A learning community in the metaverse for media and information literacy of adults

<< Background >>The project recognises the increasing challenges of navigating credible information in the digital age and seeks to equip older adults with the necessary skills to critically evaluate and engage with media to empower individuals to engage actively and positively in a democratic society regardless of age. It utilises a metaverse-based learning environment to provide interactive learning stations, focusing on various aspects of MIL. With the increasing prevalence of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age it has never been more important to provide opportunities for people to enhance the ability to critically evaluate, interpret, and use information effectively. This project addresses a gap in existing initiatives that often focus on younger populations and emphasises the innovative use of technology to enhance adult learning. In terms of education, there are limited learning opportunities for seniors (those over 45) that promote these essential skills. This age group often struggles to understand the nuances of media in the age of social media so projects like this are essential.<< Objectives >>The project aims to foster critical thinking, ethical engagement, and civic participation through improved Media and Information Literacy (MIL) skills. It seeks to develop a scalable and replicable model for adult learning that benefits learners of all backgrounds.Key objectives include:- Raising awareness among target groups and stakeholders about the importance of enhancing MIL competencies in citizens.- Enhancing media and information literacy integration into education in formal and non-formal curricula for adult education providers, vocational education and training (VET), and higher education institutions.- Enhancing seniors’ competencies through participation in ALiVE Learning Stations in the metaverse.- Developing learning resources to improve educational opportunities for adult learners.- Establishing a Virtual Learning Community in the metaverse to facilitate lifelong learning and redefine online learning concepts.- Creating a Methodological Framework outlining MIL competencies for citizens based on European and international literature.- Assessing MIL competencies among adults over 45 to generate a common skills mapping.<< Implementation >>During the project, the following activities were carried out:- Development of a self-assessment tool based on the DigiComp 2.2 and UNESCO MIL Framework, aimed at evaluating the understanding, knowledge, and competencies of adult learners over 45 in digital, media, and information literacy.- Implementation of the self-assessment tool with adult learners in each partner country, followed by data analysis.- Creation of a methodological framework defining six areas of interest in digital, media, and information literacy, validated by pedagogical experts and adult education professionals in each partner country.- Development of an eLearning course with six learning stations, based on the methodological framework, designed for adult learners over 45.- Creation of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in the metaverse to complement and enhance the eLearning course.- Piloting the eLearning course and VLE with adult learners over 45 in five partner countries.- Organisation of dissemination events in all partner countries.- Development of a dissemination and exploitation plan to communicate the project’s activities and outputs.<< Results >>The outputs from the project were as follows:- A self assessment tool for adult learners over 45 years of age in the area of digital, media and information literacy- A methodological framework which defined six areas of interest; Media, Information and Data Literacy - Access; Media and Information Literacy - Evaluation and Management; Communication and Collaboration; Digital Content Creation; Safety and Problem Solving.- An elearning course with six learning stations.- A learning community in the metaverse which complements and enhances the elearning course. - A project website with a set of newsletters, videos, reports from the project which provide details of the activities and outputs from the project.- An ebook which documents the process and results of creating a self-assessment tool, methodological framework and interactive learning community- A series of reports documenting the various stages of the project including The Self Assessment ReportThe Methodological Framework Validation ReportThe Co Creation Hackathon ReportThe VLE Validation ReportNational Pilot Reports from Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and SpainNational Dissemination Seminar Reports from Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Ireland and Spain