Page 22 - PR5_Toolkit_EN

4.ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING LEARNERS INTO THE DIGITAL STRATEGY

This section provides tips on how to engage and support learners in the digital strategy.

The most efficient way to engage digital learners into the online platform you prepared with so
much effort is to use creative tools. The students will no longer be a passive consumer of digital
courses but will be involved in the creative process of the learning unit that will help him acquire
and develop the necessary skills for living in today's digitalized world. The students’ interest will rise
when they will be able to set and follow specific learning goals, being able to create something new
on the way.

Engaging and supporting digital learners should take into consideration several areas of interest:

1) Identify the students’ passions and subjects of interest and try to adapt the content you are
preparing to match with their expectations so that they will be more receptive to your

courses,
2) Try to imagine how it is to live in your students’ world and try to connect with them as much
as possible at their level. Do not deliver only information. Do your best to adapt this
information to what they are doing in the real world so that this will best answer their needs,
3) Try to involve learners in the process of creating instructional materials by using their
experience so that they feel valued for their time, effort, and expertise.

The digital strategy can have an impact on different areas with positive outcomes for the end users,
22
either students or trainers:

1) Easy access to learning for all types of potential students, including those with difficulties in
taking part in traditional courses (employed people, people with disabilities or cultural
issues),
2) Increased quality of learning because digital technologies allow and motivate people to
engage more, even the ones that not usually collaborate during traditional classes,
3) Relevance of learning by using special online tools that can evaluate digital competencies in
real life situations.

Engaging learners is mostly about finding a meaning for the technology use. If the students will find
using technology useful for improving their lives and their communities, the digital strategy may be
considered a success.

4.1 ITALY

National and international data on the development of the digital economy and society indicate that
the Italian population suffers from a significant lack of digital skills. The lack of digital skills is among
the main obstacles to the development of Italy. Overcoming this limit should be a priority since:

o It has a negative impact both on the provision of digital services by the public and

private sectors, and citizens’ access and use,