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Modern labor markets are largely
fluid by nature, and require creativity, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, in an ever-changing environment - these are the skills that
the traditional education systems do
not offer, and they are, on the other
hand, very difficult to measure.
As more and more aspects of the
modern economy become enormously reliant on the Internet and technology, the demand for advanced
ICT skills is also rising. Although,
compared to total numbers, proportionally small fraction of the labor
force of the future will be directly
involved in, for example, software
development or system design, it is
still important to introduce children
in classrooms with programming
and basic concepts of ICT, because it
can and should influence their future career choice.
Nowadays, we can witness how digital technologies can help both teachers and students – enabling teamwork in classrooms via Internet,
through applications that stimulate
creativity and problem solving, all
the way to the educational video
games. The development of skills
starts at the very birth and lasts
throughout the whole life, and therefore technologies must find their
place in the system of education.
European
context
The Digital Agenda for Europe calls
for the introduction of e-education in
the national policies and programs,
in order to modernize education and
training, including the curriculum,
the evaluation of knowledge acquired, as well as the professional development of the teachers and educators.
The European Commission estimates that e-education is not sufficiently represented in education and
educational policies of the Member
States. Although education and learning represent segments of the national policies that are the responsibility of the Member States, the European Union is authorized to support
the States in their efforts to modernize education and training systems,
particularly through the promotion
of exchange of good practice, as well
as through the support for research
and studies that deal with the efficient use of the ICT in teaching.
There are many benefits of e-education: acquiring new skills, adopting
new teaching methods, the individualization of learning and teaching according to the needs of the students
and teachers, the diversity and richness of teaching and learning styles,
the innovative teaching practices
that encourage cooperation, effective training of the workforce, but also