- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Completed
Background
Computational thinking (CT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are quickly entering different spheres of everyday life, which is also perceived in the gradual introduction in the official educational curricula of abilities related to this field knowledge. This situation raises a need to train and help students acquire these abilities and teachers to gain expertise in the development and implementation of teaching and learning scenarios that deal with CT and IA, along with the need to find evidence of the impact on the students learning continuum.
Objectives
To offer open educational resources, training and technological solutions to help Spanish teachers incorporate this skill into their teaching practice through programming and robotics activities.
Description
The School of Computational Thinking was set up in the academic year 2018/19 to train teachers to develop programming and robotics in their classrooms. This initiative is coordinated by the National Institute for Education Technologies and Teacher Training (INTEF) in collaboration with the Autonomous Communities, which provide their own teachers for the project, as the education ministry does not have the competence for the teacher training in the regions.
In primary education, teachers use computer programming using Scratch 3.0 as a resource to learn mathematics. Arduino (open-source electronic prototyping platform enabling users to create interactive electronic objects) and working with cooperative learning structures let lower secondary education students enjoy creative technology classes.
Upper secondary (Bachillerato) and VET students begin practising Python language, mechanics and electronics contents using a simulator that enable them to programme devices such as drones, autonomous Formula 1 cars or robots. The website CodeIntef offers additional resources and information.
During the 2019/20 academic year, the school of computational thinking included the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as an integral element of the activities of this project, which is developed in three phases: online teacher training, implementation in the classroom and research on student learning outcomes. The project has been structured on three levels according to educational stages:
Level I: Infant and Primary (1st, 2nd and 3rd years). The representation and understanding of different concepts related to AI, such as algorithms or data representation, are worked through 'unplugged' activities, in which logic games, objects and physical movements are used.
Level II: Primary (4th, 5th and 6th) and lower secondary (1st and 2nd). The objective is that students, through the creation of software products, such as video games in which they must integrate AI solutions related to machine learning, learn to recognize the way in which the computer systems they use on a daily basis use it. It is also intended to stimulate reflection on the impact of AI and its consequences.
Level III: lower secondary (3rd and 4th), upper secondary and IVET. Students are expected to achieve the same goals set for Level II through the development of applications for mobile devices.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project had to be cancelled in April 2020 and relaunched in September 2020 with the same topics - unplugged activities, scratch and app inventor. With the participation of 884 teachers, which includes 55 VET teachers, the distribution in levels is 281 participants in unplugged activities, 291 participants in Scratch 3.0, and 312 participants of the App Inventor activities.
The project was relaunched in 2020/21 with the same structure. More than 800 teachers participated in more than 350 implementation projects. The outcomes of the first edition projects are expected to be published during the first half of 2022.
The School of Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence (EPCIA - Escuela de Pensamiento Computacional e Inteligencia Artificial) is included in the Plan for the Digitalisation and Digital Competences of the Education System (#DigEdu Plan), specifically in line 4 Advanced digital methodologies and competences. It is also part of the NIP actions for Spain, as the plan for the digitalisation and digital competences of the education system is one of the actions included in Spain´s NIP. The outcomes of the first edition projects were published: 'The School of Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence 20/21: Approaches and proposals to implement in the classroom. Research results'.
The 2021-2022 edition of the EPCIA aimed to explore the possibilities of offering participating teachers a wide modular training offer grouped into five areas:
- unplugged Computational Thinking;
- programming with blocks;
- programming Languages: Python;
- artificial intelligence;
- robotics.
These areas address different skills and abilities that are integrated into advanced digital skills and were offered to participants in such a way that they could build their own personalised learning path by taking into account their interests and prior knowledge. Specifically, each participant completed 4 training modules from among those offered in each of the 5 areas, plus a common module for the creation of a didactic proposal, organised as follows:
- 3 modules chosen from among the specific general offer;
- 1 module for the analysis of didactic activities of the chosen area;
- 1 module to design a particular didactic proposal to be implemented with students.
As in previous editions, after the training process, the didactic proposal was implemented with students in the classroom, and the project's impact was evaluated through research. The results of the impact research were published.
No further editions of the projects were expected to be launched after 2022. The Code Intef website offers activities related to robotics, programming, and artificial intelligence. This web page compiles educational activities connected to these fields of technology, such as the project Código Escuela 4.0 or a section dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, and provides educational resources for students to implement.
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports
- Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (until 2023)
- National Institute of Qualifications (INCUAL)
- Autonomous Communities (CC.AA.)
Target groups
Education professionals
- Teachers
- Trainers
- School leaders
- Adult educators
Thematic categories
Modernising VET offer and delivery
This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.
The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.
This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.
Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.
This thematic sub-category focuses on developing and updating all kinds of learning resources and materials, both for learners and for teachers and trainers (e.g. teachers handbooks or manuals), to embrace current and evolving content and modes of learning. These activities target all kinds of formats: hard copy and digital publications, learning websites and platforms, tools for learner self-assessment of progress, ICT-based simulators, virtual and augmented reality, etc.
This thematic sub-category refers to acquisition of key competences and basic skills for all, from an early age and throughout their life, including those acquired as part of qualifications and curricula. Key competences include knowledge, skills and attitudes needed by all for personal fulfilment and development, employability and lifelong learning, social inclusion, active citizenship and sustainable awareness. Key competences include literacy; multilingual; science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM); digital; personal, social and learning to learn; active citizenship, entrepreneurship, cultural awareness and expression (Council of the European Union, 2018).
Teachers, trainers and school leaders competences
Competent and motivated VET teachers in schools and trainers in companies are crucial to VET becoming innovative and relevant, agile, resilient, flexible, inclusive and lifelong.
This thematic category comprises policies and practices of initial training and continuing professional development approaches in a systemic and systematic manner. It also looks at measures aiming to update (entry) requirements and make teaching and training careers attractive and bring more young and talented individuals and business professionals into teaching and training. Supporting VET educators by equipping them with adequate competences, skills and tools for the green transition and digital teaching and learning are addressed in separate thematic sub-categories.
The measures in this category target teachers and school leaders, company trainers and mentors, adult educators and guidance practitioners.
This thematic sub-category refers to all kinds of initial and continuing professional development (CPD) for VET educators who work in vocational schools and in companies providing VET. VET educators include teachers and school leaders, trainers and company managers involved in VET, as well as adult educators and guidance practitioners – those who work in school- and work-based settings. The thematic sub-category includes national strategies, training programmes or individual courses to address the learning needs of VET educators and to develop their vocational (technical) skills, and pedagogical (teaching) skills and competences. Such programmes concern state-of-the-art vocational pedagogy, innovative teaching methods, and competences needed to address evolving teaching environments, e.g. teaching in multicultural settings, working with learners at risk of early leaving, etc.
This thematic sub-category is in line with the EU policy focus on the digital transition, and refers to professional development and other measures to prepare and support teachers and trainers in teaching their learners digital skills and competences. It also covers measures and support for them to increase their own digital skills and competences, including for teaching in virtual environments, working with digital tools and applying digital pedagogies. Emergency measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic also fall into this sub-category.
European priorities in VET
VET Recommendation
- VET as an attractive choice based on modern and digitalised provision of training and skills
Osnabrück Declaration
- Establishing a new lifelong learning culture - relevance of continuing VET and digitalisation
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). School of computational thinking and AI for teachers: Spain. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28200