PISA 2025 introduces a groundbreaking assessment called Learning in the Digital World, which measures students' ability to engage in an iterative process of knowledge-building and problem-solving using computational tools. This assessment emphasizes self-regulated learning and the application of computational and scientific inquiry practices, both of which are critical for navigating the digital landscape of the future.
Understanding Learning in the Digital World
Education technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way students learn by providing them with new opportunities to explore complex concepts and create digital representations of their ideas. However, there has been insufficient focus on developing the foundational skills and attitudes necessary for students to become active and autonomous technology users, capable of tackling open-ended, real-world problems. The PISA 2025 Learning in the Digital World assessment is designed to address this gap by focusing on two essential competencies:
1. Self-Regulated Learning
This refers to the ability to monitor and control one's cognitive, metacognitive, behavioral, motivational, and affective processes while learning. It is a critical skill for students to manage their learning effectively, especially in digital environments where they must independently navigate resources and challenges.
2. Computational and Scientific Inquiry Practices
This competency involves the use of digital tools to explore systems, represent ideas, and solve problems using computational logic. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, students must be able to apply these practices to understand and interact with complex digital systems.
The Importance of Digital Competency in the Modern World
As technology continues to evolve, it is imperative that young people are equipped to participate in a workforce where computers play an ever-expanding role. Even though not all students will pursue careers in software engineering, many jobs of the future will require interaction with computational models, simulated realities, and problem-solving using digital tools. Moreover, the rapid pace of technological advancement necessitates that students develop a broad set of skills and perspectives that enable lifelong learning in novel and unfamiliar digital environments.
Being successful in the digital world means more than just using technology---it involves understanding how to leverage it for continuous learning and problem-solving. The ability to self-regulate one's learning process and apply computational logic to real-world challenges is crucial for success in the 21st century. These skills not only prepare students for future careers but also empower them to be active, informed participants in a digital society.
Innovations in the PISA 2025 Learning in the Digital World Assessment
The PISA 2025 Learning in the Digital World assessment represents a significant departure from traditional testing methods. Each test unit is designed as a modern, digital learning environment that provides students with various resources to address knowledge gaps, such as tutorials and worked examples. Students receive intelligent feedback on their progress, allowing them to adjust their strategies and improve their understanding dynamically.
In this open-ended environment, students are required to make critical decisions about how much time to allocate to different tasks, develop strategies for tackling complex problems, and continuously monitor and evaluate their progress. This approach not only assesses students' ability to provide correct answers but also evaluates their capacity to build tangible representations of their emerging understanding, such as a program or a computational model.
For the first time, PISA will provide international comparisons of students' self-regulated learning processes, including measures of motivation and emotion regulation. This innovative assessment combines response and process data through advanced analytical models, offering a more comprehensive understanding of how students learn in digital environments.
Anticipated Outcomes
The results of the PISA 2025 Learning in the Digital World assessment are expected to be released in December 2027. These results will provide valuable insights into students' preparedness for the digital future, highlighting the importance of self-regulated learning and computational inquiry practices in modern education.
The PISA 2025 Learning in the Digital World assessment marks a significant step forward in evaluating students' readiness for the challenges of the digital age. By focusing on self-regulation and computational skills, this assessment will help educators and policymakers understand how to better prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce. As technology continues to shape our world, the ability to learn and adapt in digital environments will be more important than ever.
