Promoting Digital Data Literacy in Primary Education: First Lessons from the DIRECTORS Project

Abstract

Digital literacy skills are paramount today, especially for young people. The Erasmus+ DIRECTORS (DIgital data-dRiven EduCaTion fOR kidS) project aims to promote data literacy in primary education by introducing new teaching methods and materials designed to support curriculum updates. The project targets pupils aged 8−10 and their teachers, focusing on building foundational digital and data skills through hands-on, interactive learning experiences. In 2024, we conducted three workshops of two sessions each in Marija Corica (Croatia) and Delfgauw (the Netherlands): (1) Data in Our Hands (and Mobile Devices), (2) Spatial Data (and Maps) in Our Hands, and (3) Data Sources. The activities encouraged pupils to explore data concepts interactively, using datasets from their immediate environment and transitioning from conceptualizing data in non-digital forms to applying it in digital contexts. The implementation varied between Croatia and the Netherlands, allowing us to compare outcomes due to cultural and infrastructural differences. This paper presents an overview of the workshop design and content, the evaluation results, and the lessons learned. Key takeaways include the necessity of grounding abstract data concepts in tangible, real-world contexts before introducing digital tools. Finally, we discuss future iterations' directions, including better teachers' involvement and addressing technological limitations like device availability and connectivity.