Habit and Doubt in the Classroom: Everyday Media Literacy in a Norwegian Upper Secondary School

Abstract

Even though several students are experienced producers of audiovisual texts in their everyday lives, there is no quick fix to transfer these media production skills to the formal school setting. This article is based on a classroom study from a science class in a Norwegian upper secondary school. Instead of what they have become accustomed to in the subject – making written or oral reports – they were asked to create video reports using smartphone applications they have learned to use in everyday life. The article argues that the students meet such a task with doubt and they do not necessarily draw upon their vernacular skills in the formal school setting were the tradition of the linguistic text is well rooted. The habit of producing verbal texts in school is challenging to break and video production is experienced as difficult and time consuming. However, this article argues that there is much to be gained if teaching supports students to ‘break habits’. While this opens for students’ doubts and hesitations, breaking habits also can inspire inquiry, creativity and new learning.