Beyond the Checklist: New tools to teach Media Information Literacy in the AI era
Teacher librarians will be aware that as the digital landscape has shifted, traditional media literacy tools are no longer sufficient. Methods like the ‘C.R.A.A.P.’ test, while well intentioned, often prove ineffective in an era of information super-abundance, leading to cognitive overload and fragmented attention in our students.
To address this, researchers from the University of Canberra have partnered with SLANSW to develop a cognitively viable framework for Stage 3 (Years 5–6) and Stage 5 (Years 9–10) students. This program moves beyond checklists, focusing on the three core principles of information resilience: speed, non-partisanship, and transparency.
We invite SLANSW members to join Dr Mathieu O'Neil and Dr Andrew Ross on 28 April to learn more about this innovative, evidence-based approach. Teacher Librarians who volunteer to implement the program in their schools in Term 3, 2026, will receive exclusive, free access to a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including:
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Instructional Videos: Age-appropriate content designed for Stage 3 and 5.
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Curriculum-Aligned Lesson Plans: Structured modules on lateral reading and identifying emotional manipulation.
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Ready-to-Use Classroom Materials: Professional PowerPoints and student activity sheets.
Your participation offers a unique opportunity to empower students with essential verification skills while contributing to the evidence base required to embed these vital methods into the Australian Curriculum.
About Dr Mathieu O'Neil
Mathieu is a Professor of Communication in the University of Canberra’s News and Media Research Centre and Honorary Associate Professor of Sociology at the Australian National University. A specialist in the digital commons and information diffusion, he co-founded the Virtual Observatory for the Study of Online Networks (VOSON). His research has been supported by the Australian Research Council and the Ford Foundation.
About Dr Andrew Ross
Andrew is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra whose research focuses on critical discourse analysis and media literacy in school contexts. A widely published author, his 2025 works with Routledge and Cambridge University Press examine the language of social media and virtual interaction. He also serves as Associate Editor for the journal Discourse, Context & Media.
Suggested Standards addressed by this Online Meet-up
1.1.3 Select from a flexible and effective repertoire of teaching strategies to suit the physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students.
2.6.2 Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful
3.3.2 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking.
4.5.2 Incorporate strategies to promote the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.
6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.
Certificate of participation available via request to: info@slansw.net.au
About SLANSW Online Meet-Ups
The one-hour meet-ups take place in SLANSW's Zoom Conference Room and include a presentation from a guest speaker, with facilitated discussion between participants. We aim to include Q&A time as a wrap-up of each online meetup.
A maximum of 100 places are available for each meet-up, so get your registrations in ASAP.
Participation in SLANSW online meet-ups is at no cost to members. Non-members may access the meet-ups for $45 per session.
The one-hour meet-up takes place in SLANSW's Zoom conference room.
Those who register for this event will receive an email within 24 hours before the event, with details to access this online session.