The digitization of
society comes with huge opportunities. In order to seize those opportunities,
young people need digital skills. This is why VodafoneZiggo launches the
interactive teaching programme Online Masters during the national Week of Media
Literacy (17 to 24 November). It focuses on four topics: the digital world,
creative and skilled online, safe online and conscious online.
Most young people
find it hard to recognize fake news and to find information online. They also
overrate their digital skills which are hardly being taught in schools since it
is not compulsory as yet. This is shown by research by Kennisnet and Mediawijzer.net.
'Online Masters' has
been especially developed for the senior section of primary education and the
first few years of secondary education and is free the entire year. Topics are
introduced by several well-known 'masters', ranging from professors to
vloggers, including Felienne Hermans of TU Delft, vlogger Thomas Smagge and
internet entrepreneur Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten. In short video clips they
familiarize pupils with their digital world. Parents are also involved by way
of home assignments.
Digital luggage
Recently, the House
of Representatives agreed to an accelerated inclusion of digital literacy in
the curriculum. Until the theme has become an integral part of education,
VodafoneZiggo seeks to familiarize as many young people as possible with
technology and the wide variety of digital opportunities. "The world is
becoming ever more digital and developments are booming," says Marieke
Dekker, board member at VodafoneZiggo. "Many people find it hard to keep
up and that has an impact on our society. Not only on education, but also on
government and the business world. It is therefore crucial to equip children
and youngsters with the right digital luggage."
Colleagues as
teachers
The teaching
programme Online Masters was launched during the national Week of Media
Literacy (17 to 24 November 2017). That week, hundreds of VodafoneZiggo
employees from all over the country adopted a teaching role to give an introduction
lesson. Jeroen Hoencamp, CEO at VodafoneZiggo: "I think it's tremendously
important that the entire company embraces initiatives like this. That is why I
wholeheartedly support colleagues from across the company to volunteer as
teacher. Naturally, I join in as well. VodafoneZiggo stands for enjoyment and
progress. Stimulating youngsters and their talents plays an important part in
that."
VodafoneZiggo developed
the teaching programme in cooperation with ECP/VeiligInternetten.nl and
Mediawijzer.net. Approximately 20,000 children were introduced to the teaching
programme in the kick off week. As of today, it is available to everyone for
free at www.online-masters.nl.”