MODERN APPROACHES TO ENHANCING MEDIA LITERACY AND DESIGN SKILLS IN PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CONTEXTS

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation of industrial and technical sectors requires professional education institutions to align curriculum design with contemporary digital imperatives. Traditional vocational frameworks often treat media consumption and visual communication as isolated peripheral skills rather than core engineering competencies. This study presents a comprehensive pedagogical framework designed to integrate media literacy, visual design skills, and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into technical and vocational education and training (TVET). By combining Project-Based Learning (PBL) with digital diagnostic tools and cloud-based collaborative design environments (e.g., Canva, Figma, Adobe Express, Google Workspace), the proposed model fosters critical information evaluation, visual storytelling, and technical documentation proficiency. The article outlines a multi-layered curriculum architecture, systematic assessment matrices, and iterative project workflows structured around real-world technical problems. Empirical implementation models demonstrate that embedding AI-assisted content verification alongside visual design workflows significantly improves vocational students' analytical skills, technical layout quality, algorithmic awareness, and professional digital collaboration, ultimately bridging the gap between academic preparation and modern industry standards.