Why Digital Competency Matters Now What Research in Spain and the UK Tells Us About Computing in Schools

If you are a parent you do not need reminding that our children are growing up in a world powered by technology. From homework apps to AI chatbots digital life is now simply life. But schools in Spain and the UK are still working out the best way to teach the computing skills young people will need for learning work and everyday living.

Recent research shows one message cl

early. Digital competency is no longer optional. It is becoming as essential as reading and maths.

So what does this mean for our children And are schools keeping up

Lets take a look.

What Do We Mean by Digital Competency

Digital competency refers to much more than knowing how to use a tablet or type quickly. In Europe schools use the DigComp framework which breaks digital learning into areas such as

• finding and evaluating information

• communicating safely online

• creating digital content including coding

• protecting personal data

• solving problems using technology

Spain has adopted this approach through curriculum reforms under LOMLOE and the UK now embeds similar digital skills within its computing and media literacy curricula.

In short digital competency means being confident safe and creative in a digital world.

How Are Children in Spain Doing

A recent Spanish study found that many students are comfortable with everyday digital tasks such as searching online or using classroom apps but struggle with more complex skills including programming troubleshooting and understanding digital safety in depth Fraile 2025.

Another study with Spanish primary children showed that when digital skills are taught systematically students digital competency improves significantly Bueno Baquero 2025. This supports what many teachers already know. Technology works best when it is planned taught explicitly and built into the curriculum.

The UK Picture A Helpful Comparison

In the UK research shows similar patterns. The Education Endowment Foundation reports that technology can have a strong positive impact only when teachers receive the right training and when digital tools genuinely support learning goals not when they are used as a gimmick EEF 2021.

A major UK review also found wide differences in digital skills between schools depending on funding teacher confidence and access to devices DfE 2022. Unsurprisingly schools with strong professional development in computing saw the biggest gains in student progress.

Both countries point to the same conclusionTeacher confidence is one of the biggest indicators of whether a school succeeds in digital learning.

The Teacher Challenge What Research Shows

Multiple studies reveal that teachers often believe their digital skills are higher than they really are Dominguez Gonzalez et al 2025. Many feel confident using technology for their own tasks but less confident teaching coding digital safety or online research skills.

UK teacher surveys echo this. Many teachers say computing is the subject they feel least prepared to teach especially in primary schools where one teacher leads every subject CAS 2023.

This matters because

• children learn best when adults feel confident

• computing changes rapidly so teachers need ongoing support not just one off workshops

  
  

Why This Matters for Parents

Digital competency is not simply about creating future programmers although that is great too. It is about raising young people who can

• spot misinformation

• protect their data and wellbeing online

• participate confidently in school and work

• understand how technology shapes the world

• adapt to jobs that do not yet exist

In Spain inspection findings show that computing is often an area needing rapid improvement. Many schools are strengthening their curriculum investing in training and updating their digital policies although progress varies.

As a parent you might want to ask

• How do you teach digital safety across the year groups

• Is coding taught every year and by whom

• How do you support teachers to stay up to date with technology

• Do pupils learn to evaluate online information critically

• How do you balance digital learning with healthy screen habits

Good schools whether British bilingual international or state will have clear confident answers.

What Comes Next A Shared Priority

Spain and the UK both recognise that digital competency is a cornerstone of modern education.

For schools this means

• clear computing pathways from early years to secondary

• strong curriculum design

• long term investment in teacher training

• safe and thoughtful use of digital tools and AI

• equal access so all children benefit

For parents it means staying informed and engaged because digital skills are now a key part of literacy wellbeing and future opportunity.

References

Bueno Baquero A. 2025. Boosting digital competence Impact of an educational program on Spanish primary students. Educational Technology Research and Development.

Computing at School CAS. 2023. Annual teacher survey on computing education. CAS BCS.

Department for Education DfE. 2022. Review of digital technology in schools. UK Government.

Dominguez Gonzalez M A. Luque de la Rosa A. Hervas Gomez C. and Roman Gravan P. 2025. Teacher digital competence Keys for an educational future through a systematic review. Contemporary Educational Technology 17 2 ep577.

Education Endowment Foundation EEF. 2021. Using digital technology to improve learning. EEF Guidance Report.

Fraile M N. 2025. Development of digital competence in secondary education. University of Navarra Press.