Media literacy includes the ability to search, evaluate and use information from different sources. In a world where social media and the internet have become the main channels for news, this skill helps to avoid spreading misinformation and manipulation. The importance of media literacy is particularly evident in the context of today's global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or political misinformation.
Is it all up to the teacher?
Media literacy is embedded in all Estonian national curricula at all school levels and in all subject areas. In addition, the national curricula of both basic and upper secondary schools include the cross-cutting theme of "Information environment and media use", which aims to develop students into critical-thinking, information-literate individuals. It's curricula and a theory, but how does it work in practice?
To better understand how Estonian students perceive media literacy and how they have learned it at school, we spoke to students from different universities, including the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology and the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
Many of the students said that media literacy was given attention in schools, especially in language and social studies classes. However, they said that the level and depth of teaching varied widely.
For example, Daniil, a student at Tallinn University of Technology who studies at the Maritime Academy, shared his experience with us in this way: "In my mother tongue classes, I was taught how to identify fake news. As I know, our teacher took a media literacy course and after that, our lessons became more interesting. We filmed videos, wrote articles and discussed what media literacy is. But I think this knowledge is not enough to understand all the nuances of media and information today."
The students, whose mother tongues are different, also noted differences in the way media literacy is taught. For example, students from Russian-speaking schools are often faced with a situation where a significant amount of media content comes from foreign sources, which they find requires additional critical analysis and working with different additional sources.
Media literacy in the university environment
When they went to university, many students became even more aware of the importance of media literacy. Katrin, a student of Journalism and Communication at the University of Tartu, noted that critical thinking and media literacy are an integral part of their curriculum. "In our field, we work with information all the time, checking facts, and analyzing news. Without media literacy, you can't become a professional journalist because you need to be able to assess the credibility of sources and publications."
Engineering and science students also stressed the importance of media literacy, especially in the context of scientific information. Kaspar, a biology student at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, noted. This is especially important in an era when misinformation can spread very quickly."
Challenges and opportunities
While a significant proportion of students recognize the importance of media literacy, many point to the lack of a systematic approach to its teaching in schools and universities. Some lacked a deeper understanding of the subject, particularly in relation to digital media literacy, which is linked to social media and other online resources.
One student at Tallinn University of Technology, Aleksandr, who is studying IT, expressed the need for a more structured learning process: "Nowadays, when most information comes from the internet, I think it is important to teach young people not only to evaluate news critically, but also to understand how social media algorithms work, and how they can shape their information bubble."
Media literacy is an essential skill today, necessary for successful learning and living in the modern world. Students at Estonian universities understand its importance and need for it, although they often point out that approaches to teaching it in schools could be better. A deeper understanding of media literacy will help young people to critically evaluate information, cope better with exams, protect themselves from misinformation and make informed choices in the modern information environment.
What to do next
Looking to the future, students say it is important to consider how to further improve media literacy teaching. One possibility is to integrate media literacy into all subjects, rather than limiting it to social studies or language classes.
For example, math lessons could also include data and statistical analysis to help students better understand the use of numbers in the media, while history lessons could further explore the role of media in shaping political events.
Schools and universities could also make more use of digital tools, such as interactive platforms and simulations, to give students hands-on practice in finding, evaluating and using information. Collaboration with local and international media organizations, as well as guest lectures and workshops with experts in the field, could provide students with valuable knowledge and skills to better prepare them to navigate the media space.
Author: Ariadna Pavlenko, NPO Tuleviku Meedia
Photo: Ariadna Pavlenko, Tuleviku Meedia
This article was created in partnership with our partner Baltic Center for Media Excellence
