The DigiTransformEdu project aimed to foster the digital transformation of HE and tertiary VET institutions as its main objective. The main objective was implemented through a six-step approach (operational objectives): 1. Mapping the digital readiness and resilience of educational and training institutions in response to the COVID-19 crisis (Results 1 & 2) 2. Promoting the development of a digital culture by supporting institutional leadership to pursue digital strategy at institutional level (Result 3) 3. Encouraging the digitalisation of educational processes and promoting effective digital-age learning by integrating the DigCompOrg framework (Results 3 & 4) 4. Based on the DigCompEdu framework and the concept for the different roles of educators in an online environment, defining the knowledge and skills needed by the digital educator (Result 5) 5. Raising the digital competence of educators by organising training activities and preparing training materials (Results 5 & 6) 6. Enhancing international networking and cooperation and contributing to the EU Digital Education Action Plan (Result 6 & four MEs).
Digital transformation is one of the key dimensions of modern social, economic, and organisational development in adapting to the increased use of digital technologies, and to the features of the rising digital society and economy. Digital transformation also implies making changes in the strategy, operational model, processes as well as in the organisation’s culture. Due to the experience of digitalisation gained before, during, and after the pandemic, the preconditions were ripe to set up more comprehensive approach to digitalisation. In this respect, there was a recognised need for educational institutions to integrate and effectively use digital technologies in order to achieve their core mission: to educate students to be successful in a complex and interconnected world that faces rapid technological, cultural, economic, informational, and demographic change. Moreover, the pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of education that raised the major need to develop digital readiness and resilience of the institutions. The pandemic also revealed needs related to difficulties for the transition in terms of digital strategy, digital pedagogy and digital competence. Generally, these were the needs the project addressed.