Critical media literacy among International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme graduates

Abstract

The amount of media is increasing and expanding, and various media and technology literacy skills can be essential in the global and technological societies. It is easier to access media with improved information and communication technologies, and many societies require a constant use of media for completing general tasks and chores. Despite of this increasing media consumption, the system does not necessarily demand a media critical outlook from their citizens. School curriculums require classes to include more extensive media and technology education but the practical and critical implementation is often up to the individual initiative of the teacher and the educational environment. This thesis explores how International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) graduates learned critical media literacy during the programme and how the concept benefited them after their graduation in further education and life in general. Using the qualitative thematic interview methods, this thesis analysed the experiences of ten IBDP graduates who graduated from Lyseonpuiston lukio in Rovaniemi, Finland and continued to further academic education. The participants thought there is a need for critical media literacy in the current society and the educational curriculums should reflect this need as well. Teachers should use practical examples from the popular media and the surrounding culture when educating their students how to use critical media literacy in their studies and free time.