Smart Bear, Language Dolls, and Kids Analyzer – these tools and toys were developed and explored by participants in a maker workshop as they grappled with the future of education in a smart society. The influence of visual language in the constant flood of images surrounding us and the confrontation with hate speech in daily media communication were topics of further workshops in the seminar "Trial & Error – Living, Learning, and Working in Networked Worlds," held from December 10th to 14th, 2018, with prospective educators.
Digital connectivity is increasingly permeating all areas of life. Even in kindergarten, children begin playfully exploring technology and its possibilities. At the same time, the learning environment itself is becoming subject to digitalization. What work simplifications and new learning opportunities could digital connectivity bring, and what ethical principles and rules should underlie it in a democratic society? Against this backdrop, participants in the maker workshop tried their hand at programming Calliope and Makey Makey boards, building prototypes for practical digital tools and equipment for the smart kindergarten or youth club of tomorrow.
Fake or fact? Our understanding of the world and the formation of opinions are strongly influenced by the perception of images. However, manipulating images has become child's play. Even on one's own smartphone, for example, a FaceApp can be quickly installed, allowing any portrait to be manipulated at will. Participants in the Black and White Photography workshop. They explored the background and mechanisms of influence in order to handle images and their informational content more confidently and to use them in their educational work.
From their research and discussions, they developed their own concepts, creating films and photographs in the lab, which they presented in an exhibition at the end of the seminar. These works explore the shift in perspective between truth and perception, product image and reality, and the beauty ideals and supposed norms that arise from media images.
Please note that by clicking/starting this link, data will be transmitted to Flickr (see privacy policy).
Link to photographic works on Flickr
The ability to convey content through images, transcending language barriers, offers a great opportunity inclusion to life online . However, images often exclude rather than include – through a visual language that reinforces prejudices, reflects and perpetuates stereotypes. Through the production of their own multimedia content, participants in the multimedia workshop explored this issue of exclusion and inclusion in the digital world, developing their own videos from storyboard to filming and post-production. Two of these videos can be viewed on Vimeo.
Links to watch the videos: Please note that by clicking/starting the video, data will be transmitted to Vimeo (see privacy policy)
“Gender – typical male and female”
“Stereotypes”
No hate speech! Social networks are part of our everyday lives. Unfortunately, hate speech is also part of this, where comments and posts are used to denigrate, attack, or incite hatred or violence against people. Who are the people and algorithms/bots behind this? What interests and goals are being pursued? And what strategies can we develop to counteract group-based hostility? The participants of the "Staged Reading" workshop conducted a fascinating Skype interview with Sina Laubenstein, journalist and social media expert, who leads the " No Hate Speech Movement " campaign for the New German Media Makers . (The wannseeFORUM Foundation, as a provider of cultural and political education, has also been an official supporter of the Council of Europe's No Hate Speech campaign since 2018.) Based on this conversation, as well as further research into the background of hate speech and discussions on strategies for addressing it and promoting democratic action in a networked world, the participants developed their own texts and presented them in a final presentation.
Please note that clicking/starting the video will transmit data to Flickr (see privacy policy)
. Impressions from the "Trial & Error" seminar on Flickr
All seminar results presented in the final presentation offer insight into the nuanced discussions in all workshop groups, where participants explored areas of tension and conflict in value discourses, such as those concerning facts and fakes, information and manipulation, public and private spheres, and thus digital self-determination and external control. In their role as future educators, grappling with children's and young people's appropriation of the world, identity formation, and opinion development in networked worlds, as well as developing their own positions, strategies for action, and, in particular, communication strategies for conscious engagement in a society increasingly shaped by digitalization, will continue to be a central element of their private and professional lives. And for the wannseeFORUM, the exploration of different approaches to the topic of digitalization and democracy continues with seminars such as "Trial & Error – Living, Learning, and Working in Networked Worlds.".
The seminar took as part of the collaboration in the program “Political Youth Education in the AdB” in the project group “Digital Media and Democracy”. place
The wannseeFORUM Foundation is a recognized sponsor of the Federal Agency for Civic Education.
