Learning Digital Responsibility: Medienschüler Help Medienschüler
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Student Aid Network: Peer Students Offering Assistance to Peers - Peer Assistance: College Students Offering Academic Support to Their Peers
In schools across Saxony-Anhalt, specially-trained young people are learning to help their peers navigate the digital world responsibly. The initiative "Medienschüler Saxony-Anhalt" was officially launched at the State Institute for School Quality and Teacher Training in Halle, as announced by the Ministry of Education.
These so-called Medienschüler cover hot topics like social media, artificial intelligence (AI), fake news, data protection, and cyberbullying.
"Kids often connect better with kids than adults. They're aware of the latest trends and challenges and can relate on more equal terms," said Education Minister Eva Feußner (CDU). The Medienschüler supplement and amplify the work of teachers, making media education relatable and hands-on in the classroom. "Our schools must be havens where students grow to be independent, responsible digital citizens," the Minister added.
Teachers at participating schools must first complete a special Medienschüler training program. Students also receive training, with learners from grade 4 and above being addressed. A network of schools statewide is being planned, actively promoting media literacy and supporting each other in their efforts, the Ministry of Education further announced. It's an initiative from the Media Pedagogical Consultation Saxony-Anhalt and is accompanied by the State Centre for Political Education and the education initiative "Medienschüler in Saxony".
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Education
- Saxony
- BMBF
What's a Medienschüler?
A Medienschüler is a student who learns to support their peers in handling digital media responsibly.
The Basics of the Initiative:
- Peer-to-Peer Education: Students are trained to act as Medienschüler, allowing them to teach their peers how to use digital media safely and effectively.
- Focus on Digital Literacy: The goal is to improve digital literacy from the fourth grade, ensuring students develop essential skills for navigating the digital world competently.
The Bigger Picture:
While this initiative is specific to Saxony-Anhalt, similar efforts across Germany are an integral part of a broader national strategy to promote media literacy and digital education. Efforts like the Medienschüler initiative contribute to the push for integrating digital skills into school curricula and encouraging peer-to-peer learning models that appeal to young people on digital issues.
[1] Artificial Intelligence[3] Cyberbullying[5] Fake News, Data Protection
- The Community policy in Saxony-Anhalt should include the integration of vocational training for Medienschüler, focusing on education-and-self-development areas like social media, artificial intelligence, fake news, data protection, and cyberbullying.
- As part of their vocational training, Medienschüler in Saxony-Anhalt are equipped with the skills for learning and teaching effective and responsible use of digital media, providing much-needed support in their communities for digital literacy and media education.
