New online course offers free training in media literacy

Hasselt’s PXL University College and the Knowledge Centre for Media Literacy are collaborating to provide a free course in media literacy beginning next January. The course deals with topics like online privacy, effective searching with Google and the impact of the digital world on our health.

For each topic, an expert will give an introduction and media coaches will assist participants in processing the subject matter. Participants can evaluate their progress through self-tests and will be encouraged to take part in discussions on online forums and social media. The course is organised via the Massive Open Online Course (Mooc), an education platform accessible to everyone.

“We don’t just target students, but also job-seekers and professionals,” said PXL’s general director, Ben Lambrechts.” Mooc is a hot topic in higher education and is already very popular in the US and Canada.”

The free online course takes 10 weeks. The government of Flanders, on the initiative of media minister Ingrid Lieten, is subsidising the programme.