Are you interested in delivering media and information literacy training to communities across Ireland? Media Literacy Ireland (MLI) in collaboration with EDMO Ireland is launching an exciting new media literacy training programme and we are looking for potential trainers.
The information and communications environments have never been more complex. Disinformation spreads rapidly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how content is created and consumed. Algorithms decide what people see. From the erosion of trust in public and private institutions, to cyber threats that undermine people’s democratic rights – all communities are feeling the impact of this rapidly developing digital and online landscape.
MLI, in collaboration with EDMO Ireland, and supported by Coimisiún na Meán is aiming to address these challenges through a new ‘network of networks’ inspired training programme, based on the media literacy experience and insights gathered from previous training programmes and international best practice. The programme will see three separate, but interconnected national networks developed to meet the specific media literacy needs of communities across Ireland:
- Media and information literacy (MIL) Champions
- Media and information literacy (MIL) Trainers
- Media and information literacy (MIL) Subject Matter Experts
The MIL Champions will be a network of people who are already embedded within a community and hold a place of trust, influence and/or authority within that community. This large network of MIL Champions will receive enough basic media literacy training to enable them to recognise emerging media literacy learning needs (and opportunities) within their community and ‘champion’ the integration of media literacy messages into existing training / learning opportunities. They will not be obliged to deliver training, but will be connected to the network of MIL Community Trainers who may be able to meet the recognised training need.
The MIL Community Trainers will be a network of people who already have some experience of delivering training or guiding learning experiences within a community setting. They do not have to have any prior experience in delivering media literacy training (although it would be an advantage) as they will receive enough training to be able to respond to basic – medium level media literacy learning needs within communities and create learning opportunities where media literacy messages can be integrated into existing training / learning systems.
MIL Subject Experts will be people who are very experienced and knowledgeable in specific area of media literacy related subjects, and who are willing to provide ad-hoc support to the MIL Champion /Trainer networks via talks, workshops, and ongoing advice.
Once established, this network of skilled instructors and mentors will go on to bring MIL education directly into Irish communities with the goal of helping people across Ireland develop the knowledge and skills necessary to critically understand the media and information world around them. “This initiative is a major boost to media literacy capacity in the country” said Dr Eileen Culloty, Associate Professor, DCU School of Communications and co-Chair of MLI.
MLI National Coordinator, Martina Chapman said “We know the demand is there. The 2023 Be Media Smart Programme was massively oversubscribed and nearly 80 percent of library staff trained through MIL Connections Programme said they plan to keep delivering media literacy in their communities”.
The first stage in this process is to recruit and train up to 25 MIL Trainers between now and the end of the year. These MIL Trainers will receive up to 14 hours of coaching on learning guides that address topical issues, monthly peer support, and direct connection to subject matter experts. International media literacy educator, Dr. Ricardo da Silva will be developing the curriculum and said “This programme starts with the real needs of each community. We will help trainers create practical and inclusive learning experiences that give people the confidence and skills to navigate the media and information ecosystems in their everyday lives.”
If you are a community worker, trainer, librarian, or someone with experience of delivering training or guiding learning experiences within a community setting – this programme is designed to help embed media literacy learning into your work. “The next step for media literacy in Ireland is to widen the pool of people who can deliver media literacy training in the community.
Anyone interested in participating in the first phase of this training (MIL Trainers) is invited to complete this ‘expression of interest’ form before 6 November: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MILTRAINERRECRUITMENT
The recruitment process for the MIL Champions and the MIL Subject Matter experts start later in the year.
For more information, please email info@medialiteracyireland.ie
