The Alannah & Madeline Foundation, supported by Google.org, has worked with leading experts and educators to develop Media Literacy Lab – a new pilot program designed to help teachers build young Australians’ essential media literacy knowledge and skills via an innovative teaching and learning tool, and professional learning opportunities.
Media Literacy Lab is designed to ensure teachers can flexibly deliver module sessions in blended and remote learning environments, with educator guidance and opportunities to build professional knowledge and practice.
With hundreds of differentiated activities for students aged 12-16, secondary-level teachers of many subject areas can teach media literacy relevant to their subject specialism.
Media Literacy Lab aligns with Australian and state curriculum. Aligned subject areas include: English; Media Arts; Digital Technologies; Civics and Citizenship; Health and Physical Education; Mathematics; and Science.
Currently about half of Gen Z Australians use social media as their main source of news – the way they engage with news and information media is constantly evolving, and we need to ensure they have the important knowledge and skills to adapt and thrive.
Media Literacy Lab forms a crucial part of the wider Australian response to recent research, evidencing teachers’ calls for media literacy education support. It supports this with carefully curated education resources – that keep pace with the changing media landscape – in a safe, narrative-driven learning environment.
Confident and explicit teaching of media literacy can lead to stronger digital civic engagement in young people, supporting safer online communities across Australia.
In partnership with VicHealth, three new modules have been developed, focusing on harmful digital marketing. Through general media literacy and health promotion lenses, the tailored learning content and questions are specific to alcohol and other drugs, unhealthy eating and gambling.
The modules’ content also examine children’s rights and data privacy, age verification, exposure and consumption insights and types and techniques of digital marketing.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation facilitated student validation workshops in early 2020 to ensure Media Literacy Lab:
We are proud to have Solli Raphael as our Media Literacy Lab Youth Ambassador. Solli’s YouTube Channel shows this young game changer, Slam Poet and Writer in action.
Once registered for eSmart Media Literacy Lab, teachers can access resources and attend events that aim to build professional knowledge, practice and confidence to teach media literacy – quickly and effectively.
Professional learning events and opportunities for student workshops will be posted here when they available.
Media Literacy Lab complements the implementation of eSmart Schools and eSmart Schools membership. As your students become more media literate with the Lab, their understanding of smart, safe and responsible online behaviours will deepen. Teaching and learning module content within Media Literacy Lab, such as mis/dis-information, online hate speech and democratic rights, aligns with eSmart Domain 5: An eSmart Curriculum.