Media Literacy as a Specific Optional Subject in Gymnasia

Bozena Jelusic, literature , mother tongue and media literacy teacher (vlaxon@t-com.me; bozenajelusic@yahoo.com )“Media Literacy in South East Europe: a regional approach and exchange”Tirana, October 28 -29. 2010.

School reform in Montenegro(School reform was strong supported by FOSI –Representative Ofiice Montenegro)

Reform process 2000 - 2000.Curriculum RevisionOptional subjects Civic values education: through whole

curriculum and specific optional subjects as: civics, human rights, media literacy, history of religions, EU integrations, communikology, but process is still opened)

Visibility of the subject through TV interviews, press, teacher training…)

Media literacyStarted 2007/2008.One year optional subject in second or

third class of gymnasia Two connected lessons weeklySubject program authors: Bozena Jelusic,

Montenegro, Tomislav Reskovac, CroatiaTeaching materials: Montenegro Media

Institute (authors: Janko Ljumovic, Dragoljub Dusko Vukovic, Montenegro)

Teacher training (NGO Pedagogical center, Bureau for Educational Service)

Main goals of the media literacy subject

Achieving awareness of the media role in our livesCritical reception skills (Five Key Concepts of

Media Literacy) All media are CONSTRUCTIONS All MEDIA have its own LANGUAGE AUDIENCES negotiate meaning in media Media contain IDEOLOGICAL and VALUE messages Media have COMMERCIAL implications

Production media texts skills, regarding the specific media language

Promoting & including media literacy elements in different school subjects (mother tongue and literature, sociology, psychology, philosophy, history, arts)

Subject modulesSeven not strongly divided but connected modulesKaleidoscopic in its complexity (Provides an

opportunity for integrating all subject areas) Reading media txt & producing media txt (focusing

on process skills rather than content knowledge)

All media included (Engages students bringing the world of media into the classroom connects learning with "real life" and validates their media culture as a rich environment for learning(

Main goal is to use media, not to be used by media (Meets the needs of students to be wise consumers of media)

1. Module practice examples7 day statistics of pupils “media life”Statistics: how many hours in school, with

media, with parents, friends, sleeping?Following a specific TV program – contents

(media purpose)Teaching material – media genresWriting a paper article for various public

Construct - 2. Module (examples)Media txt as a constructEmpiric & media reality (real event and

its representation in two differrent ways)Deconstruction & producing media txts3 daily newspaper in Montenegro – 3

pictures of the stateExperiencing role of the editorBarry Levinson: Wag the dog (debate)

Media language - 3. Module (examples)

Media language: press, radio, TV, new mediaThe same content in various media MediaLit Kit (we try not to invent “hot water”

and to use the experience of others)Students make their own media text examples

(use cell phones cameras, cameras, papers…)Creative technics: fiction strategies in media,

arts and media Student produce advertisements for various

media

Reception - 4. moduleReception of the media txt (Public, audience)How I can understand this message?Minorities, discrimination, stereotypesWomen in media mirror – construct of the

woman (teaching materials, a book prepared by NGO Nova – Center for feministic culture)

Minorities in media (Roma population, persons with handicap - teaching material by Montenegro Media Institute)

Producing media txts regarding various public and their needs

Values: 5. ModuleValues and ideology – how to recognize their

aspects Critical attitude toward violence,

pornography, stereotypes, entertainment industry…)

Case study (advertising, lifestyles, private life nad media, violence, woman representation)

Propaganda, manipulation, civic initiatives ( ecology & sustainable development )

Purpose – 6. ModuleProfit & nonprofit media txts; private & public

serviceStudents learn how to connect media txt & the

media owner (public opinion)Big media information providers (global village)Media and war in former Yugoslavia (starting

with the book: Ranko Bugarski Language from the peace to war)

Students produce media txt regarding its educational, aesthetic, entertainment, political or commercial purpose)

Media, Ethics, Politics - 7. ModuleThe public service roleThe right to information and to privacyThe importance of media autonomyJournalist ethic principles (again:

Experiencing role of the editor)How I can use media in various civic

initiatives? (Case study: last student protest against bad implementation of final external exam in Montenegro ( - lesson learnt)

A media campaign of the selected important social issue

Never ending storyMedia literacy & digital literacy

Born digital versus digital immigrants (pupils are constantly connected) Role of the school in rethinking: Identities Dossiers (cause of concern) Privacy Safety Creators Digital Natives are tremendously creative) Pirates Quality Overload Aggressors (they will move markets, transform industries, education, an

global politics) Innovators Learners Activists(Examples an ideas form: John Palfrey & Urs Gasser, BORN DIGITAL,

Understanding the first generation oF Digital Natves)

Pupils are supplied byWorking material on 2 DVD/DVXVocabulary of media literacySchool facilities (computers, camera, projector…)School media theory library (mostly: CLIO

production, Serbia and others)Teacher send the students presentation and

material by e-mailThey make feed back to teacherStudents like the subjects very much, and often

attends the lessons regardless they choose the subject or not.

Problems appearedTeachers (negative selection during last 2

decades – the best ones very often go for the better salary)

Lack of technical facilities in some Montenegrin schools

More real enthusiasts and parents who talk with their children about good and bad in media

Various ideas I expect to get in Tirana!Thank you!