About the Course

Media Literacy 4 the Elderly is a specialized training course designed to develop critical thinking and safe digital behaviour skills among older adults. The course is particularly relevant in the context of rapid information technology development and the growing number of digital threats. It helps older adults navigate the modern media landscape confidently and safely.

Organizers

The course is organized in collaboration with three partner organizations:

State Higher Educational Institution "Donbas State Pedagogical University"

Foundation for Supporting Older Adults "Age of Happiness"

Charitable Foundation "Slavic Dream"

Course Program

🧠 Critical Thinking and Media Content Analysis

• Methods of critical information analysis
• Distinguishing between reliable and unreliable information
• Recognizing manipulative techniques in media

🔒 Digital Security and Data Protection

• Principles of protecting personal data online
• Safe use of digital tools
• Setting up privacy parameters in social networks
• Action algorithms when detecting suspicious activities

⚠️ Internet Threats and Cybercrimes

• Recognizing phishing and online fraud
• Main types of cybercrimes and protection methods
• Security of online payments and electronic transactions
• What to do in case of a cyberattack

📱 Responsible Media Content Consumption

• Developing healthy information habits
• Principles of verifying information from various sources
• Ethics of communication in digital environment
• Balance between online and offline activities

The course has a distinctly practical character. Participants receive specific instructions for safe use of technical devices, step-by-step algorithms for various digital situations, personal recommendations regarding security settings, practical tasks for skill reinforcement, and methodological materials for independent study. 

The training course "Media Literacy 4 the Elderly" is an important step in improving digital literacy among older adults. The special relevance of the project is due to the rapid development of information technologies, the growing number of digital threats, the need to adapt older adults to the digital environment, and the importance of ensuring equal access to information resources.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF THE SUMMER SCHOOL

General Objective

To develop media literacy and audiovisual culture among educational professionals in the "Arts" educational field in order to foster critical thinking and analytical perception of media texts in the context of contemporary visual media reality.

Program Objectives

1. To familiarize participants with the fundamental principles of media education and media literacy.
2. To develop skills in critical analysis of visual and audiovisual information.
3. To form competencies in integrating media educational practices into the educational process.
4. To enhance the level of digital literacy among educational professionals.

CURRICULUM

Module 1. Theoretical Foundations of Media Education (3 hours)

1. Conceptual framework of media education.
2. European standards of media literacy.
3. Regulatory and legal framework of media education in Ukraine.
4. Integration approaches in educational practice.

Module 2. Visual Literacy in Arts Education: EU Experience (3 hours)

1. Specifics of visual information perception.
2. Authenticity of artworks.
3. Image verification methods.
4. Legal aspects of visual content usage.

Module 3. Facts and Judgments. Artwork and Advertisement. Propaganda. Interpretation of Artworks (3 hours)

1. Critical analysis methodologies.
2. Recognition of manipulative techniques.
3. Differences between art and commercial content.
4. Multiple interpretations in art.

Module 4. Digital Technologies in Arts Education (3 hours)

1. Characteristics of new media.
2. Interactive educational technologies.
3. Multimedia projects in the educational process.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge

• Master the conceptual framework of media education and media literacy
• Understand the specifics of different types of media texts
• Know the regulatory and legal foundations of copyright and intellectual property
• Navigate the features of New Media

Skills

• Conduct critical analysis of media content
• Verify visual information
• Recognize manipulative techniques in media texts
• Integrate media educational practices into the educational process
• Use digital tools for creating educational content

Competencies

• Media literacy and critical thinking
• Digital competency
• Communicative competency in digital environment
• Professional pedagogical competency

Information about the Intensive Course

The 18-hour intensive course is aimed at developing higher education teachers' understanding of the importance of creating educational materials for teacher training in various media formats, awareness of the potential impact of media education on students, and the use of European media education technologies when studying the topics of professional teacher training. The intensive course includes theoretical foundations, practical tasks, exercises on media integration, interactive games, and cases on using media educational technologies and media tools in teacher training.

The Program of the Intensive Course "Media Education in Teacher Training"

The purpose of the course is to develop the competencies of teachers of higher education institutions in creating and using media educational technologies in the training of future teachers.

Expected results

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

create educational materials in various media formats;
understand and analyze the impact of media education on students;
to apply European experience in media educational technologies in the professional training of teachers;
integrate media resources into the educational process.

Course structure

Module 1. Theoretical Foundations of Media Education (4 hours):

1.1. The essence and significance of media education in the modern world.
1.2. European experience in implementing media education.
1.3. Psychological and pedagogical features of media influence on students.
1.4. Media competence of a modern teacher.

Module 2. Media Formats in the Educational Process (4 hours):

2.1. Overview of modern media formats for learning.
2.2. Creation of educational media content.
2.3. Workshop on the development of educational materials in various media formats.
2.4. Interactive media technologies.

Module 3. Media-educational Technologies in Teacher Training (6 hours):

3.1. Integration of media educational technologies in educational disciplines.
3.2. Analysis of cases of the use of media educational technologies.
3.3. Development of educational tasks using media tools.
3.4. Workshop on European media educational technologies.

Module 4. Practical Implementation (4 hours):

4.1. Interactive games on media education.
4.2. Development and protection of own projects.
4.3. Reflection and exchange of experience.
4.4. Planning the further implementation of media educational technologies.

Final certification

The certificate is issued upon successful completion of the test based on the course materials. A passing score is at least 80% of correct answers.

Certificates

EU Media Education Studies

PRIMARY EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE DEPARTMENT

SHEI “DONBAS STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY”

Master’s Level, 013 Primary Education

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course “EU Media Education Studies” is implemented within the Erasmus+ Programme Jean Monnet Module “EU Practices in Media Education” (101085162 – EUPinMEd – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH).

“EU Media Education Studies” is a multidisciplinary course aimed at preparing pre-service primary school teachers to develop media literacy of the young generation of the Ukrainians taking into account the best European practices in media education. The benefit for students is the opportunity to improve their media literacy and increase their capacity in teaching European studies which makes them more competitive and demanded in education labour market.

The course is designed in a blended learning format and includes 40 direct contact hours of the lectures and seminars and the 16-hour distance course at the LMS platform Moodle of Donbas State Pedagogical University.

COURSE GOALS

The course is aimed at providing students with the theoretical and legislative foundations of European media education, understanding of the role of media literacy and intercultural communication in the digital age, developing students’ media literacy skills according to the European trends of digital transformation of all the life spheres, practical skills in organising media educational activities and using media educational resources in teaching at primary school.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The impact of the course is

• to foster students’ understanding of media, digital media, and legislative foundations of European media education;
• to provide information on the main stages of the EU history of media and media culture, the media literacy education theories in European countries;
• to enhance students’ knowledge about European principles of using, assessing, and creating media tools for education;
• to improve the students’ practical skills to conduct media education according to the European trends and best practices.

SYLLABUS OF THE COURSE