How do we give every child in Denmark the chance not just to keep up with, but to shape the digital world of tomorrow?

That’s the driving question behind the new ultra:bit project– a new nationwide initiative to strengthen children’s understanding of technology and their digital confidence. 

About the project

The new ‘ultra:bit’ project responds to rapid technological change. Today, the aim is not just to teach children how to use technology, but to understand it, question it, and apply it in complex problem-solving, innovation, and democratic participation.

The new ‘ultra:bit’ builds on the success of ‘Project ultra:bit’ from 2018, which significantly increased students’ confidence and interest in tech. Teachers reported improved skills in teaching technology both creatively and critically. With this new ultra:bit project, the programme is being expanded to cover primary school, with at least 70,000 children expected to take part through teaching, learning events, and resource kits for both schools and families. 

Project contribution

Key Objectives:

1. Increase technological understanding among Danish children by providing them with a basic comprehension of datasets, algorithms, and predictive technology.
2. Promote critical thinking among Danish children, including questions about fairness, transparency, and bias.
3. Strengthen creative use and practical skills so that children learn to apply their knowledge of AI and digital technology to create innovative products and solve complex problems.
4. Strengthen and support dialogue between children and parents about digital technologies and their role in daily life and society through dialogue tools and inspiration for playful and experimental co-creation at home.

Intended impacts:

1. Children across demography experimenting and critically engaging with technology with perspective for its creative potention.
2. More children choosing the elective subject "Technology comprehension".
3. Children, teachers and parents across demography achknowledges the need for digital literacy and increased technology comprehension.

The project’s long-term vision is for Danish children to gain increased technological understanding and digital literacy. Regardless of gender, social status, or digital interest, they should recognize the positive, creative potential of technology while critically engaging with current and future technologies. In a democratic society, it is essential that all citizens can critically use technology and participate equally in the dialogue about shaping a society with technology.

CCTD contribution:

CCTD will contribute with research knowledge, develop educational technologies and frameworks, and generate new knowledge from the project's activities.

Activities:

• The campaign "Hacking Technology" with focus on tinkering, creativity, playful engagement, construction, hacking, children, teachers, parents
• The campaign: "What if..." with focus on tinkering, creativity, playful engagement, construction, AI, Data, and What if driven

Partners:

• DR (project owner)
• Centre for Teaching Materials (CFU)
• Aarhus University (CCTD)
• LIFE Foundation 

Target group:

Children in primary school, their teachers and parents 

Research areas:

HCI