Content analysis of the reflection of media literacy in communication curricula of select Nigerian universities

World of Media

Elizabeth Titilayo Aduloju¹ 

[1] Catholic Institute of West Africa;

关键词: communication curricula;    digital era;    digital literacy;    media content;    media literacy;    media literacy skills;    nigerian universities;    students;   

DOI  :  10.30547/worldofmedia.3.2019.3

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Media literacy enables people to interpret and make informed judgments as users of digital technology sources, as well as to become producers of media contents in their own right. However, many Nigerian universities are not aware of this literacy or have not included it in their curricula. This study analysed the media-literacy content in curricula of nine select universities in Africa’s most populous nation: Nigeria. Some key findings revealed that: (a) media-literacy courses proper were not on the curricula; (b) media-literacy-related courses, which stood as proxies, accounted for about two per cent of the curricula; and (c) media-literacy-related courses were available to students only as electives. The present research indicates that media-literate students tend to be skilled in accessing information about their health, environment, education and work. They would also be able to evaluate media content critically and to make informed decisions as users of digital technology sources, as well as to becoming producers of media contents in their own right. Based on the accumulated skills of media literacy for contemporary young people, it was recommended that communications programmes redesign their curricula to include media literacy and related courses. Also, communication educators should be more receptive to the importance of media literacy skills in the education of their students.

【 授权许可】

Unknown