DIMELI@SCHOOL Competence Framework
What is this about?
What do we mean exactly when we say we aim to support students in the “development of their Digital Media Literacy skills“? The DIMELI@SCHOOL Competence Framework is the answer: this instrument contains a list of specific skills that we consider essential to become a responsible digital citizen.
The DIMELI@SCHOOL Competence Framework is based on two important criteria:
Benchmarks indicate the specific objectives that a learner should accomplish. Teachers always keep them in mind to make sure they are guiding the learner in the right direction.
Indicators mark the level of acquisition of a specific competence. They help learners locate themselves in a wider perspective and allow them to identify areas for improvement.
Module 1: Online Safety
- Understanding cyber security
- Protecting yourself online
- Action on cyber security matters
Students may not be familiar with online safety. This module offers guidance on the different concepts of cyber security and shows ways to prevent cyber security matters and be protected when browsing online. Students will understand cyber security, will learn to protect themselves and their devices and finally will get into acting if a security breach happens.
Module 2: Media Industry
- Understand the definition of Traditional Media
- Recognize the different types of Traditional Media
- Participate in Traditional Media conversations
- Analyse and Evaluate the content shared through Traditional Media
The topic provides information on Traditional Media and the different types of traditional media (e.g. TV, Radio, Printed Material).
Module 3: Information Literacy
- Learning about the concept of information, the intentions behind it (including malevolent ones) and how it spreads
- Acquiring the instruments to distinguish reliable from unreliable pieces and sources of information and putting them into practice
- Creating awareness on the risks of disinformation and how to counter it
The concept of “information literacy” is not easily pinpointed, nor is its relationship with the concepts of “digital” and “media literacy”; various definitions, however, point to “competencies that emphasize the development of enquiry-based skills and the ability to engage meaningfully with media and information channels in whatever form and technologies they are using”. This module invites students to reflect on the way information spreads around us and in our societies, keeping in mind that information sources might be pursuing a specific agenda. Students will learn to weave their way through information received through different channels (with a focus on digital content), to identify indicators of less reliable or biased sources and to systematically disassemble and analyse a piece of information. Having assimilated the instruments to engage with information critically, they will be able to spread awareness on the topic among their peers and networks.
Module 4: Digital Manipulation
- Understanding Social Bots
- Recognizing Social Bots
- Reacting to Social Bots
- Raise awareness about social bots in the classroom
Based on the national research it became clear that students are not familiar with the concept of social bots and online opinion- manipulation. This module provides information on different kinds of social bots as well as information on the danger of social bots for citizens and democracy. Students will learn how to recognize, expose and react to social bots. Finally, students will create an awareness campaign to sensitive their classrooms and their school environment to the topic.
Module 5: Personal Threats
- Understanding Cyber Bullying and its Effects
- Realising and reporting Cyber Bullying
- Reacting to and Tackling Cyber Bullying
- Raise awareness about Cyber Bullying in the Local Community
Cyber or Online Bullying is a form of bullying or harassment by using electronic media. It has been spreading considerably, especially among children and teenagers. Cyber Bullying is when someone bully another person using the Internet, often Social Media sites (e.g. Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat etc) or using any other electronic or mobile means. This module provides basic information on Cyberbullying combining many available resources and proven methods. Young people, their families, peers and educators will learn how to identify, to prevent as well as to react to Cyber Bullying. Finally, students will create localised awareness campaigns and actions in their immediate environment.
Module 6: Managing Online Identity
- Learning about what comprises our digital identity and why it is important to be conscious of it;
- Acquiring the skillset needed to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate online behaviours that form one’s digital identity;
- Training students how to manage their online identity to avoid the pitfalls that may result from abusive or inappropriate behaviour and use of the internet.
In the digital era, our online identity is just as important and valid as our offline identity; sometimes even more so, as a lot of people see our online profile before they meet us. With this in mind, we must consider that the internet is forever: when something goes online, it can never be removed entirely. It is therefore of vital importance to maintain an online profile that paints us in a good light. It is also vital to maintain a balance between our online and our offline identity, through moderation in use, both in how long we spend in front of a screen and in what we do with our time in front of the screen.
This module, comprised by 3 topics, challenges students to reflect on their own online identity and form healthy and appropriate habits for their internet use. In the first topic, Netiquette, students will be taught that their online behaviour matters just as much as their offline behaviour, and that they need to be considerate of others when online. The second topic, Digital Footprint, will expand on the first topic, demonstrating the importance of being conscious of our online presence, and teach ways to maintain an active digital footprint that does not misrepresent them. Finally, Screen Time Management will show the students the importance of balance between their online and their offline personas, and teach them ways to moderate their actions and the amount of time they are online.
Overall, students will be shown ways to manage their behaviour on and around the internet, in a way that promotes their wellbeing and shields them from some of the major pitfalls of everyday technology.