MILbox - media and information literacy toolbox

<< Background >>Research conducted in Lithuania showed that 95% of 1-5-year-olds have at least half an hour of screen time daily. In the same study, 40% of parents said their children use the internet, i.e. YouTube. This means that primary students are more exposed to the content they get online, but there is usually no formal teaching in primary education related to media and information literacy (MIL) (Frau-Meigs et al., 2017). Teachers in primary education may not have the necessary experience to critically assess a particular tool's pedagogical implications and be familiar with the ethical issues such platforms raise for student data privacy (Foulger, Wetzel, & Buss, 2019).The main project target groups are primary education TEACHERS and primary STUDENTS. TEACHERS needed relevant knowledge, practical, ready-made teaching materials, various educational tools, and guidance on basic MIL knowledge. PRIMARY STUDENTS needed attractive learning methods to keep their attention and focus. MIL skills acquisition should be tailored to their experience and connected with their life situations. Else, it will not be relevant.<< Objectives >>The project goal was to create a toolbox for primary teachers with various tools that would help to integrate media and information literacy topics in their teaching and learning activities through engaging means. To achieve the goal, several objectives needed:- the toolbox needed to address multiple MIL topics and contextualise the learning to be meaningful for primary students;- the tools required to be practice-oriented would be easy to apply in different learning situations and contexts. - all tools must be complemented with guidance for teachers to provide them with basic knowledge of MIL (learning material) and good examples showing how different topics can be integrated into different subject knowledge activities. - a learning community among the teachers so they could share challenges and successes.<< Implementation >>T.1 Identification of good practices and needs for better student engagement and teaching media and information literacy inprimary schools; T.2 Making the first set of tools (Alpha version); T.3 Creating digital space for the dissemination; T.4 First round of pilots - Testing Alpha version;T.5 Improving and adjusting (Beta version); T.6 Defining the teachers training needs; T.7 Developing training content (initial version); T.8 Second round of pilots (Testing Beta 1); T.9 Test of training content; T.10 Improving and adjusting (Final version);T.11 Collecting best practices; T.12 Making open educational resources (OER);T.13 Making final Toolbox.3 multiplier events (Lithuania, Finland, Greece).Project implementation activities: PI1 Developing and monitoring project management plan; PI2 Developing and monitoring quality assurance plan; PI3 Developing and monitoring risk management and conflict resolution plan; PI4 Developing project’s branding material; PI5 Developing and monitoring dissemination and exploitation plan; PI6 Developing sustainability strategy.<< Results >>- 1 MILbox toolbox- 21 media and information literacy tools (online and offline) for teachers (including engagement tips)- 7 teacher training modules- 1 MIL Integration Guidebook for Primary Teachers- 12 case studies and best practices- 6 open educational resources- 1 primary teachers database- 3 media and information literacy and learning engagement (MILLiE) conventions- training of 60 teachers in MILLiE conventions- 2 pilots involving 14 schools, 25 teachers and 402 students- 21 articles - 22 social media posts- 6 presentations in various events- 104783 peoples reached through dissemination activities- 1 policy brief for policymakers - 1 digital space (project website)- 3 national teacher facilitation groups- project visual brand (logo, templates)- improved collaboration and co-creation skills for teachers- more engaging and inclusive teaching methods for online and offline education- increased students engagement and motivation- increased students digital skills- increased students achievement- increased capacity of partner organisations for creating innovative and practice-oriented tools for teachers and also