digital learning strategy, digital learning environment, digital competencies, technical high schools.

The article briefly presents several national and transnational strategic documents dealing with the development of digital literacy and digital education. It analyzes the content of the concept of digital literacy, which is a prerequisite for learning and education in the digital age and the use of all the benefits and components of the digital learning environment. The authors involved in the grant task of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic entitled “Education in Engineering Field and Its Optimization for the Need of the Labor Market” deal with many issues related to digital literacy and the use of digital technologies at secondary technical schools in a selected region of the Czech Republic. The article presents the results of empirical research, which answers the following main research questions: a) Does the view of students of these schools on the use of digital technologies in teaching affect the level of their digital competencies? b) Does the professional orientation of students according to the RIASEC method influence the self-assessment of digital competences and the use of digital technologies in teaching? c) Does the development of artificial intelligence applications in mechanical engineering influence the decision to start high school and the students’ opinion on their future career in mechanical engineering? Using statistical methods, partial research hypotheses were verified and the obtained data will be used for the optimization of the school digital learning environment as well as for the process of creating digital literacy of teachers and students.