Technology and the media

The media plays a significant role in shaping and defining our culture and our view of the world. New technologies continue to transform the way we work and learn. Download the technology and the media overview.

Informed and responsible citizenship requires that young people become critical consumers of media, able to reflect on the relationship between reality and the world portrayed by the media. They should be aware of the ability of the media to inform, entertain and influence public opinion, and its important role in society. Young people need opportunities to become discerning and critically literate in relation to the media and the internet, learning to question the authenticity, accuracy and reliability of the information they encounter.

Similarly, to participate fully in a technology-driven society, young people must develop the practical skills to use technology confidently and productively. They need to develop the competencies to use technology safely and effectively to find things out, try things out, develop and present their ideas, and communicate and collaborate with others across the world.

Developments in technology continue to change the relationship between consumers and producers. Technology gives unprecedented access to events, experiences, opinions and sources of knowledge from around the world. It allows young people to communicate and collaborate with others locally and internationally, and extends the range of opportunities they have to develop as successful learners and global citizens.

Developing a curriculum that supports the technology and media dimension

In order to help learners appreciate the role of technology and the media in their lives and make informed decisions about how to use it, they should have opportunities across the curriculum to:

• access and use a rich range of technologies, including broadcast media, film, printed communications, games, web, podcasts and animation

• consider media as both consumers and authors of content

• develop the skills to adapt to the changing nature of both technologies and media

• ask and answer questions such as: ‘Can I believe what I read?’, ‘How can I use technology safely?’ and ‘How can the media be used to benefit society?’

• use technology to create products for real situations, and increase their awareness of its role in the creative industries and media

• access a culturally and historically diverse range of technologies and media products

• access the information that contextualises the way in which technologies are used and media products are made

• use technology to personalise learning, so they can work at different times, in different places and with a wider audience.