The international study Icils 2023 was recently presented and showed that four out of ten Swedish eighth-graders do not reach basic knowledge in computer and information literacy. Three out of ten have low or very low skills in the basics of programming.
But what should an eighth-grader be able to do? No test can clearly define exactly what is taught in all different school systems around the world. But the responsible research organization IEA has developed a framework in consultation with experts from each country, with over 30 countries participating. The framework boils down to concrete tasks for the students.
Open a link
Here are some examples from the part that deals with digitally searching, evaluating, processing, and presenting information. The tasks get harder and harder.
Can you do these?
Level 1:
Open a link in a web browser.
Note the main message from a video.
Level 2:
Find information on a website with multiple web pages.
Insert information into a specific cell in a spreadsheet.
Level 3:
Evaluate the reliability of information on a website where anyone can edit the content.
Use a map program to draw a route based on written information.
Level 4:
Explain how passwords can be encrypted.
Evaluate the reliability of information on a commercial website that markets a particular product.
Select relevant images or illustrations to support text on a self-designed poster.
Program drones
Swedish students also participated in the voluntary part of the test, on the basics of programming. In Sweden, programming is included in mathematics and technology subjects, but it can be noted that 13 percent of Swedish eighth-graders reported that they had never received instruction in programming.
The test tasks in this part ranged from creating a simple algorithm to programming a hypothetical agricultural drone to both water and fertilize according to given instructions.
Of the Swedish students, eight percent performed at an advanced level. This is slightly higher than the international average of six percent.
Icils (International Computer and Information Literacy Study) examines eighth-graders' digital competence.
The responsible research organization is IEA.
The Swedish National Agency for Education is responsible for the Swedish part.
The study has been conducted in 2013, 2018, and 2023.
Over 30 countries have participated in Icils 2023. Sweden participated for the first time.
Icils is the first major test of Swedish students' digital competence.
