The smartphone is the leading medium for young people. For them, it is the most important interface to digital services and information in all areas of life. However, devices and apps are generally used without a deeper understanding of the respective interfaces and their constituent design patterns, data structures, algorithms and business models. While studies on the dangers of constant smartphone use are now available on a large scale, the potential of using smartphones and apps as interfaces with a high relevance to pupils' lives to develop digital skills has only been investigated to a limited extent to date.

With the planned project, we want to develop and empirically test a new teaching concept for digital skills through app prototyping. Our working hypothesis is that working with smartphone interfaces in a real-world context in the sense of independent conceptualisation, playful development (prototyping) and design of interfaces and apps supports the development of digital (media) skills. Empirical evaluation is used to show whether and to what extent action-orientated teaching promotes in-depth skills development.

The didactic and methodological research is carried out in a multi-perspective manner with the involvement of teachers and pupils in order to ensure sustainable integration into the existing framework curricula.