Media education for all: digital citizens criticise and combat fake news

Summary

The MediAware project tackles disinformation and fake news through an innovative approach combining dialogue-based education with critical thinking. The project created three interconnected tools: a handbook, a training kit, and a digital platform to help adult educators enhance their learners' media literacy and digital citizenship skills. Available in seven languages, these resources promote active citizenship in our increasingly digital world.  

"MediAware has transformed how we understand information. Now we have the tools we need to help adult learners become critical citizens in a digital world full of disinformation." 

Topic(s) addressed

• Citizenship education
• Linking media literacy and combating disinformation to democratic participation
• Critical thinking about media

Target group(s)  

• 105 adult educators and 151 adult learners from all partner countries, focusing on diversity.

Methodologies used

MediAware stands out for its innovative dialogue-based educational methodology, which combines critical thinking with active citizenship. The project adopted a holistic approach, blending theory and practical workshops to address media literacy and citizenship as interconnected concepts.

Its collaborative strategy fostered peer-to-peer learning and interactive methods, creating environments where participants were encouraged to critically question information. By integrating dialogical pedagogy and Paulo Freire’s method of consciousness-raising, the project offered a particularly novel approach to helping participants navigate today’s complex media landscape.

Innovation environment

The project created innovative learning environments by launching the multilingual platform mediawaremooc.eu, which serves as a shared space for educators and learners from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds. This digital hub facilitates ongoing exchange of experiences, tools, and practices, fostering a vibrant cross-border learning community.

MediAware also embraced a holistic view of learning environments by establishing local working groups in each partner country. This ensured that all resources were adapted to specific cultural and educational contexts. The approach made sustainable use of existing resources while cultivating a positive educational climate that supports critical thinking and dialogue.

Teachers’ role

The educators in the MediAware project played a central role as innovators and agents of change. They functioned not only as knowledge transmitters but as active co-creators of the educational resources, giving them ownership of the material and strengthening their role as advocates for media literacy.

By participating in transnational training activities, educators developed their expertise in media literacy and gained new tools to combat disinformation. This capacity building strengthened their confidence while developing competencies in dialogue-based pedagogy and critical thinking, enriching their teaching practice and creating a supportive professional network.      

Impact and output

MediAware has had significant impact at multiple levels. The 105 educators and 151 adult learners who participated reported increased ability to identify fake news and strengthened critical thinking, with over 90% expressing high satisfaction.

The project succeeded in creating an inclusive environment where participants with fewer opportunities felt valued, resulting in increased engagement and confidence.

A key achievement of the MediAware project is the establishment of a network of over 300 organisations across seven countries, all actively using the project’s resources. This has generated a powerful multiplier effect, allowing knowledge and practices to reach a growing number of learners and communities.  

In addition, the project has produced lasting digital resources in seven languages, ensuring continued access and long-term impact beyond the project's duration.

Learn more about the project