Concerns about information overload, fake news, the pressures of social media and the overwhelming pace of digital innovation are in the air. At the same time, media education has almost disappeared from secondary education curricula, and is sometimes viewed with suspicion as an academic subject. This Beds Talk aims to examine this contradiction by presenting a case for digital literacy with concrete suggestions and examples. There will be plenty of case studies and examples and the opportunity for the audience to share their questions, joys and frustrations with our media saturation.

Organised by Dr Carlota Larrea, Head of School of Culture and Communications

Prof David Buckingham is a leading internationally recognised expert on children’s and young people’s interactions with electronic media, and on media literacy education. He has published over 30 books in this area, the latest being “”The Media Education Manifesto”. He was the founder and director of the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media, and is currently emeritus Professor at Loughborough University and Visiting Professor at King’s College London. https://davidbuckingham.net/about/

He will speak about media literacy in the age of digital capitalism.

Dr Mark Margaretten is a lecturer in Journalism at the University of Bedfordshire School of Culture and Communications. His areas of specialism include data journalism and politicians’ use of social media, and his PhD discussed the notion of authenticity through analysing the use of Twitter by British politicians. He will illustrate how to help students detect dodgy content online. He is inspired by the “Calling Bullshit” toolkit designed at the University of Washington.

Damien Massias is a life coach. His presentation will draw on his professional experience helping people with an unhealthy relationship with social media. He has recently published “The Magpie Effect: Your complete and comprehensive guide to surviving and enjoying the twisted social media era”, a direct and engaging survey that acknowledges the many benefits of of social media while considering their negative psychological impact.

Agenda

5.30 Registration

6.00 Welcome and introduction

6:05 Can you tell your MOJO from your AMA or your FOMO? Jargon buster quiz

6:15 Prof David Buckingham: Media literacy in the age of digital capitalism

6: 30 Dr Mark Margaretten: “Calling bullshit"

6:45 Damien Massias: Navigating social media

7:30 Panel Q&A

8.00 Refreshments and networking