Kids and Credibility: An Empirical Examination of Youth, Digital Media Use, and Information Credibility
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning, published by the MIT Press in collaboration with the Monterey Institute for Technology and Education (MITE), present findings from current research on how young people learn, play, socialise and participate in civic life. The reports result from research projects funded by the MacArthur Foundation as part of its $50 million initiative in digital media and learning.
Kids and Credibility: An Empirical Examination of Youth, Digital Media Use, and Information Credibility - the latest publication in this series - looks at how well children navigate the ocean of information that is available online. The authors Andrew Flanagin and Miriam Metzger report on a web-based survey of 2,747 children, aged 11 to 18 (and their parents) examining children's online information-seeking strategies and their beliefs about the credibility of that information. The survey confirmed children's heavy reliance on the internet. They are concerned about the credibility of online information, but 89 percent believe that ‘some’ to ‘a lot’ of it is believable; and, choosing among several options, they rate the Internet as the most believable information source for entertainment, commercial products, and schoolwork (more credible than books for papers or projects). Most have faith in information found on Wikipedia, but they also consider an article on the web site of Encyclopaedia Britannica to be more believable than the identical article posted on Wikipedia. Other findings show that children are appropriately skeptical of trusting strangers they meet online, but not skeptical enough about entertainment and health information found online. Older kids are more rigorous in their assessment of online information than younger ones; younger children are less analytical and more likely to be fooled.
Full report: http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/full_pdfs/Kids_and_Credibility.pdf

MÁSTER OFICIAL INTERUNIVERSITARIO DE COMUNICACIÓN Y EDUCACIÓN AUDIOVISUALPor primera vez se pone en marcha en España un Máster Oficial Interuniversitario en Comunicación y Educación Audiovisual con 21 Universidades implicadas y 51 profesores de alta cualificación en esta temática de todo el territorio español y portugués.A iniciativa de la Universidad Internacional de Andalucía y la Universidad e Huelva, el Máster, que dará acceso al Doctorado, permitirá la formación de edu-comunicadores, expertos en alfabetización audiovisual, con un doble itinerario en TIC y Comunicación, permitiendo la especialización comunicativa a los educadores y profesores y la formación ética y educativa para los comunicadores.El Máster es una apuesta formativa de alto nivel, que aspira a contar con alumnos cualificados, profesionales y motivados, en el universo de la edu-comunicación de toda la comunidad iberoamericana.En estos momentos se ha abierto el  período de preinscripciones, una vez que el Máster ha sido Verificado por la Agencia Nacional de la Calidad (ANECA).Te ruego por favor que difundas el mismo entre todos los potenciales interesados.Para visitar el Máster, puedes entrar en la web oficial del mismo:
www.uhu.es/master-educomunicacionDr. José Ignacio Aguaded Gómez
هذا البريد محمى من المتطفلين , تحتاج إلى تشغيل الجافا سكريبت لمشاهدته
www.uhu.es/master-educomunicacion

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Soliya Publishes Research on Media and Intergroup Relations

Soliya released the results of groundbreaking neuroscience research exploring media’s impact on intergroup relations.  The research was conducted in 2008 and 2009 by labs at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the New School for Social Research and supported by the Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund prior to its merger with Soliya.

While it is generally accepted that media has a profound impact on audiences, there has been little research into precisely how media influences attitudes.  The findings from this research, supported by the AOCMF over the past two years, have profound potential to advance the broader field of media for social change.  They will also inform the planning and implementation of Soliya’s programs and activities in the coming years. 

The published research report was published as a bilingual (Arabic/English) booklet in cooperation with the Dubai International Film Festival, which featured a panel on the evening of Sunday, December 13, 2009 for Soliya to present and discuss the findings.  The Dubai International Film Festival, which is themed, “Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds” distributed it to every participant in this year’s Festival.

Arabic version.

English version.