Media education, an increasingly important subject in schools, amid the rise of online disinformation
Students are learning to be resilient against disinformation, particularly as it becomes increasingly challenging to identify fake news generated by artificial intelligence. They explore this phenomenon in media education classes alongside their teachers. These courses are especially important given that studies have shown social networks are now the primary source of information for Moldovans, often at the expense of traditional press outlets.
For six years, Galina Sîrbu has been teaching media education at the Brînzenii Vechi Gymnasium in Telenești.
“It is a subject that trains them as media people, who navigate the internet safely. Now, when we discuss, when we analyze, the changes are obvious. Together with the children, we decided to create the Gymnasium Gazette, in a working format,” says the teacher.
“What I have noticed in the students is that they develop critical, analytical thinking, they develop as personalities who ask themselves questions,” notes Rodica Bogdan, another media education teacher.
“We participated in piloting the media content integration course in the English language course for tenth grade last year. We will continue, involving them in various media campaigns,” says Aliona Mereacre, an English teacher.
The education authorities will develop a new school curriculum that integrates media education across several subjects.
*“Let’s learn how to make friends with these platforms, how to use digital tools, how to capitalize on artificial intelligence not to the detriment of training our own thinking,” says Natalia Grâu, education expert.
In Estonia, for example, teachers and students receive free subscriptions for using artificial intelligence platforms.
“What we are doing in Estonia is giving free access to the PRO version of AI for students and teachers, we all use it anyway, so let’s try to control this. We believe that if a two- or three-year-old child has a phone in his hand, he already needs to know something about media literacy,” emphasizes Maia Kaassen, a researcher in the field of media education.
The third edition of the Media Education Forum was organized by the Center for Independent Journalism, supported by Sweden and implemented by Internews, with the financial support of Denmark. The forum brought together education authorities, teachers, librarians and experts from abroad.
Author: Camelia Babeica
