Produced for @empowervmedia Edited & fact-checked by @jorgebscomm Modern smear campaigns: anonymous digital attacks, sensational media lies, and public slander erode reputations and trust. (📷:empowervmedia) C haracter assassination is defined as the deliberate and systematic destruction of an individual’s reputation or credibility through strategic communicative attacks that target their private lives, values, and core identity. While the human impulse to discredit rivals is as old as the recorded history of the Pharaohs or the Roman Senate, the current decade has introduced a level of scale and precision that has transformed this ancient tactic into a ubiquitous feature of global discourse. In the period spanning 2024 and 2025, the world witnessed a profound convergence of technical capability and social fragmentation, creating a fertile environment for what scholars describe as "reputation politics" . This is not merely a byproduct of internet anonymity; it is a cal...
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Crafting Effective Pedagogy: Strategies for Teaching Communication & Media
This article, the eighth in a series of ten, explores effective pedagogical approaches and strategies for teaching communication and media in higher education. Drawing upon evidence-based research from diverse disciplines, it examines innovative practices that promote student engagement, critical thinking, and the acquisition of essential communication and media literacy skills. The article offers practical recommendations for educators, highlighting strategies that cater to the evolving needs of students in the contemporary media landscape.
Teaching communication and media in the 21st century demands a dynamic and multifaceted approach. A rapidly changing media landscape, coupled with evolving student demographics and learning styles, necessitates a shift away from traditional, lecture-based instruction. Effective educators must embrace innovative pedagogical strategies that foster active learning, critical thinking, and the development of essential communication and media literacy skills (Bergmann & Sams, 2012; Bonwell & Eison, 1991; Kapp, 2012; Mitra & Dangwal, 2017; McLaughlin, 2023).
Key Components of Effective Communication & Media Pedagogy
Active Learning: Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of active learning methods in enhancing student engagement and knowledge retention (Freeman et al., 2014; Prince, 2004). Strategies like problem-based learning, collaborative projects, and role-playing simulations encourage students to actively participate in the learning process, apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, and develop critical thinking skills.
Technology Integration: Digital technologies offer a wealth of opportunities to enhance communication and media education (Bates, 2019; Becker et al., 2017; Mishra & Koehler, 2006). Online learning platforms, collaborative tools, and multimedia resources can facilitate personalized learning, foster engagement through interactive activities, and provide students with access to diverse media content for analysis and discussion.
Critical Thinking & Media Literacy: In an information-saturated world, equipping students with critical thinking and media literacy skills is paramount (Hobbs, 2011; Potter, 2018). Educators can integrate activities that encourage students to analyse media messages, identify biases, evaluate sources, and develop strategies for navigating the complex media landscape.
Assessment & Feedback: Effective assessment goes beyond traditional exams (Brookhart, 2013; Wiggins & McTighe, 2005). Educators should utilize a diverse range of assessment tools, such as portfolios, peer assessments, and self-evaluations, to gauge student progress and provide meaningful feedback that promotes continuous improvement.
Dr. Jordan Peterson on Critical Thinking ▶️32s
Emerging Trends & Innovative Approaches
Flipped Classroom: This model reverses the traditional learning process, with students independently engaging with learning materials online before attending class (Bergmann & Sams, 2012). Classroom time is then devoted to deeper discussions, group activities, and problem-solving, fostering a more interactive and personalized learning experience.
Gamification: Incorporating game-based elements into instruction can enhance student motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes (Kapp, 2012). Gamified activities can include interactive simulations, point systems, and leader boards, effectively fostering a sense of achievement and competition.
"Games are the ideal learning environment with their built-in permission to fail, encouragement of out-of-box thinking, and sense of control." - Karl Kapp
Microlearning: Providing students with bite-sized learning modules delivered through various formats, such as podcasts, videos, and infographics, can cater to diverse learning styles and attention spans (Mitra & Dangwal, 2017). This approach promotes flexible learning opportunities and facilitates knowledge retention.
Recommendations for Educators
• Embrace a student-centred approach: Focus on creating a classroom environment that encourages active participation, collaboration, and open communication.
• Utilize diverse learning resources and activities: Cater to individual learning styles and preferences by incorporating a variety of instructional materials and activities.
• Promote critical thinking and media literacy: Encourage students to question, analyse, and evaluate information critically, fostering responsible and informed media consumers.
• Incorporate technology strategically: Utilize digital tools and resources to enhance learning and engagement but avoid over-reliance on technology.
• Seek continuous feedback and reflection: Actively seek feedback from students and colleagues, and engage in self-reflection to refine and improve your teaching practice.
Effective pedagogy in communication and media education requires a commitment to continuous innovation and a willingness to adapt to the changing needs of students and the media landscape (Hattie, 2008). By embracing evidence-based practices, integrating technology effectively, and fostering a student-centred learning environment, educators can empower students to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible media consumers, preparing them for success in the 21st century.
Produced for @empowervmedia Edited & fact-checked by @jorgebscomm * Effective communication is a cornerstone of quality healthcare. (📷: carlow.edu ) Imagine sitting across from a doctor or nurse after days of pain or worry: the words they use and how they listen may change your entire experience of care. Communication is one of the foundations of healthcare; every patient interaction depends on it, from explaining a treatment to guiding recovery . Communication is a critical clinical competence because it establishes trust between providers and patients . When providers take time to listen and explain information clearly, patients tend to feel more at ease and errors become far less likely. Poor communication was shown to cause between 10% and 25% of patient safety incidents . In other words, talking and listening carefully isn’t just nice; it literally keeps patients safer and helps them heal. Healthcare Communication ▶️ 2m33s Building Trust Through Empathy and Clarity...
Produced by @jorgebscomm for @empowervmedia * FACT-CHECKED ✅ Digital media has reshaped not only how we access information but also how we experience time and meaning in our constantly connected world. (📷:progressive-charlestown) In the analogue era, clocks and other time-keeping devices carried a narrative rhythm; a visible arc that gave people a palpable sense of time passing. Today’s digital clocks, by contrast, lack a fluid narrative, presenting time in stark, static figures. This shift symbolically mirrors our current digital media environment, where the absence of narrative progression leads many to feel as though history or our future is abruptly ending. The sudden, disjunctive experience of digital time creates an emotional vacuum that some interpret as apocalyptic, pushing individuals toward the belief that everything is collapsing around them. Studies indicate that narrative deficits in digital interfaces contribute to user disorientation and heightened anxiety ...
Produced for @empowervmedia Edited & fact-checked by @jorgebscomm Context collapse flattens the usual boundaries we manage in everyday life, making it hard to tailor our message to each group. (📷:colostate.edu) Context collapse occurs when formerly separate social contexts all come together into one audience space [1] [2] . In physical life we adjust our behaviour based on who we’re talking to (we speak differently to a boss than to old friends). But on social networks, those circles overlap. For example, a single Facebook post or tweet might be seen by your family, college friends, coworkers, and even strangers all at once. This is what Jessica Vitak calls “the flattening out of multiple distinct audiences” [1] . Because of this, information can suddenly spread far and wide (a casual comment intended for friends might end up reaching colleagues or acquaintances) [3] . 'Context Collapse' ▶️2m02s In practice, this mixing of audiences can be jarring. As one blogger v...
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