Education in media literacy in Ecuador has gained special relevance in the last decade. Both academics and researchers have pointed out that the country also needs to reduce the digital divide; and train students, teachers and all members of society in the use and consumption of traditional and digital media. Previous studies show that the level of media competency differs by type of education system, whether it is private, co-financed or public. This research determines if the type of education system (regular urban education, regular rural education, and flexible and distance education) is an influential factor in the generation of competencies. Through a ques­tionnaire and the corresponding statistical analysis, it was concluded that students who attended the regular education system within the city demonstrated a higher level of media competency compared to the other participants of...

This research explores, through a pre-experimental design, how artistic resources can contribute to health prevention. For this purpose, participants (N = 118) completed a pre-test questionnaire and, after interacting with four testimonial narratives in the COVID-19 Diaries website, specially developed for this research, responded to the post-test. The study investigated the role of art in prevention intention, risk perception, and behavior, as well as the association with narrative transportation and identification with characters, the two main mechanisms explaining narrative persuasion. The results demonstrated the importance of including artistic resources in health narratives and the mediating role of narrative transportation and identification with characters in risk perception during health crises. These findings are of theoretical and methodological importance for understanding th...

Education in media literacy in Ecuador has gained special relevance in the last decade. Both academics and researchers have pointed out that the country also needs to reduce the digital divide; and train students, teachers and all members of society in the use and consumption of traditional and digital media. Previous studies show that the level of media competency differs by type of education system, whether it is private, co-financed or public. This research determines if the type of education system (regular urban education, regular rural education, and flexible and distance education) is an influential factor in the generation of competencies. Through a ques­tionnaire and the corresponding statistical analysis, it was concluded that students who attended the regular education system within the city demonstrated a higher level of media competency compared to the other participants of...

This research explores, through a pre-experimental design, how artistic resources can contribute to health prevention. For this purpose, participants (N = 118) completed a pre-test questionnaire and, after interacting with four testimonial narratives in the COVID-19 Diaries website, specially developed for this research, responded to the post-test. The study investigated the role of art in prevention intention, risk perception, and behavior, as well as the association with narrative transportation and identification with characters, the two main mechanisms explaining narrative persuasion. The results demonstrated the importance of including artistic resources in health narratives and the mediating role of narrative transportation and identification with characters in risk perception during health crises. These findings are of theoretical and methodological importance for understanding th...