Digital Competences and Pedagogical Traditions in Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55707/ds-po.v40i3-4.199Keywords:
blended learning, digital competences, digital transformation, pedagogical traditions, teacher’s roleAbstract
This paper explores the integration of digital technologies with traditional pedagogical approaches in the context of contemporary education. It underscores the importance of preserving core educational values, such as emotional support and holistic development, while adopting digital tools. The study highlights both the opportunities and the challenges of the digital transformation of education, including issues such as digital inequality and a lack of digital skills. Special emphasis is placed on teacher training, the role of digital platforms, and international examples of good practice, such as Estonia’s AI Leap 2025 initiative. Combining traditional and digital methods supports the development of 21st-century competences and fosters inclusive, flexible, and innovative learning environments. The paper advocates a balanced model that integrates technology into teaching while maintaining the essential human dimension of education.
References
1. Abd-Rabo, A. M., & Hashaikeh, S. A. (2021). The digital transformation revolution. International Journal of Humanities and Educational Research, 3(4), 124–128. https://doi.org/10.47832/2757-5403.4-3.11
2. Ala-Mutka, K. (2011). Mapping digital competence: Towards a conceptual understanding. Publications Office of the European Union.
3. Baran, E., Canbazoglu Bilici, S., Sari, A., & Tondeur, J. (2019). Investigating the impact of teacher education strategies on preservice teachers’ TPACK. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(1), 357–370. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12668
4. CARNET. (2023, September 22). Projektom e-Škole uspješno digitalizirane sve škole u Hrvatskoj. https://www.carnet.hr/projektom-e-skole-uspjesno-digitalizirane-sve-skole-u-hrvatskoj/
5. CARNET. (n. d.). e-Sveučilišta. https://www.carnet.hr/projekt/e-sveucilista/
6. Carter, A. G., Creedy, D. K., & Sidebotham, M. (2016). Efficacy of teaching methods used to develop critical thinking in nursing and midwifery undergraduate students: A systematic review of the literature. Nurse Education Today, 40, 209–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.03.010
7. De Vries, P., Klaassen, R., Ceulemans, D., & Ioannides, M. (2019). Emerging technologies in engineering education: Do we need them, and can we make them work? 4TU.Centre for Engineering Education. https://www.4tu.nl/cee/publications/emerging-technologies-report.pdf
8. Delors, J. (1996). Learning: The treasure within. UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000109590
9. DiMaggio, P., Hargittai, E., Neuman, W. R., & Robinson, J. P. (2001). Social implications of the internet. Annual Review of Sociology, 27(1), 307–336. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.27.1.307
10. Du Toit, J., & Verhoef, A. H. (2018). Embodied digital technology and transformation in higher education. Transformation in Higher Education, 3(0), a52. https://doi.org/10.4102/the.v3i0.52
11. Education Estonia. (2025). Estonia launches AI Leap 2025 to transform education. https://www.educationestonia.org/estonia-launches-ai-leap-2025-to-transform-education/
12. Education Estonia. (n. d.). Tiger Leap: Estonia's digital leap in education. https://www.educationestonia.org/tiger-leap/
13. Education Finland. (2024). Digitalization in education. https://www.educationfinland.fi/edudev/digitalization
14. European Commission. (2018). Council Recommendation of 22 May 2018 on key competences for lifelong learning (2018/C 189/01). EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/HR/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018H0604(01)
15. European Parliament & Council of the European Union. (2006). Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 on key competences for lifelong learning (2006/962/EC). Official Journal of the European Union, L 394/10. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006H0962%28EN%29
16. European Parliament. (2021). Digital Markets Act: Ending unfair practices of big online platforms. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20211118IPR17636/digital-markets-act-ending-unfair-practices-of-big-online-platforms
17. European Commission. (2009). Strategic framework for education and training 2020 (ET2020). Official Journal of the European Union, 2009/C 119/02. Luxembourg: European Commission.
18. European Commission. (2021a). European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/european-pillar-social-rights-building-fairer-and-more-inclusive-european-union/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en
19. European Commission. (2021b). Europe’s Digital Decade: Digital targets for 2030. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/europes-digital-decade-digital-targets-2030_en
20. European Commission. (2022). European framework for the digital competence of educators: DigCompEdu. Publications Office of the European Union.
21. European Parliament, Council of the European Union & European Commission. (2023). European declaration on digital rights and principles for the digital decade. Official Journal of the European Union, C 23, 3–7. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/HR/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:C:2023:023:FULL
22. Ferrés, J., Masanet, M.-J., & Mateus, J.-C. (2018). Three paradoxes in the approach to educational technology in the education studies of the Spanish universities. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 15(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-018-0097-y
23. Fung, D. C. L., To, H., & Leung, K. (2016). The influence of collaborative group work on students’ development of critical thinking: The teacher’s role in facilitating group discussions. Pedagogies: An International Journal, 11(2), 146–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/1554480X.2016.1159965
24. Green, K. R., Pinder‐Grover, T., & Millunchick, J. M. (2012). Impact of screencast technology: Connecting the perception of usefulness and the reality of performance. Journal of Engineering Education, 101(4), 717–737. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2168-9830.2012.tb01126.x
25. Grosseck, G., & Bran, R. (2016). Script towards research 2.0: The influence of digital and online tools in academic research. World Journal on Educational Technology: Current Issues, 8(2), 132–138. https://doi.org/10.18844/wjet.v8i2.676
26. Hartong, S. (2022). The complexities of understanding the datafication of schooling: Disentangling infrastructures, people and practices. In Proceedings of the Conference ‘Digital Education Governance beyond International Comparative Assessments: Complex Histories, Contested Presents, and Contingent Futures’ (pp. 25–26 May 2022). Virtual.
27. Hodges, C., Moore, S., Lockee, B., Trust, T., & Bond, A. (2020). The difference between emergency remote teaching and online learning. Educational Review, 27, 1–12.
28. Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2023). Artificial intelligence in education. Globethics Publications. https://doi.org/10.58863/20.500.12424/4276068
29. Hong, C., & Ma, W. W. K. (2020). Introduction: Education 4.0: Applied degree education and the future of work. In C. Hong & W. Ma (Eds.), Applied degree education and the future of work (pp. 1–10). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3142-2_1
30. Hrastinski, S. (2019). What do we mean by blended learning? TechTrends, 63(5), 564–569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-019-00375-5
31. Ilomäki, L., Paavola, S., Lakkala, M., & Kantosalo, A. (2016). Digital competence: An emergent boundary concept for policy and educational research. Education and Information Technologies, 21(3), 655–679. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-014-9346-4
32. Kumar, A., Krishnamurthi, R., Bhatia, S., Kaushik, K., Ahuja, N. J., & Nayyar, A. (2021). Blended learning tools and practices: A comprehensive analysis. IEEE Access, 9, 85151–85197. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3085844
33. Instefjord, E., & Munthe, E. (2016). Preparing pre-service teachers to integrate technology: An analysis of the emphasis on digital competence in teacher education curricula. European Journal of Teacher Education, 39(1), 77–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2015.1100602
34. Johnson, M. B. (2023). An analysis of digital learning tools' usage and their effectiveness among secondary school students. Research study, New York University. Retrieved February 15, 2025, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387534381_An_Analysis_of_Digital_Learning_Tools'_Usage_and_Their_Effectiveness_Among_Secondary_School_Students
35. Kamalov, F., Santandreu Calonge, D., & Gurrib, I. (2023). New era of artificial intelligence in education: Towards a sustainable multifaceted revolution. Sustainability, 15(16), Article 12451. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612451
36. Krumsvik, R. J. (2008). Situated learning and teachers’ digital competence. Education and Information Technologies, 13(3), 279–290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-008-9069-5
37. Lankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2015). Digital literacy and digital literacies: Policy, pedagogy and research considerations for education. Nordic Journal of Digital Literacy, 4, 8–20. https://doi.org/10.18261/ISSN1891-943X-2015-Jubileumsnummer-02
38. Lee, A. S. H., & Lim, T.-M. (2011). Enhance task-technology fit model by task categorization characteristics for a proposed knowledge creation and sharing model via weblogs. In 2011 7th International Conference on Information Technology in Asia (pp. 1–6). https://doi.org/10.1109/CITA.2011.5999505
39. Livingstone, K. (2016). Teacher education’s role in educational change. European Journal of Teacher Education, 39(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2016.1135531
40. Livingstone, S., Bober, M., & Helsper, E. J. (2005). Active participation or just more information? Young people’s take up of opportunities to act and interact with the internet. Information, Communication & Society, 8(3), 287–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691180500259103
41. Martin, A. (2006). Literacies for the digital age: Preview of part I. In A. Martin & D. Madigan (Eds.), Digital literacies for learning (pp. 3–25). Facet Publishing. https://doi.org/10.29085/9781856049870.003
42. Miralles-Martínez, P., Gómez-Carrasco, C. J., Arias, V. B., & Fontal-Merillas, O. (2019). Digital resources and didactic methodology in the initial training of history teachers. Comunicar, 61, 45–56. https://doi.org/10.3916/C61-2019-04
43. Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9620.2006.00684.x
44. Montessori, M. (1912). The Montessori method: Scientific pedagogy as applied to child education in "The Children's Houses". Frederick A. Stokes Company. https://doi.org/10.1037/13054-000
45. Norton, A., Shroff, S., & Edwards, N. (2020). Digital transformation: An enterprise architecture perspective. Publish Nation Limited.
46. OECD. (2021). 21st-Century readers: Developing literacy skills in a digital world. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/a83d84cb-en
47. Owston, R. (2018). Empowering learners through blended learning. International Journal on E-Learning, 17(1), 65–83.
48. Pires, M. D. J. (2019). Gaokao: Far more than an exam. Revista Diadorim, 21(3), 168–185. https://doi.org/10.35520/diadorim.2019.v21nEspa27418
49. Pohl, D., Bouchachia, A., & Hellwagner, H. (2018). Batch-based active learning: Application to social media data for crisis management. Expert Systems with Applications, 93, 232–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2017.10.026
50. Pérez-Escoda, A., García-Ruiz, R., & Aguaded, I. (2019). Dimensions of digital literacy based on five models of development. Cultura y Educación, 31(2), 232–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/11356405.2019.1603274
51. Redecker, C., & Punie, Y. (2017). European framework for the digital competence of educators: DigCompEdu. Publications Office of the European Union
52. Redecker, C., & Punie, Y. (2019). European framework for the digital competence of educators: DigCompEd. Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/159770
53. Retelj, A. (2022). Digitalne zmožnosti učiteljev tujih jezikov po pandemiji covida-19. Didactica Slovenica – Pedagoška obzorja, 37(3-4), 23–37. https://www.dspo.si/index.php/dspo/article/view/89
54. Rodríguez, J. (2013). A look at traditional and humanist pedagogy. University Presence.
55. Rodríguez-Hevía, L. F., Navío-Marco, J., & Ruíz-Gómez, L. M. (2020). Citizens’ involvement in e-government in the European Union: The rising importance of digital skills. Sustainability, 12(17), Article 6807. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176807
56. Sevnarayan, K. (2022). Reimagining eLearning technologies to support students: On reducing transactional distance at an open and distance eLearning institution. E-Learning and Digital Media, 19, 421–439. https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530221096535
57. Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Macmillan.
58. Staker, H., & Horn, M. B. (2012). Classifying K-12 blended learning. Innosight Institute.
59. Steiner, R. (1996). The education of the child: And early lectures on education. Anthroposophic Press.
60. Stofkova, J., Poliakova, A., Stofkova, K. R., Malega, P., Krejnus, M., Binasova, V., & Daneshjo, N. (2022). Digital skills as a significant factor in human resource development. Sustainability, 14(20), Article 13117. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013117
61. Tavoosy, Y., & Jelveh, R. (2019). Language teaching strategies and techniques used to support students learning in a language other than their mother tongue. International Journal of Learning and Teaching, 11(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.18844/ijlt.v11i2.3831
62. Tourón, J., Martín, D., Navarro Asencio, E., Pradas, S., & Íñigo, V. (2018). Construct validation of a questionnaire to measure teachers’ digital competence (TDC). Revista Española de Pedagogía, 76, 25–54. https://doi.org/10.22550/REP76-1-2018-02
63. Tømte, C., Kårstein, A., Enochsson, A.-B., & Buskqvist, U. (2015). Educating online student teachers to master professional digital competence: The TPACK-framework goes online. Computers & Education, 84, 26–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2015.01.006
64. Türkeli, S., & Schophuizen, M. (2019). Decomposing the complexity of value: Integration of digital transformation of education with circular economy transition. Social Sciences, 8(8), Article 243. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8080243
65. Van Deursen, A. J. A. M., Van Dijk, J. A. G. M., & Peters, O. (2011). Rethinking internet skills: The contribution of gender, age, education, internet experience, and hours online to medium- and content-related internet skills. Poetics, 39(2), 125–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poetic.2011.02.002
66. Vekić-Kljaić, V., Pongračić, L., & Lučić, J. (2022). Razvoj socialnih kompetenc učencev po pandemiji. Didactica Slovenica – Pedagoška obzorja, 37(3-4), 38–51. https://www.dspo.si/index.php/dspo/article/view/90
67. Vuorikari, R., Kluzer, S., & Punie, Y. (2022). DigComp 2.2: The digital competence framework for citizens – with new examples of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Publications Office of the European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/115376
68. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
69. Wang, Y. (2022). A comparative study on the effectiveness of traditional and modern teaching methods. In Proceedings of the 2022 International Conference on Education and Learning (pp. 245–250). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-89-3_32
70. Yang, H. (2023). How I use ChatGPT responsibly in my teaching. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-01026-9
71. Zhang, W., & Zhu, C. (2020). Blended learning as a good practice in ESL courses compared to F2F learning and online learning. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 12(1), 64–81. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJMBL.2020010105
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ružica Filipović, Mario Dumančić

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


