Here you will find the top 5 media literacy featured articles from 2023 that we recommend reading. This is a curated selection, showcasing the favourite articles selected by our Special Interest Group! While we strongly recommend the articles below, feel free to explore all the media literacy-related content available on the M&L website.
It’s not easy to summarise what links these articles in one single comment. They each touch upon different perspectives, including resilience, systematic educational integration, and innovative approaches.
We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did – Andy Demeulenaere, Mediawijs – IMEC, Belgium, Chair of SIG on Digital Media Literacy.
- Media literacy in wartime: insights from the Ukrainian National Project Filter, by Valeria Kovtun, Head of Filter, Ukraine.
In this article, Valeria Kovtun, Head of Filter, details Ukraine’s efforts in media literacy amidst the Russian invasion. Launched in 2021, Filter aimed to enhance critical thinking and unify media literacy initiatives across Ukraine. When war broke out, Filter swiftly adapted, offering tools to help Ukrainians distinguish between PsyOps and verified information. Despite wartime challenges, they reached 18 million people and conducted the nation’s first media literacy test. Kovtun emphasises the global importance of adaptable media education to combat misinformation, illustrating the crucial role of international cooperation and resilience.
- Social Games for a Social Media-Fuelled Problem, by Chris Coward, University of Washington, U.S.A.
Here, Chris Coward from the University of Washington explores the limitations of traditional media literacy approaches that focus solely on individual skills. Coward argues that combating misinformation requires social solutions, emphasising collective sensemaking and dialogue. He references the DROG Intervention Model, which advocates for interactive media literacy interventions that foster open, respectful conversations among people with differing views. Coward illustrates this with the Euphorigen Investigation, a misinformation escape room that promotes team-based problem-solving and reflection. This game format encourages immersive, social learning experiences, highlighting the need for more community-focused misinformation games to enhance both individual and collective resilience.
- Misinformation in Virtual Reality, by James Brown, Jeremy Bailenson & Jeffrey Hanock, Stanford University, USA.
The authors examine the growing concerns surrounding misinformation in Virtual Reality (VR). While VR offers valuable applications in therapy and education, its immersive nature also makes it a potent tool for spreading misinformation, termed “misexperience.” The authors highlight the need for a comprehensive framework to understand how VR influences beliefs and behaviours, emphasising the interaction between VR’s technological features and users’ psychological experiences. To mitigate misinformation, the article calls for enhanced media literacy, collaboration with trust and safety organisations, and robust research to inform effective moderation practices, ensuring VR’s benefits are maximised while minimising risks.
- Integrating Media Literacy into Formal Education: Georgian Experience, by Mariam Dakhundaridze, Head of Media Literacy Development Department, Georgia.
This article delves into the integration of media literacy into formal education in Georgia, led by Mariam Dakhundaridze, Head of the Media Literacy Development Department. Beginning in 2011 with its inclusion in the National Curriculum, media literacy has been prioritised as a critical competency. The initiative saw significant progress in 2022, with the Communications Commission, the Ministry of Education, and UNICEF introducing media literacy as an elective subject. Through comprehensive needs assessments and teacher training, the program aims to equip students and teachers with essential skills to navigate and critically evaluate the media landscape. Collaborative efforts and innovative projects continue to enhance media literacy education, fostering informed, critical thinkers in Georgian society.
- Media Literacy in Portuguese School Libraries, by the School Libraries Network, Portugal.
The School Libraries Network (SLN) highlights the integration of media literacy into Portuguese school libraries, focusing on empowering students to navigate the digital age critically and creatively. Established by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, SLN has developed a comprehensive framework, “Learning with the School Library,” which outlines standards for reading, media, and information literacies. The framework, implemented in phases and continuously refined, guides school libraries in providing meaningful activities aligned with curriculum goals. With extensive teacher training and a rich repository of resources, SLN supports the development of media literacy skills across all educational levels, aiming to prepare students for the complexities of the digital world.
In 2023, the Media & Learning newsletter featured over 65 articles focusing on digital and media literacy across Europe and beyond.
