject “History of Latvia” in 2011 prepared for the introduction of two electronic learning materials, training film “History of Latvia: 20th Century” and “History of Latvia for 6th-9th Class: Images, Maps, recommendations”. In 2013, e-materials “New World Geographic Atlas” have been delivered to all educational institutions. IS have been created, which allow centrally gather digital learning resources and make them accessible in the educational process. However, the overall availability of digital learning material is still insufficient (for example, in such subjects as Latvian language and literature, social studies, etc.), and there is a lack of teacher training and awareness level regarding the development and utilisation of these materials. Taking into account the close connection between ICT and mathematical competencies, particularly the role and methodology of mathematics should be highly emphasised during curriculum development process for training of future professionals in fields of ICT and natural sciences. Required Actions information_society_development_guidelines_2014_2020.docx; Information Society Development Guidelines 2014-2020

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