Overview
The ability to identify credible information and make informed decisions is an essential skill for everyone in today’s digital world. As people increasingly rely on social media and online platforms for news, entertainment, and communication, it is important to understand how digital content is created, shared, and influenced. Many platforms are driven by undisclosed algorithms designed to maximise engagement, while the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easier than ever to generate and distribute convincing content.
As both creators and consumers of digital media, we all have a responsibility to think critically, evaluate sources, recognise misinformation, and understand the impact of our online behaviour. This Digital Media Literacy resource is a set of 8 units to designed to help learners navigate their online world.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand how media shapes the information we receive and how misinformation and disinformation are used to mislead.
- Understand the impact of algorithms, digital surveillance, and media ownership on the information ecosystem.
- Evaluate the credibility and reliability of media sources using critical thinking and fact checking skills.
- Make considered decisions about media engagement through awareness of digital citizenship and responsible participation in a digital community.
- Reflect on digital media habits and develop strategies for maintaining digital wellbeing.
Course Developers
This course was developed at Munster Technological University by Dr Catherine Palmer, Michael Costello, Colm O’Rourke and Michelle Power. The project was developed in collaboration with students at Munster Technological University together with academic and industry partners. Content and guidance were provided by Dr. Eileen Culloty, co-chair of Media Literacy Ireland, Associate Professor at Dublin City University and coordinator for EDMO Ireland. Funding was provided by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and supported by European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) Ireland.
Resources for educators & course teams
This section is not for taking the course. Use the Enrol button to get started.
If you would like to embed the course in your own Learning Management System (LMS), or reuse it as an Open Educational Resource (OER) under its open licence, you can email edtech@mtu.ie to request the SCORM files which can be adapted for your own context.
