DIRECT: DIgital Responsibility EduCation and Training

The aim of DIRECT is to promote the responsible use of digital technologies for the benefit of all members of our society and the environment through education and training. DIRECT will achieve this through the development of various concrete artifacts: (a) a skills- based framework that synthesizes common ethical dilemmas of digitization encountered in practice towards a general digital responsibility (DR) competence; (b) skills-based learning designs that support educators and learners in their DR upskilling; (c) a skills
analytics engine that facilitates individualized learning journeys tailored to specific needs and demands; (d) an integrated web-based learning platform that allows for a seamless, easy-to-use DR learning experience. The project is formed by an engaged consortium that reflects the diversity of educators and learners from schools, higher education, VET and enterprises. Through education and training, DIRECT will reduce the potentially harmful effects that digitization can have for our society and the environment. At the same time, increased knowledge and reduced uncertainty about ethical risks will encourage responsible innovation and entrepreneurship. As a result, the European economy will become more attractive and effective in tackling grand challenges. DIRECT is strengthened by close ties with several EU organizations and a diverse group of supporters to co-create when tackling the objectives and to communicate and disseminate successes and lessons learned. DIRECT’s outcomes will be rolled out through systematic dissemination in participating countries and beyond. Rising public awareness and demand for ethical conduct with digital technologies will support the uptake and sustained exploitation of DIRECT’s results beyond the project lifetime; this is further supported by the ambition of several consortium members to position DR as a market differentiator, as well as to develop a certification service on the basis of DIRECT’s results.