Completed projects
DIGIRES
Digital Resistance
Period: 15.06.2018–31.10.2019
Funding: EU/CoE Joint Programme for international cooperation projects „Democratic and Inclusive School Culture in Operation“ (DISCO)
Project website: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/charter-edc-hre-pilot-projects/digital-resistance
Overall objective
To promote digital citizenship of pupils by supporting the development of digital skills and competences through inquiry-based learning methods and by using peer-education to build a “pupil’s community of digital citizens”
Specific objectives
- To raise awareness on issues such as discrimination, indoctrination and fake news found in the online environment and the influence of social media on politics and civil society
- To enhance pupils’ digital skills, competences, values and attitudes
- teaching them how to analyse the media in an objective way and consume digital media critically,
- helping them to develop an objective point of view and to question news-networks realising when a news or information is delivered uncritically from a single viewpoint.
- To encourage pupils’ use of creative and digital methods when presenting and elaborating relevant topics
- To foster the use of peer education paying particular attention to the “education triangle” of teachers, students and parents
- To build a community named “pupil’s community of digital citizens” where good practices from the participating countries will be shared
Outputs/expected results
- An inquiry-based learning strategy to enhance digital competences and critical thinking when consuming digital media and online content. This strategy will be available in the form of a digital handbook for teacher training.
- Teacher training implemented in all participating countries in association with partner schools. Two partner-schools in each participating country.
- Pupil’s assignment using inquiry-based learning: pupils will create outputs in the form of videos, vlogs, blogs, short movies, posters and online presentations that will be published on an online platform
- A “pupil’s community of digital citizens” will be established where pupils can get in touch with pupils from other countries and present their outputs. This platform that supports peer-to-peer learning, will allow pupils to exchange knowledge, good practices and share ideas.
- A concrete model to evaluate peer-learning-process will also be developed.
- In each participating country, a dissemination event will be organised to present the selected outputs of the inquiry-based learning produced by pupils and to promote the method
Staff involved from the University of Vienna
- Lead: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dirk Lange
- Scientific staff: Marco Mogiani MA, Alessandra Santoianni MSc, Johanna Urban BA MA
- Administration: Johanna Urban BA MA
Implementing organisations:
- Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany)
- University of Pavia (Italy)
- University of Vienna (Austria)
- 1st EPAL Korydallou/Athens – Public VET school (Greece)
- Buzau County School Inspectorate (Romania)
Partnering schools in Austria
Digital Resistance Handbook
Impressions from the peer day of action in Steyr in September 2019
On the 16th of September together with the partner schools Gymnasium Werndlpark (Steyr) and Gymnasium Geblergasse (Vienna), and in cooperation with Museum Arbeitswelt Steyr, a peer day of action to counter "fake news" was held.
The visiting students from lower secondary school were welcomed by the team from Uni Vienna.
Afterwards students from higher secondary school who were actively involved in the project, presented their videos, podcast episodes and comic.
The adolescents passed on their knowledge to the younger students.
Students could visit work stations related to different sub topics.
Some students had done research on conspiracy theories throughout the project.
During the day of action the students worked with tablets that were provided and their own smartphones.
Additionally a new quiz app was tested.
Not only were the students involved with a topic connected to media literacy contentwise, but they could also deepen their technical skills.
Within the frame of an additional work station, students had to assess the credibility of various news items.
Another topic that was presented was "journalism and fake news". Within this work station, students f.e. dealt with ethical standards in reporting or the discrediting of critical media reports through using the term "fake news".
After their successful participation students were provided with bags that were filled with relevant information material as a measure for dissemination.
Impressions from the partner meeting in Athens in June 2019
Athens
During the meeting the handbook was once more discussed in detail ...
... and additionally peer-activities for students in autumn were planned.
The Greek partner (EPAL Korydallou) distributed materials for dissemination.
Impressions from the partner meeting in Pavia in April 2019
Group picture with the participants.
In small groups the partners discussed the progress within the respective countries.
The partners also discussed further progression as well as teachers' and pupils' perspectives.
The outcomes were presented in front of the plenum afterwards.
Colin Isham evaluates the project.
The University of Pavia with three preserved towers in the back.
On its way home the Austrian team made a quick stopover in Milan and amongst others visited Milan's Cathedral.
The participating teachers Florian Bachofner-Mayr and Matthias Leichtfried on top of Milan's Cathedral.
All project partners as well as the Council of Europe as one of the funding institutions were represented at the meeting.
Impressions from the first teacher training on "fake news"
The teacher training took place on the 22nd of November 2018 at the University of Vienna.
Activities and concepts developed by the Council of Europe, such as the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture or Digital Citizenship Education were presented.
In small groups teachers discussed issues related to journalism and the verification of sources.
The participants had the chance to take a closer look at the documents provided by the Council of Europe.
The issue of visual manipulation was also discussed during the teacher training.
Impressions from the Kick-Off Meeting in Strasbourg in April 2018
Sjur Bergan, head of the educational department within the Council of Europe, welcomed the project partners involved in the funded projects "Digital Resistance" und "coLab - a laboratory for new forms of cooperation" and presented the educational department. (Foto: Council of Europe/Sandro Weltin)
The partners of both projects "Digital Resistance" und "coLab - a laboratory for new forms of cooperation" got an insight into projects of past years. (Foto: Council of Europe/Sandro Weltin)
The project consortium of "Digital Resistance". (Foto: Council of Europe/Sandro Weltin)
Within the Kick-Off meeting the consortium was discussing next steps for the implementation of the project. (Foto: Council of Europe/Sandro Weltin)
Bastian Vajen und Richard Heise from the University of Hanover presented the "Digital Resistance" project. (Foto: Council of Europe/Sandro Weltin)
The Kick-Off meeting was initiated by the Council of Europe and the European Union in Strasbourg.(Foto: Johanna Urban)
Group photo of project partners and representatives of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. (Foto: Council of Europe/Sandro Weltin)