Mediacontent in History Lessons in Ukrainian Secondary Schools: Perspectives and Risks of Use

Abstract

The article contains the analysis of educational and upbringing opportunities of modern Media Content on the History lessons. It is noted that in modern information society the school is no longer the only source of information for pupils. Therefore, on the basis of this understanding, development of pupils’ media literacy is the main task for the teachers. According to the new version of «A History Education Curriculum» for grades 5-11 of general education schools, the main purpose of History teaching is growth of a pupil as a person, who can oriented in the surrounding information environment freely. Media education serves that purpose. The issue of media education and information – communicative technologies is considered in the works of modern Ukrainian scientists. The pages of periodicals cover the potential of using multimedia, multimedia presentations, virtual learning, network technologies, the Internet resources, educational opportunities of video hosting on the History lessons in general education schools. The number of publications with specific recommendations for the use of modern media content on the History lessons is not enough. This determines the relevance of the study. The author presents the number of definitions of the basic concepts on the indicated problems, such as «information society», «mass communication», «information-digital competence», «media content», «media literacy», «media education». The main functions of media education are dwelt upon. These are: to prepare a new generation for living in modern information environment; to perceive various information; to teach a person to resist the psychological pressure; to communicate on the basis of verbal and non-verbal forms of communication through technical means. The author presents the parts of the lessons of the subject «The History of Ukraine» and «The World History» with the use of modern media content. It is advisable to use media content at the stage of perception and comprehension of educational material with obligatory reflection. The author is considers the expediency of using information and communication technologies in the curriculum of general education schools of Ukraine, the consistency of such use with state sanitary norms and rules for general educational institutions. Problems and risks associated with the uncontrolled flow of versatile information and the impact of information and communication technologies on the physical and mental health of children are singled out. In particular, there is a general decline in the level of culture and moral qualities, the memory and attention of students are worsened. The author raises the issue of the necessity of development of an information culture. Modern children should be able to resist media manipulations. The formation of media literacy and the development of critical thinking is the primary task of the modern school.