Teaching & learning in the digital age

28 Oct 2019 12:40 PM

Last friday (25 October 2019) marked one year since the launch of SELFIE (Self-reflection on Effective Learning by Fostering Innovation through Educational technology), the European Commission's free online tool that helps schools assess and improve the ways they use technology for teaching and learning. Over 450,000 students, teachers and school leaders in 45 countries have used the tool so far, and this figure is expected to exceed 500,000 by the end of 2019.

Commenting on the first anniversary, Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, responsible for the Joint Research Centre, said: 

“I am pleased that the SELFIE tool is being used in so many diverse schools, helping teachers and students discuss how best to use new technologies in teaching and learning, and boosting their digital skills. Schools themselves are learning organisations, and with SELFIE they can take stock of where they are at on their digital journey and set their future course.”

SELFIE is continuously being improved through user testing and gathering feedback from schools. New features include a video guide for schools on setting up and customising the tool and the possibility of comparing results to previous SELFIE exercises in the same school. The European Commission is also reaching out to and raising awareness among schools to increase uptake, for example through eTwinning, the world's largest teachers' platform, and EU Code Week. In 2020, further support and training materials will be developed, including a Massive Open Online Course for schools on SELFIE and how its results can be used by teachers to improve teaching and learning with the support of digital technologies. A version of SELFIE for work-based vocational education and training is also due to start in January 2020.

Click here for the full press release