The MILbox project has been launched with the aim of equipping primary teachers with relevant tools that would help reshape they way media and information literacy is addressed in earlier grades. This project is implemented by four partners: Avoin yhteiskunta ry from Finland, IDEC SA from Greece and two organisations from Lithuania – Visagino Verdenės Gymnasium and the coordinator of the project Knowledge Economy Forum.
The project’s primary focus revolves around two pivotal groups: primary education teachers and primary students. It recognizes that teachers need to be equipped with relevant knowledge, readily available teaching materials, and an array of educational tools to effectively incorporate digital technologies into their pedagogical practices. Startling findings from the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) revealed that less than 40% of educators felt prepared to integrate digital technologies into their teaching methods. The project aims to bridge this gap by providing tailored tools for enhancing digital student engagement, media and information literacy (MIL) skill development, and guidance for seamlessly integrating MIL skills into various subjects.
For primary students, the project’s objectives extend beyond traditional learning methods. Acknowledging the necessity of captivating online learning experiences to sustain attention and focus, the initiative seeks to build a strong foundation of student agency during primary education. Experts believe that empowering students to be autonomous learners early on can significantly benefit them in their educational journey.
A cornerstone of the project is its emphasis on media and information literacy skills, acknowledging that these skills are imperative in today’s digital age. By tailoring these skills to students’ experiences and connecting them with real-life situations, the project aims to make MIL skills not only relevant but also an essential tool for critical thinking and responsible digital citizenship.
The heart of the initiative lies in the creation of a comprehensive toolbox. This toolbox will encompass two core components: one focusing on enhancing digital education engagement and the other centered on media and information literacy. With inputs from teachers in the creation, testing, and refinement stages, the project aims to ensure that the materials generated are practical, effective, and tailored to the unique needs of primary education.
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The project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web reflects the views only of the consortium, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.