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COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND MEDIA LITERACY OF SOCIAL PEDAGOGY STUDENT’S IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Pavel Doulik, J. Skoda, T. Curda

Abstract

This article deals with the issue of the state of media literacy and the level of interpersonal and communication skills of social pedagogy university students. The theoretical basis of the thesis is based on the definition of basic concepts such as literacy and competence, especially with regard to information literacy and the definition of media socialization, critical media literacy. Reflected is education leading to the acquisition of media linguistics. The paper presents the results of a research study aimed at finding out the links between the level of media literacy of university students and the level of communication skills in the individual specified areas, as well as the relationship between the level of media literacy and the approaches of the respondentsВ’ trust in the media. 256 respondents from faculties, which prepare students to become teachers in the Czech Republic, took part in the research study. Obtained results are ambiguous. It turns out that the influence of the level of media literacy on the level of communication skills of students is only marginal. The level of media literacy, however, has a greater impact on students' approach towards the media, especially their trust in the media. Overall, media literacy appears to be a concept that has not yet been theoretically firmly anchored, and there are not enough valid empirical studies. The results show the need to revise the curricula of social pedagogy and the need to include more courses with a focus on media education. It is not only about the level of application, but especially about the theoretical level and the level of empirical grasp of the whole concept of media literacy. At the same time, it appears that there is a need in the Czech Republic to anchor and define the profession of social pedagogue in order to act as official pedagogical staff in schools, especially in the field of primary prevention of socially pathological phenomena. Then, the full potential of social pedagogy can be used to reflect current events in society.

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