Trust me if you can: From media competence to digital competence

Abstract

Reports about the number of computers in schools, the need for children to learn code, or data privacy issues shape the discussion on education in a digital world. In Germany, almost every debate goes along with the words “too little” and “too slow”. Is this a battle in order to gain public attention? Or do we actually have a serious problem? Traditionally, media competence was the buzzword for such discussions. Today, digital competence is used much more. This article asks to broaden the view and open the debate for a long-term understanding of digitization and its impacts on society and education. Based on reflections on the academic conceptions of media competence, the text discusses the relevance and impact of digital skills. Education in this sense is not limited to children and teenagers, but is essential for persons of all ages. Understanding digital competence as a circle of lifelong learning, it includes individual digital skills, digital social competence, socio-political participation, and employability. People need to trust in their own skills to deal with the changes that our societies are facing. Self-efficacy will be a key resource in the digital world, digital competence can be used as a toolbox to get there.