NCCA uses cookies so that you have the best possible browsing experience on our website. If you agree that we can store and use cookies click 'Accept & Close'.Manage Cookies

Overview: Course

The specification for this junior cycle short course in digital media literacy develops in students a greater sense of what it takes to thrive in a digital environment through four inter-connected strands: My digital world; Following my interests online; Checking the facts and Publishing myself.  

Strand 1: My digital world  

In this strand, students explore how and why to use digital technologies; investigate the ethical and legal issues around downloading media from the internet and develop an understanding of online safety for themselves and others. 

Strand 2: Following my interests online  

In this strand, students will explore how digital texts are published and their various purposes; they will compare how similar information is presented in different formats and explore how to represent information using digital imagery. 

Strand 3: Checking the facts  

In this strand, students will investigate how the choice of digital media influences and impacts on consumer patterns and explore the notion of bias and influence online. 

Strand 4: Publishing myself  

In this strand, students investigate online rights and risks, demonstrate good standards and protocols for online sharing of information and learn to cite and reference accurately when using online sources.  

 

It is not intended that this short course is undertaken in any particular order: teachers and students are free to explore the learning outcomes and the strands in an integrated approach, and in any order that is a best fit for the teaching and learning activities.
 
The Classroom-Based Assessment reflects the learning that students undertake in this NCCA short course. Schools have the flexibility to adapt any NCCA short course to suit their particular needs and school context. If adapting the course, schools may also need to adapt the Classroom-Based Assessment, so that it reflects the learning their students undertook. Schools may also develop their own short course(s) and related Classroom-Based Assessment. Guidelines for schools who wish to develop their own short course(s) are available.  
 
The learning outcomes in this short course are aligned with the level indicators for Level 3 of the National Framework of Qualifications. 
 
The course has been designed for approximately 100 hours of student engagement.