Knowledge about digital rights such as the right to privacy and freedom of expression, is crucial for the safe and responsible use of the Internet, was the key message of a two-day training on digital citizenship for employees in the education sector, organized by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) in Tivat on 5 and 6 November.
More than 30 employees from primary and secondary schools across Montenegro took part in the training,including managerial and teaching staff, as well as psychological-pedagogical services. Through expert presentations and workshops, participants learned about digital citizenship skills and their role in protecting students’ digital rights.
The first day focused on digital literacy, rights and responsibilities, basics of artificial intelligence and its application in teaching, as well as the development of critical thinking in recognising cyberbullying. The second day covered digital tools for social and democratic participation and practical exercises on combating cyberbullying, disinformation, and other violations of digital rights. Participants designed small digital citizenship projects to implement in their schools.
“Digital literacy enables us to navigate online safely, to inform ourselves, educate ourselves and entertain ourselves, but also to recognise the traps of disinformation and manipulation. It goes beyond the routine use of technology it is about understanding how information is created, shared and interpreted. When we are digitally literate and aware of our rights, we can protect ourselves and others online,” said Bojana Kovač, digital rights expert and one of the trainers.
Ivan Martinović, a PhD candidate in the application of artificial intelligence in medicine and Executive Director of the NGO epiSTEMe, spoke about the application of artificial intelligence in education. “We discussed the advantages and challenges of using artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of ethical and responsible use of AI technologies, their potential to enhance teaching, and the need to increase digital literacy in order to reduce the digital gap between students and teachers. Attention was also drawn to the possible misuse of this technology and the insufficient preparedness of institutions for the new technological revolution. Such programmes are an important step towards modern, inclusive and higher-quality education, in which technology becomes a support rather than an obstacle to learning,” he stated.
“The trainers made an effort to equip us for the challenges brought about by technological progress. It was useful to exchange experiences and realise that the problems are similar in all schools. The knowledge I gained will help me address everyday challenges in my work in education. Digitalisation is inevitable and we must continuously improve ourselves,” underlined Elvis Šutković, psychologist at the “Bać” Primary School in Rožaje.
A similar experience was shared by Teuta Mulešković, a primary school teacher from “Mahmut Lekić” Primary School in Tuzi. “The training was very useful, professionally delivered and motivating. Such programmes significantly contribute to developing staff competences and should be continued,” she noted.
Ljeonora Vuljaj, a Montenegrin language teacher (as a non-mother tongue subject) at “Jedinstvo” Primary School in Tuzi, added that the training helped her better understand safe and responsible online behaviour. “We learned how to recognise false information, protect data, and use technology consciously and responsibly. We gained a deeper understanding of digital rights, the role of artificial intelligence in teaching, and the prevention of cyberbullying,” she said. Also, she emphasised that participants were able to exchange uncertainties from their experience with trainers regarding the challenges brought by the digital sphere.
The training is part of the programme “Protection of Rights and Promotion of Digital Citizenship: Montenegrin Digital Shield (MDS)” implemented by the CCE in partnership with the SHARE Foundation, and in cooperation with the Agency for Audio-visual Media Services, with the financial support of the European Union and co-funding by the Ministry of Regional Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organisations.
Sara Čabarkapa, Active Citizenship Programme Coordinator