iACADEMY webinars discuss media literacy, digital etiquette

by TDT | July 14, 2020

As schools transition to a flexible remote learning arrangement where lessons will be delivered digitally or via online platforms, Makati-based school iACADEMY has paved the way for a series of discussions that will promote a safer digital space for students and the whole school community.

iACADEMY is set to hold iACADEMY Webinar Series: Digital Peers, a three-part online seminar that will discuss media literacy, digital etiquette, cyber bullying, cyber libel and how to grow a community of responsible digital citizens. The first session of the webinar is scheduled on 17 July 2020 while the second and third sessions will be on 28 July and 10 August, respectively.

“iACADEMY has always been at the forefront of Safe School campaigns. In 2014 we launched a metrowide anti-bullying campaign called, Bullyproof. We gathered school administrators and guidance counselors to share best practices and provided tools to better prevent and respond to cases of bullying. It became an annual and continued effort to spread awareness. iACADEMY sent resource speakers to different schools to provide seminars to students and school employees.” shared Vanessa Tanco, iACADEMY President and CEO.

“In this day and age, we source out most of information via digital platforms and because of the current health crisis, schools like iACADEMY are challenged to deliver lessons through a flexible remote learning arrangement. Through these series of webinars, we aim to extend our help to our students by ensuring that they are protected, discerning, and knowledgeable in using these online platforms,” Tanco added.

On the first part of the webinar, iACADEMY invited TV5 Senior Correspondent Maeanne Los Baños, and UP Journalism professor and Media Asia editor Danilo Arao to discuss the fight against fake news and the importance of media literacy. The speakers will also share the proper fact-checking and digital etiquette that shall guide the students from fake news and misinformation amidst a global health crisis.

“Now, more than ever, we are in fervent need of news as a source of truth and information to empower the public in making decisions. In an unprecedented moment like this, we are racing against time and so every decision we make must be well-thought of and should be based on accurate, objective, and factual information. There is no room for misinformation during these days. Fake news has no business in the mainstream media, not even in our social media and never in this lifetime,” said Los Baños.