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Description
The main objective of the project is to develop a new specialization module "Citizen Journalism" consisting of 90 ECTS that will be used in BA and MA studies of Polish philology. In order to implement the new module, the project also aims to develop a portal with open educational resources, providing tools for education in online or hybrid mode, an interdisciplinary textbook for ctizen journalism, and a series of 15 video lectures that will be accessible on the portal. The project will be carried out by the team consisting of ten members from the applicant''s university and three members from the University of Tromsø. They specialize in the disciplines, which are key for the module and have teaching experience. The team members from Norway will serve as experts. The project implementation methodology assumes a division of responsibilities among partners according to their competencies, development of an activities schedule that will be verified during monthly consultations, project risk analysis and management. In order to implement the task two two-day working meetings will be organized; the results will be disseminated during two conferences: an opening and closing. The result of the project shall be the implementation of the new courses designed on the basis of innovative teaching methods and best practices, and innovative didactic materials in a form of an open educational tool. The results will be disseminated by means of a report and course materials available online at the educational portal. The results of the project will fill the gap in the educational market in southern Poland and increase the quality of education at the applicant''s university. Thanks to the experts from the University of Tromsø, the Polish team members will enrich their knowledge in the field of civic journalism, which will have a positive impact in the long term. The applicant will also strengthen cooperation with the Norwegian partner and a local stakeholder community.
Summary of project results
The project meets the interests of young people by offering a specialization that responds to their aspirations and interests (as verified by surveys). It fills a gap in the educational offerings of the beneficiary university and Polish higher education institutions, allowing for study in the field of journalism focused on social issues and social change. It takes into account the preferences of potential candidates regarding practical studies and the combination of journalistic training with philological studies (Polish language and literature). It brings social benefits by educating a new generation of journalists who are aware of social issues and committed to addressing them, as well as supporting the process of building civil society in Poland.
Implementation activities: Based on conducted research and solutions tested in Norwegian realities, the following were developed: (1) An interdisciplinary specialization module "Citizen Journalism" for bachelor''s and master''s students in Polish philology. (2) Course descriptions for courses within this module. (3) Tools to support the educational process, both in stationary, online, and hybrid modes: a textbook on citizen journalism and a series of 10 online lectures. Their nature allows for continuous modification and supplementation depending on needs and acquired experiences. The way the results of work are made available enables anyone interested to familiarize themselves with them free of charge and use them in practice.
. As a result of the project, the study offer was expanded (1 new specialization), enrollment increased by 35% in 2023/2024, and the scientific and didactic competencies of the staff were broadened. Unintended results include joint initiatives with the social environment (including citizen journalism workshops for young people), establishing scientific cooperation with the media research community, and plans to create communication and journalism laboratories. The significance of the project: One of the project''s intended goals was to create an impulse for the development of education in Poland in the field of reliable, socially conscious journalism, thus strengthening civil society. The result of the activities carried out within the project is the integration and activation of communities interested in citizen journalism - both academic and civic communities (long-term impact). Two conferences held at the University of Bielsko-Biala played a role as forums for the exchange of ideas.
Summary of bilateral results
The benefits resulting from having institutions from Donor States (in this case, the University of Tromsø, the Arctic University of Norway) within the project are as follows: 1) Enrichment of the project team''s competencies through the transfer of knowledge, experiences, and best practices in the field of academic didactics and curriculum design implemented at the higher education level. This transfer was accomplished during a valuable study visit by the project team to Norway; experts provided extensive presentations on the programs they offer and demonstrated the multidimensional activities of Norwegian universities (film studio, library, academic museums) to the team. Subsequently, during the study visit of experts to Poland, the functioning of higher education institutions and the educational process were compared. During online meetings, including consultations, experts made a valuable contribution to the design of intellectual work outcomes. 2) Collaboration with experts enhanced the efficiency of project activities and opened the project team to new ideas and solutions, especially during consultations and discussions on topics related to the functioning of civil society and civic journalism. Moreover, cooperation with the institution from the Donor States increased the project''s prestige, contributing to a very positive reception of the project both in the academic environment and in the social sphere. Bilateral cooperation will be continued as also experts positively evaluated its results and collaboration within the project. During the project''s concluding meeting, specific directions for scientific (linguistics, didactics, analysis of various types of discourse in the context of so-called plain language) and educational cooperation were discussed - ideas for prospective projects. Continuation of cooperation can also serve as a signal for other potential partners to engage in collaboration with both institutions.