Question at hand: Is the readiness of teachers in Brandenburg adequately addressed in the field of Informatics and Media Education?
Monika Stein, the Chairwoman of the GEW in Baden-Württemberg, has emphasised the importance of equipping young people with the skills to handle harmful content online. She believes that a new curriculum for 'Computer Science and Media Education', set to be implemented in the school year 2027/28, will play a crucial role in this endeavour.
Stein is against a blanket ban on mobile phone use for young people, instead advocating for an education-focused approach. She highlights that not everyone will be reached if these competencies are not taught in school. The GEW believes that students need to acquire competencies for the critical handling of social media, a skill that is increasingly relevant in today's digital age.
The GEW has expressed concern about the lack of professional development for teachers, particularly in media competence. Stein suggests that the involvement of students in the development of content for the new subject could be beneficial. She would have liked to see the participation of the Baden-Württemberg Student Council in this process.
Until the new curriculum is implemented, schools should orient themselves towards the contents of media education already conveyed in other subjects. Stein has criticised current project work in schools as insufficient for teaching students to critically handle social media content.
Understanding how algorithms work and why certain content keeps appearing is important for the critical handling of social media, according to Stein. She believes that adults may not always know what kind of content young people consume on social media, making it all the more crucial for these skills to be taught in school.
The Ministry of Education in Baden-Württemberg has announced supporting measures for teachers before the subject 'Computer Science and Media Education' starts in the 2027/28 school year. These measures include workshops based on the state's curriculum competencies, offered at the Lehr-Lern-Labor Informatik at the Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe. These workshops provide practical experience for teacher trainees and professional development for current teachers through new teaching ideas and subject-matter input.
Stein hopes that the new subject will teach students how to critically handle content on social media. She believes that this focus is necessary to ensure that young people can navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Stein also advocates for the Ministry of Education to support teachers in teaching the new subject.
According to the GEW, young people might ask adults for help less often if a blanket ban is implemented. Therefore, it is necessary that the critical handling of social media is taught in school, according to the GEW. Not all parents have the time and competence to sufficiently inform and educate their children about social media, making schools an essential platform for this education.
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