Representations and experiences of school teachers in Colombia regarding Media Education. An exploratory research

Details

Supervisors

Jacques, Jerry

Faculty

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales, politiques et de communication

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences et technologies de l'information et de la communication, à finalité spécialisée: conception et évaluation de médias éducatifs

Abstract

Digital media has become an indispensable component of all the fields of contemporary society, influencing work, culture, communication and education on a global scale. As its impact is exponentially growing, the implementation of media education in society is increasingly critical, specifically in educational environments like schools. Studies about media education at schools have traditionally been focused on young people as the target audience. However, despite the critical role of teachers in disseminating knowledge, they seem to receive less attention within the research community, especially in the complex contexts of developing countries. In Colombia, other priorities must be addressed, and issues like the social gap and the digital divide tend to marginalise the implementation of media education and media literacy. Thus, this research aims to explore the representations and experiences of Colombian schoolteachers when it comes to promoting media education in their settings. By conducting a mixed methodology comprising semi-structured interviews and an online survey, this thesis aims to recognise their cognition about media education and how they overcome their challenges concerning digital media. Data collected showed that social disparities are indeed a significant barrier. Nonetheless, Colombian school teachers implement diverse strategies to overcome the challenges encountered when fostering media education.