IT University of Copenhagen launches new center to do research on how to boost digital competences among students

Many people get nervous even at thought of learning about computing, e.g., a programming language. But does it really have to be that way? Join the official opening of Center for Computing Education Research at the IT University of Copenhagen on Thursday November 5th and learn more about how we can ensure that students get competent in computational thinking.

Written October 27, 2020 3:09 PM by Jari Kickbusch

Center for Computing Education Research (CCER) in short
The Center for Computing Education Research (CCER) aims to promote students’ understanding of technology and increase their desire to learn about IT at a time when there is a shortage of digital competences. The center, which officially opens on Thursday the 5th of November, is based at the IT University of Copenhagen, where an interdisciplinary research group will conduct research that will pave the way for more students to not only become familiar with IT subjects such as programming, IT security, artificial intelligence (AI), but also to learn how these subjects affect our everyday lives and the society we live in.

The researchers behind the CCER aim at generating knowledge about learning methods in the digital age in order to provide a good foundation for developing teaching at universities as well as in primary schools, high schools, colleges, etc. The Ministry of Higher Education and Science's recently awarded the head of the center, associate professor Claus Brabrand, for his ability to create enthusiasm for IT subjects among students at the IT University and other educational institutions. The prize was presented by HRH Crown Princess Mary and the Minister of Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen.

“I hope that other universities and educational institutions will benefit from the center's work on how to learn and think digital competencies as broadly, holistically and interdisciplinary as possible. The challenge is not only to teach people to use digital technologies, but also to be able to modify the technology, and to create using digital competences. We must all learn to bend the technology to our own purposes, so that we do not become slaves to the technology as others have created it for us,” says Claus Brabrand and explains that it should be ensured that everyone who enters the labor market as a minimum has an idea of what you can and cannot do with digital technology:

“Almost everything is gradually being digitized and it's important to ensure that those programming these things are representative of the entire population, so that it is not a case of the few making decisions for the many. I hope CCER can help create a broad understanding that digital solutions indeed impact the real world in both intentional and unintentional ways. For example, how a small like-function on Instagram suddenly can have major impact on what people do in the real world.”

For further information about Center for Computing Education Research: https://ccer.itu.dk/

About the official opening of CCER
Due to Covid-19, the official opening of Center for Computing Education Research will take place online. It is not required to sign up for the event. All you have to do, is to click on the livestream link, which will be available on CCER's webpage: https://ccer.itu.dk/


Programme of the CCER opening

Further information

Jari Kickbusch, phone 7218 5304, email jark@itu.dk