Media and Information Literacy Competencies of Students: A Case for School-based Interventions in India

Abstract

The arrival of the 21st century has brought along new technologies that have quickly become part of our daily lives. These changes have impacted the creation, collection, dissemination and even information retrieval. In this context, it is vital to understand media literacy competency levels among school students. There is also a need to understand the changes required in such programs to figure out barriers, enablers, etc. In India, Media and Information Literacy education was introduced in schools via media clubs set up by the Central Institute of Educational Technology as part of a National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) project launched in 2009-2010. Subsequently, it was introduced as an elective subject in 2011 at the senior secondary level. Over 65 schools across the country offered it. This study evaluates the MIL competency levels of students who have pursued this course. A Non-Equivalent Control Group Post-test Only Quasi-Experimental design was used to test the media competency levels of media and non-media students. Competency levels of 210 candidates from seven schools across the country are evaluated in the study. Based on the findings, changes were suggested at the policy, pedagogy and curriculum level. This is a first-of-its-kind study in India. The study identifies problem areas and suggests solutions for curriculum refinement and structural changes needed for effective media education. It proposes a roadmap for future media educators.