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MELIA Observatory Media Literacy Observatory for Active Citizenship and Sustainable Democracy

MATERIALS for pupils

The world in the online environment does not only bring us positives, but also a number of negatives, which are increasing with the rapid development of technology and it is not easy to prepare for them. In fact, the virtual world is an environment that provides opportunities to simplify and distort information, manipulate and influence our opinions.

This tutorial focuses on a world you know well. We will explain the most basic concepts and definitions in the field of media literacy education and through concrete examples and activities that are linked to real problems in the field, we will show you how to approach the topic with an open mind and in a way that does not pose a danger to you.

 

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO FOCUS ON?
 
 

We will equip you with skills to understand and critically asses and sort media content so that you can make the most out of the media world. We will also focus on why active citizenship is important and how you can directly influence the world around you.

 

Go through the interactive presentations together with the handbooks and test your media literacy skills. At the end of this programme, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate and succeed in the media world.

 

 

 

Behavior on social networks
 
 

In this lesson, you will be introduced to the concepts of what are social networks, what social networks exist and what is their purpose. You think you know a lot about social networks and you can‘t learn anything new? Try it, maybe you‘re wrong. Surely you can use them actively and you know what they are for. But do you also know what they can be abused for and how they can influence us without realizing it? Don’t you? And that‘s what it‘s about!

 

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Critical thinking skills
 
 

People often perceive the online world as one of the main sources of information that significantly shapes their worldview. They simplify information, they tend to stereotypes and abbreviations, which often force them to interpret things in a way that confirms their own beliefs and world views. Strengthening critical thinking is essential to maintaining common sense in evaluating information, including politically-related information.

 

You will learn what are cognitive distortions and logical fallacies, what is critical thinking and what is beneficial for it and what is not. In the second part of the presentation, you will practice the information obtained on specific examples.

 

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Manipulation and propaganda
 
 

In this lecture, you will be introduced to the concept of manipulation and manipulation techniques that are often used. Most people get their information mostly from the internet - and this environment has become a haven for manipulators. Don‘t you believe it? Manipulation is often disguised in forms that are difficult to detect.

 

You can encounter it on any website, including social media. Examples were selected that the target group can most often meet in their environment. They get acquainted with the types of manipulators through an animated video.

 

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Marketing and advertising
 
 

In this lesson, you will be introduced to concepts in the field of marketing and get acquainted with the meaning of marketing. You will recognize where you can come across advertising and what the character of advertising is. You will also learn what an algorithm is and what it is used for in the online world. Marketing strategies directly target the young generation through the internet and use areas that are close to this generation, such as music videos, online games and, above all, the power of influencers.

 

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News and hoaxes
 
 

The online world, as well as the printed media, are a source of unsubstantiated information and hoaxes. The ability to detect fiction in the online environment is also hampered by the rapid development of technology and its sophisticated use in the online media environment.

 

In the lesson, you will learn what the most important elements of media communication are and, with the help of a practical sample with a topic close to them, you will learn the difference between news and journalism.

 

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Politics
 
 

The world has largely moved to an online environment where hate speech and fake news, which negatively affect the democratic environment in the EU, are easily disseminated. An integral part of active citizenship is participation in the political environment. Political parties and organizations also operate in the online environment.

 

In this lesson, we will explain the role of politicians in everyday life and aim, within sustainable democracy, to show, through practical examples, the reasons why it is important to take an active interest in politics and in what way.

 

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Programme co-funded by European Union funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI)