Battle for title ‘Most Media-Literate Class in the Netherlands’ begins

While playing the exciting game, the pupils combine their media-literacy skills and learn how to deal with topics such as privacy, cybercrime and online bullying in a media-savvy way. Last year, year 8c of KDBS Het Tangram from Rotterdam was the winning class. Their successor will be announced on 18 November.

When are you ‘On or off’?

How do apps, chats and digital tools help us in life? And when does technology actually get in our way? When do you choose to be on or off? This year, the Week of Media Literacy focuses on the theme ‘On or off?’. With this theme, the Media Literacy Network is focusing on how and when we use media.

During the Week of Media Literacy, children will also get to work on their media literacy. With MediaMasters, participating classes are challenged over five game days to help the main characters in the game. They do this by working on questions and assignments about media-literacy topics both at school and at home. This year, attention will be paid to privacy, cybercrime, online identity, social media, advertising, information skills, data trails, games, vlogging, representation, technology & the future, and online bullying.

NPO series Hunted inspires MediaMasters storyline

This year, the content of the serious game is inspired by the popular NPO series Hunted. In MediaMasters, a group of four characters faces the challenge of remaining anonymous and staying in one location for 24 hours. They must do so without being caught by the team of cyber experts searching for their identities and location. Fortunately, they receive help from the ‘MediaMasters’ in the classes. It is important to leave as few data trails as possible, which turns out to be far from easy. “The characters in the game and the children in the classroom become aware that being online a lot often also means leaving your data behind. In this way, the game also ties in nicely with the theme of the Week of Media Literacy: On or off?” says Sarah Hijmans, content producer and chief editor.

Four new MediaMasters ambassadors

This year, no fewer than four professionals are joining MediaMasters as ambassadors. During the 10th edition of the Week of Media Literacy, presenter and journalist Samya Hafsaoui, AZ’s first official FIFA eSporter Aristote Ndunu, the Netherlands’ youngest ethical hacker Jurre Groenendijk, and TekkieWorden vlogger Roos Cocolien Steigenga are working to make pupils more media-literate.

Special education and secondary education

MediaMasters is also available for deaf or hard-of-hearing children in years 7 and 8. Special education has its own ranking and grand prize. The videos are subtitled and will be supported with sign language during the Week of Media Literacy. This year, MediaMasters is also available for the first year of secondary school, likewise with its own ranking and grand prize.

Photo: Testing the MediaMasters Game at De Ark primary school in Amstelveen. Photo: Jorrit Lousberg.