Computer Science Competencies for Non-Technical Adults to Participate in the Digital World

Abstract

In order to actively participate in the world shaped by digital media, basic computer science skills are becoming increasingly important. Due to the rapid development of new technologies, pure application knowledge is no longer sufficient. It is just as important to know what lies behind it and to know the basic concepts behind the functionality in order to enable transferability from today's devices to tomorrow's devices. National and international school curricula and standards specify what students should learn about computer science and computing systems at school. However, those people who have had no contact with any form of computer science education during their time at school, during their studies or during vocational training and further education are out in front. The aim of this article is therefore to identify those competences, which should be acquired by non-technical adults based on the existing guidelines for schools, topics of current interest in Germany and the interest of the target group, which was determined by a survey of 123 persons. To acquire these competences, courses and workshops may be offered at adult education centres for example.