Teachers’ Voice: Media Literacy for Teachers -Irena’s Impact

At European Schoolnet Academy, we believe every learning journey can spark change through innovative teaching practices. Over the years, thousands of teachers across Europe have taken our MOOCs, bringing fresh ideas and new strategies into their classrooms. Behind each course is not only knowledge, but also a story of challenges, discoveries, and students inspired. In this series, we share the voices of educators who turned their learning into action.

Today, we travel to Albania, where Irena B., Academic Coordinator for Quality Assurance at Secondary School Betim Muço, has transformed her teaching – and her school community – through her commitment to media literacy and digital education.

Facing a digital challenge

Before joining the Empowering Educators for the Next Digital Decade MOOC, Irena was already supporting students and colleagues on topics such as online safety and responsible behaviour. She knew that media literacy for teachers was becoming increasingly important as the digital landscape continued to shift.

She hoped to improve her own digital literacy, understand misinformation more clearly, and weave media literacy more naturally into everyday teaching. Most of all, she wanted her students to feel better prepared for the online world they move through every day.

A learning experience that clicked

From the start, the MOOC exceeded her expectations. Irena describes it as “inspiring and enriching,” not just because of the clear structure and interactive activities, but also because of the diverse perspectives shared by educators across Europe. What stayed with her was how practical everything felt and how small adjustments in approach could make a noticeable difference in students’ digital awareness and critical thinking.

From learning to action

As soon as the MOOC ended, Irena put her new knowledge to work.

She launched an educational project focused on media literacy and digital citizenship. Students worked with peers from other countries, examined online content together, and created digital materials that promoted safe and responsible internet use.

Back at school, she organised workshops for both teachers and students on spotting misinformation, checking online sources, and keeping personal data safe.

Not every step was easy. Digital skills varied across the group, and getting everyone equally involved took patience. But the practical activities and collaborative approach helped bridge those gaps and kept the momentum going.

A new way of seeing her role

The experience, strengthened further by her participation in the Media Literacy Champion Training of Trainers Course in Brussels, reshaped how Irena sees her work as an educator. She explains it simply:

“I am a guide who empowers students to navigate the digital world critically and responsibly… an advocate for media literacy in my classroom, my school, and beyond.”

What began as personal professional development has grown into a wider shift within her school, influencing how students and colleagues think about media literacy, online safety, digital habits, and responsible engagement. Irena encourages every educator to try a MOOC:

“It’s an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with a global community, and gain practical skills you can apply immediately.”

For her, online learning was not just convenient, it opened up new ideas, new collaborations, and a renewed sense of purpose.

At European Schoolnet Academy, we are proud to see how our MOOCs become part of these journeys. Learning should never be a solo journey. We go further, and achieve more, when we do it together.

Be curious. Be bold. Be the change in your classroom. Join thousands of teachers across Europe who are bringing innovation and collaboration to life. Take a MOOC, share your ideas, and see the difference it makes.

Stay tuned as we continue to share more voices from teachers across Europe.