EMPOWERED aims to develop innovative practices, methods and tools that promote digital empowerment in schools and teacher education. Being ‘digitally empowered’ involves understanding technology and algorithms, exercising critical thinking and digital judgment, and awareness of digital inclusive practices.
‘Digital empowerment’ is the necessary knowledge and competences that students and student teachers need to navigate responsibly in an increasingly changing digital landscape, and is an essential element related to digital and democratic citizenship. Furthermore, this includes understanding and awareness of the mechanisms behind algorithms, the ability to critically assess information, make informed choices, exercise digital judgment, respect and include others, and participate in and contribute to a democratic society.
EMPOWERED is financed by the Research Council of Norway and led by OsloMet. Partners in the project are University of Southeast Norway, University of Oslo, University of Helsinki, Copenhagen University College, teachers from Tenk (the department for education and media literacy in the fact-checking organization faktisk.no) and teachers from Nordre Follo, Denmark and Finland. Methodologically, EMPOWERED has a participatory design approach, which involves close collaboration with teachers and students.
The project is lead by Louise Mifsud, Tonje H. Giæver and Katarina Pajchel (OsloMet)