The Internet has become an integral part of children and young people’s lives.
However, the increased time spent online is prompting questions about whether they are in control of their internet usage and if they are aware of the side effects and the causes of maladaptive behaviours related to excessive or problematic Internet use.
This is where ON-OFF4YOUNGSTERS intends to act! It aims to increase the competence of teachers and children in media literacy, so to increase awareness of the risks related to excessive Internet use.
ON-OFF4YOUNGSTERS will develop a new curriculum to improve the competencies of teachers for delivering subjects extending past their knowledge and enhance the understanding of children with respect to constant engagement with the Internet. The curriculum will be enhanced by Augmented Reality and infused with digital resources. The pedagogical methodology will be perfected through a series of iterations involving the execution of workshops and the subsequent improvements of the curriculum and delivery methodology.
The overall objective is the development of a toolkit:
- to help professionals working with children reach out to children with a view to help them identify the behavioural, situational and structural causes that lead to excessive screen time,
- to encourage youngsters’ uptake of a balanced behaviour between online engagement and offline alternatives based on a fun and positive atmosphere.
ON-OFF4YOUNGSTERS supports activities that implement best practices and tools for teachers to help them communicate with children in a way adapted to their age and stages of development and thus improve the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom.
ON-OFF4YOUNGSTERS also supports activities designed to identify and develop effective approaches to involve children more in the teaching process by capitalising on Augmented Reality and new media technologies to deliver a lasting educational experience.