To
introduce and to advocate the need of media education for primary
school students are the objectives of this one-year project
(July 2001 - July 2002) funded by the Quality Education fund.
It comprised of two stages: 1) 'Stand Up Show and Talk Tour'
were set up in 35 primary schools introducing the concept of
media awareness; 2) conducted 'Media Education workshop' in
8 schools (8 sessions each) to provide students a chance to
learn through experience and through their participation in
inter-school drama performances, they learn to share their thoughts
regarding the media and its impact on people.
Stand
Up Show is an interesting format that attracts students' attentions
and therefore their involvements. With the interactive participation
technique, students were encouraged to examine the relationship
between the media and their everyday life. To end the session
in a talk concluding the purposes and the need for media education
has proven to be an ideal arrangement. This was well received
by both the students and the teachers.
In the 8 sessions
of drama workshop, students were provided a chance to learn
through production. By getting to know the elements in drama,
and joining in discussions and analysis, drama scripts were
drawn up in joint effort to express their views on media. This
process of learning through experience had indeed influenced
the hearts of the students and roused their awareness as shown
in the evaluation process.
To
share what the students had learned, an inter-school drama performance
created for them was put on stage in a public theatre on May
20. Besides the teachers, parents and students of the schools
involved, special guests were invited to participate. The Curriculum
Development Officer of the Curriculum Development Institute,
Hong Kong Education Department, Mrs. Yuen Au Sin-yee was invited
as the guest speaker. Representatives from the Quality Education
Fund and our two honorable volunteer consultants, Dr. Alice
Lee (Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, Hong Kong
Baptist University) and Mr. Jeremy Yung (Executive Producer,
RTHK) were also invited to attend. Our guests were amazed at
the performance.
The
project was able to reach 14,000 students and 193 teachers and
it was positively received. Most of the teachers believe that
integrating media education into different subjects is possible
and can be worked out. And with regard to the review of the
educational policy they agreed that media education is a relevant
topic to be adopted in schools.
After this
first step we receive direct response from the junior students.
Teachers marveled that media subjects could be tackled as such
methods. The path toward working in partner with schools has
launched yet it requires further cultivation from involved parties.
