Key ICT Competencies within the European Higher Education Area

Abstract : The recent incorporation of Spanish universities in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has produced fundamental changes. In a short period of time, universities have moved from a system focused on the professor and accumulating knowledge to one focused on the student and acquiring competencies. This new setting presents a challenge to educational managers about how to effectively organize the development of these types of competencies. One of the most important competencies for students’ preparation to enter the job market is the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). This paper examines the key competencies in university education and their relationship with competencies in the use of ICT. To do so, first, two European studies are outlined, followed by one study at the national level, and finally a more local study is described. The results show that the socio-economic context determines to a certain degree which educational competencies must be developed in university education. Moreover, the ICT competencies are acquired more effectively if they are combined with other educational competencies valued by the job market. The study ends with a section on implications for the educational management of ICT.