Thesis:

Identification and analysis of challenges and solutions of media literacy education in middle school curriculum

This study aimed to identify and analyze the challenges and solutions associated with media literacy education within the first cycle of secondary education curricula. Employing a qualitative, exploratory research design, this study utilized thematic analysis. The population comprised all faculty and experts in educational sciences and curriculum planning, as well as media literacy teachers in the first cycle of secondary education in Khorasan Razavi Province. Nine participants were purposefully selected using a snowball sampling technique. Semistructured interviews were conducted to gather data. Results revealed that challenges could be categorized into five subcategories: cultural, economic, managerial, educational, and research. Key challenges included weaknesses in curricular content, deficiencies in the education system's development and promotion of media literacy, and financial and infrastructural problems. Solutions were categorized into four strategies: educational, organizational, managerial, and research. The most effective solutions included curriculum reform, enhancing teachers' media literacy, improving learners' attitudes toward media, developing learners' critical thinking, and upgrading media infrastructure in education. Analyses of the identified challenges and solutions were categorized into four subcategories: educational analysis, cultural analysis, teacher performance analysis, and managerial analysis. Based on the final analysis of the findings, it can be concluded that media literacy education in the first cycle of secondary education curricula is in an unsatisfactory state and does not have a promising future. Therefore, implementing the research-based solutions in the curriculum will significantly contribute to institutionalizing media literacy.

Keywords: Keywords: Media literacy education, curriculum, challenges, solutions