DIDACTIC MODELS IN DIGITAL EDUCATION

REFLECTIONS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This paper aims to reflect on the importance of digital didactics in digital educational processes in higher education (HE). It seeks to provide a general overview of the state of the discussion on digital didactics, specifically the concept of digital didactics, the relevance of specific didactic models for digital educational environments, and the need for teacher training in this field. Literature shows that there still is a gap between the wide range of educational technologies available and the didactic knowledge necessary to effectively use of ICT in teachers' professional practice. This paper also includes an overview of our doctoral project in Digital Didactics taking place at University of León (Spain), with two important objectives in mind: to ascertain and classify the most prevalent didactic models and methods used in digital education in the international literature, and to understand whether the existing training programs in three higher education institutions, in countries such as Portugal, Spain and Finland, are adequate and encourage the adoption of active models and methods in digital education. Based on a mixed cross-sectional type design the project will be conducted in two main phases: a systematic literature review about digital didactics, followed by data collection through a survey and interviews, statistical analysis and content analysis on teacher training programs in HE and the use of didactic models/methods in digital education at three HE institutions.