#GlobalEducation?: Social Media, pedagogy and activism

This seminar with Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon addresses the evolvement of pedagogical content on Global Education topics across social media (SM).

Scholars have sought to evaluate knowledge gained through SM, and/or debated its effectiveness in mobilising collective action. Shifting focus from top-down evaluations of such content online, this seminar looks to understand how those most active experience pedagogical content on Global Education on SM.

Focus groups with high school and university students across the UK highlight four key findings:

1. Young people are extremely cautious about trusting information on SM.
2. Trust is more likely with content from those they feel personally connected to.
3. Exposure to lived-experience through SM creates affective learning and reflexivity.
4. SM can provide a catalyst for further learning and activism.

Thus, for better or for worse, educators must acknowledge SM shapes understandings of global injustice and adapt teaching to embrace and equip students with appropriate critical skills.

This event will be particularly useful for educators and researchers.

Related links

• Development Education Research Centre
• Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

Image

Looker_Studio via Adobe Stock.