Taking into consideration that the implementation of the European key competences and 21st century skills (Partnership for 21st century skills 2011)needs to be supported by integrative and innovative learning environment we had launched several cross-curricular national projects with the main focus in the development of that competences (in reading and digital literacy) as well as collaboration, knowledge construction, skilled communication, global awareness, self-regulation, authentic problem solving and technology (ICT) used in learning. Not only for the purpose but also to improve the PISA results (lower percentage of low performed students and higher percentage of high performed) we have tried in the participated schools to implement strategies that coincides with the student centred pedagogy and high level of digital competences (Ferrari 2013), e.g. critical thinking and evaluating of information, creating the unique media presentation, using innovative technologies, proactive and creative problem solving.
In order to evaluate how the goals in the national projects were met we did an empirical study with the aim to answer on this research question: How successful are schools by using ICT in developing the dimensions of gifted students and competences for the 21st century? For that purpose we covered the following research fields: school projects in the area of ICT; school activities based in in the area of gifted students; home and school learning activities based in using ICT; individual learning programmes for gifted students. The data was gathered with the help of the questionnaire and semi-structured interviews made for students.
Although the study is still in process we can see that we are further challenged by the development of high literacy level, consistent personalisation of pedagogical work supporting the high ability students.