This document outlines a plan to train librarians in digital and media literacy skills. It notes that children spend over 7 hours per day consuming digital media and cites research showing they feel misunderstood in their media use. The training objective is to have all librarians serving youth trained by January 2013 through MediaSmarts workshops to integrate these skills into programming. It discusses stakeholders interested in this issue, obstacles like aligning with partners and measuring success, and emphasizes values like supporting literacy and equipping youth with skills for the future, to address with decision makers.
The Importance of Media Literacy and Strategies for Teaching It at the Colleg...Renee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs explains the value of university-school partnerships that connect college and university students to local schools. University-school partnerships are helping us explore video documentation as a research and teaching tool. We are discovering that connecting university students to local community schools builds dispositions towards collaboration, civic engagement and advocacy. Finally, we are observing how educator motivations for teaching media and technology shape their instructional practices.
The Importance of Media Literacy and Strategies for Teaching It at the Colleg...Renee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs explains the value of university-school partnerships that connect college and university students to local schools. University-school partnerships are helping us explore video documentation as a research and teaching tool. We are discovering that connecting university students to local community schools builds dispositions towards collaboration, civic engagement and advocacy. Finally, we are observing how educator motivations for teaching media and technology shape their instructional practices.
Propaganda vs. Democracy in a Digital AgeRenee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs shows how digital learning that addresses the needs of educators can have transformative impact in addressing the needs of learners growing up in a world full of propaganda and disinformation.
Create to Learn: Advancing Collaboration and CreativityRenee Hobbs
Academic librarians, technologists, and higher education faculty have been actively experimenting with new forms of digital learning during the global pandemic. In the process, they have discovered some valuable strategies and practices that will continue to fuel innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship for years to come. In this session, we’ll discuss why it’s more important than ever before to have complicated conversations about all the literacies - information, media, news, digital, critical, and those that are yet to be named. How do these competencies get integrated into all programs and courses across the liberal arts and sciences? In this session, we’ll take time to experiment, working in small groups, using create-to-learn pedagogies that can provoke intellectual curiosity by combining play and learning. Then, we’ll reflect on how creative collaboration can offer a liberating way to open up spaces of possibility and adaptation for the stakeholders in our own institutions and communities.
Renee Hobbs is an expert in digital and media literacy education and she is the author of Mind Over Media: Propaganda Education for a Digital Age, which was awarded the 2021 PROSE Award for Excellence in Social Sciences from the Association of American Publishers. As professor of communication studies and director of the Media Education Lab, she co-directs the Graduate Certificate in Digital Literacy at the University of Rhode Island. She has published 12 books and over 150 scholarly and professional articles and developed multimedia learning resources for elementary, secondary and college teachers.
Media Literacy & Adolescent DevelopmentRenee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs shares results of 3 research studies exploring how school-based media literacy programs advance critical analysis skills, promote intellectual curiosity and contribute to civic engagement.
Improving Reading Comprehension by Using Media Literacy Activities
By Renee Hobbs
Some literacy educators still hold to the idea that audiovisual media and digital technologies are the enemies of print culture, but a growing number of educators are exploring the synergistic relationship between different forms of reading that occur when the concept of text is expanded to include images, graphic design, multimodality, moving image media, and online content. At home, parents cultivate children's understanding of story structure by engaging in activities that involve children's re-telling of books, cartoons, games, and short films. They pause children's videos to ask questions, comment on action and predict what will happen next. Such practices cultivate viewing as a cognitively active process, a concept that was first articulated in the 1970s but continues to be more deeply appreciated with the rise of YouTube culture, where the distinction between authors and audiences is diminished. During the elementary grades, teachers use media literacy competencies when reading children's picturebooks, calling attention to when the words of a story and the image of the story conflict or deliver different messages. Active "reading" of picture books is a practice that foregrounds the meaning-making process and elevates reading comprehension beyond mere decoding. When educators reframe their work with youth as less about passing high-stakes tests and more about learning to navigate the multiple literacy contexts in which they live, learn, and work, students' motivation for reading increases. For this reason, literacy specialists are exploring links between disciplinary literacy, inquiry, and media literacy. Media literacy instructional practices honor students' popular culture and lived experience, and offer opportunities for students to bring their affect, emotion, imagination, and social interaction into reading practices that examine and challenge cultural conventions like materialism and consumerism that are reproduced in media culture on a daily basis.
In this fast-paced, technology-driven time, we are bombarded with various information here and there, in the convenience of a click, right in the comforts of our very own homes.
This workshop is part of the Media Education: Make It Happen! program, a series of free resources to help educators understand and facilitate media literacy in their classrooms. The program consists of a booklet, PowerPoint workshop, and a facilitator's guide with handouts.
Media, Technology And 21st Century LearnersRenee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs' presentation at the 3rd Annual Media Literacy Conference, sponsored by Drug Free Pennsylvania. Dr. Hobbs is a Professor at Temple University School of Communications and Theater.
Renee Hobbs explores the evolution of media literacy education and examines changes in how the media industry has shifted its focus in teaching about media.
Propaganda vs. Democracy in a Digital AgeRenee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs shows how digital learning that addresses the needs of educators can have transformative impact in addressing the needs of learners growing up in a world full of propaganda and disinformation.
Create to Learn: Advancing Collaboration and CreativityRenee Hobbs
Academic librarians, technologists, and higher education faculty have been actively experimenting with new forms of digital learning during the global pandemic. In the process, they have discovered some valuable strategies and practices that will continue to fuel innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship for years to come. In this session, we’ll discuss why it’s more important than ever before to have complicated conversations about all the literacies - information, media, news, digital, critical, and those that are yet to be named. How do these competencies get integrated into all programs and courses across the liberal arts and sciences? In this session, we’ll take time to experiment, working in small groups, using create-to-learn pedagogies that can provoke intellectual curiosity by combining play and learning. Then, we’ll reflect on how creative collaboration can offer a liberating way to open up spaces of possibility and adaptation for the stakeholders in our own institutions and communities.
Renee Hobbs is an expert in digital and media literacy education and she is the author of Mind Over Media: Propaganda Education for a Digital Age, which was awarded the 2021 PROSE Award for Excellence in Social Sciences from the Association of American Publishers. As professor of communication studies and director of the Media Education Lab, she co-directs the Graduate Certificate in Digital Literacy at the University of Rhode Island. She has published 12 books and over 150 scholarly and professional articles and developed multimedia learning resources for elementary, secondary and college teachers.
Media Literacy & Adolescent DevelopmentRenee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs shares results of 3 research studies exploring how school-based media literacy programs advance critical analysis skills, promote intellectual curiosity and contribute to civic engagement.
Improving Reading Comprehension by Using Media Literacy Activities
By Renee Hobbs
Some literacy educators still hold to the idea that audiovisual media and digital technologies are the enemies of print culture, but a growing number of educators are exploring the synergistic relationship between different forms of reading that occur when the concept of text is expanded to include images, graphic design, multimodality, moving image media, and online content. At home, parents cultivate children's understanding of story structure by engaging in activities that involve children's re-telling of books, cartoons, games, and short films. They pause children's videos to ask questions, comment on action and predict what will happen next. Such practices cultivate viewing as a cognitively active process, a concept that was first articulated in the 1970s but continues to be more deeply appreciated with the rise of YouTube culture, where the distinction between authors and audiences is diminished. During the elementary grades, teachers use media literacy competencies when reading children's picturebooks, calling attention to when the words of a story and the image of the story conflict or deliver different messages. Active "reading" of picture books is a practice that foregrounds the meaning-making process and elevates reading comprehension beyond mere decoding. When educators reframe their work with youth as less about passing high-stakes tests and more about learning to navigate the multiple literacy contexts in which they live, learn, and work, students' motivation for reading increases. For this reason, literacy specialists are exploring links between disciplinary literacy, inquiry, and media literacy. Media literacy instructional practices honor students' popular culture and lived experience, and offer opportunities for students to bring their affect, emotion, imagination, and social interaction into reading practices that examine and challenge cultural conventions like materialism and consumerism that are reproduced in media culture on a daily basis.
In this fast-paced, technology-driven time, we are bombarded with various information here and there, in the convenience of a click, right in the comforts of our very own homes.
This workshop is part of the Media Education: Make It Happen! program, a series of free resources to help educators understand and facilitate media literacy in their classrooms. The program consists of a booklet, PowerPoint workshop, and a facilitator's guide with handouts.
Media, Technology And 21st Century LearnersRenee Hobbs
Renee Hobbs' presentation at the 3rd Annual Media Literacy Conference, sponsored by Drug Free Pennsylvania. Dr. Hobbs is a Professor at Temple University School of Communications and Theater.
Renee Hobbs explores the evolution of media literacy education and examines changes in how the media industry has shifted its focus in teaching about media.
Presentation includes information on the Scottish Information Literacy Project based at Glasgow Caledonian University. Part of the Digital literacy in an e-world 2008: the 8th Annual E-Books Conference which took place on Thu 30 Oct 2008 organised by the Scottish Library & Information Council [SLIC]
Feed a Child realises that Education is one of the key elements of socio-economic environment throughout the world. We are proud to present a partner solution that we can ship anywhere in the world and commission it within any project.
The entire unit draws only 750w of power and can be fully solar equipped.
Using international educational content and providing a completed in classroom experience which caters for Learner Management, Content Manage, Curriculum, Test Items and Assessments, Complete knowledge base, Audio, Images and Video copyright free content, copyright free library with checkout functionality, more than 2 million learning resources and even knowledge to teach kids to do presentations.
This is taking education into the phase of preparing children for the year 2030.
For more information or to order at arnau@feedachild.co.za. Current capacity is 5 units per month - but can be increased as the need arises.
This Children are future of a society within a country. They should be provided with all round educational development since educating children has many advantages. If they are educated, they can face any problem and this makes them strong and happy. In other words the growth of a country is dependent on its learned population. Children with special education needs have problems to develop cognitive abilities like thinking, learning and obtain new knowledge and concept. It may also be required to improve their conduct, communication skills and interactions with their environment. It is required to develop customizable and compliant applications designed to support them in adapting with respect to the current situations they face and thus take actions appropriately. Such applications would provide them the assistance to allow them frame their learning essentials and help to process to the diverse sensory and cognitive impairments including the mobility issues. This research will be based on artificial intelligence concept and will be self-adaptable. Besides, in many cases they have the opportunity to perform activities that previously were not accessible to them, because of the interface and contents of the activities have been adapted specifically to them. The study also suggests that the repertoire of types of activities provided is suitable for learning purposes with students with impairments. Finally, the use of electronic devices and multimedia contents increases their interest in learning and attention.
AN INTELLIGENT SELF-ADAPTABLE APPLICATION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN EDUCATION AND L...ijcsit
ABSTRACT
This Children are future of a society within a country. They should be provided with all round educational development since educating children has many advantages. If they are educated, they can face any problem and this makes them strong and happy. In other words the growth of a country is dependent on its learned population. Children with special education needs have problems to develop cognitive abilities like thinking, learning and obtain new knowledge and concept. It may also be required to improve their conduct, communication skills and interactions with their environment. It is required to develop customizable and compliant applications designed to support them in adapting with respect to the current situations they face and thus take actions appropriately. Such applications would provide them the assistance to allow them frame their learning essentials and help to process to the diverse sensory and cognitive impairments including the mobility issues. This research will be based on artificial intelligence concept and will be self-adaptable. Besides, in many cases they have the opportunity to perform activities that previously were not accessible to them, because of the interface and contents of the activities have been adapted specifically to them. The study also suggests that the repertoire of types of activities provided is suitable for learning purposes with students with impairments. Finally, the use of electronic devices and multimedia contents increases their interest in learning and attention.
Andreas Schleicher presents at the launch of What does child empowerment mean...EduSkills OECD
Andreas Schleicher presents at the launch of ‘What does child empowerment mean today? Implications for education and well-being’ on the 15 May 2024. The report was launched by Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General and can be found here: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/what-does-child-empowerment-mean-today_8f80ce38-en
Digital and media literacy is a set of technical skills or competencies that can be learned and evaluated. These skills help people navigate their digital environments successfully and become creators as well as consumers of information. This presentation is for people working in any role in the civil service.
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Executive Directors Chat Leveraging AI for Diversity, Equity, and InclusionTechSoup
Let’s explore the intersection of technology and equity in the final session of our DEI series. Discover how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be used to support and enhance your nonprofit's DEI initiatives. Participants will gain insights into practical AI applications and get tips for leveraging technology to advance their DEI goals.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
2. SMART OBJECTIVE
After a period of advocacy on the issues around media
and digital literacy, by January 2013 (T), all librarians who
serve children and youth (S) within our organization will be
trained or retrained (A) through MediaSmarts’ professional
development workshops (R) in the skills needed (M) to
foster media and digital literacy in youth by integrating
learned skills into existing programming or new programs,
and when working one-on-one with children or youth in a
digital environment.
3. ISSUE IDENTIFICATION
7 hrs 38 minutes is the average amount of digital media
consumed per day by children 8-18 (Kaiser Foundation, 2010)
Canadian parents say their
children are online
everywhere --schools,
libraries, mobile phones,
cafes, video game
consoles – making it hard
to regulate their online
activities anymore…
--Young Canadians in a
Wired World, 2012
Canadian tweens and teens
find school programs and their
parents challenging to deal
with on the issues of media
use, consumption and
interaction with others and feel
misunderstood and over-
regulated…
--Young Canadians in a Wired
World, 2012
Eight-years-old is when digital media interaction changes, children
engage with it more and on their own terms (Joan Cooney Ganz Foundation, 2011)
4. WHY IS MEDIA LITERACY IMPORTANT?
Media literacy embodies the critical skills of many
aspects of literacy in an online world from critical
thinking about images and texts to ethical and social
practices – some examples include:
Body Image
in Media
Violence in
Media
Diversity in
Media
Cyberbullying
Exploitation Privacy
5. WHO IS INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE?
STAKEHOLDERS AND INFLUENCE
LIBRARY BOARD
CHIEF LIBRARIAN
PARENTS
EDUCATORS
PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS
AND CRITICS
CHILDREN
6. THE LIBRARY’S ROLE IN MEDIA LITERACY
Research shows that libraries already are
recognized as partners in developing literacy skills
for conventional literacy and information literacy
through programs and training
Libraries offer the media children consume – books,
graphic novels, video games, Internet access,
DVDs…
Current research and current events support a call
for community actions and partnerships to address
better preparing children and youth for life and
interaction in the digital world
8. WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES?
Aligning our goals, missions, and
values of the library to those with
MediaSmarts, and any corporate
sponsorship linked with them.
Parents and community groups who
oppose corporate sponsorship on
youth programs.
Being careful not to conflate
technological access with
understanding of its use & application
in developing media/digital literacy.
Organizational Bias: Viewing the
library as merely a repository for
books, stereotypes of the library as
being “outdated” and technologically
behind.
Space: Where will these workshops
& training seminars for librarians
take place?
Timing: How long will training
workshops take? Will there need to
be additional training for librarians
who are not “up to speed” on
current technologies?
What will be the results of this
partnership, how will we measure
its success?
9. APPROACHES – VALUES TO EMPHASIZE WITH
DECISION MAKERS
Library Chief Executive Officer and Board of
Directors
Supporting media literacy strengthens library
mission to enhance literacy and well-being of the
community
Library as a leader in educating youth on critical
digital literacy skills and as a gatekeeper to
accessing education on digital media literacy
Staff benefits from professional development and
training making them more qualified
Implement new value-added services that help
bridge gap between information rich and poor
10. APPROACHES – VALUES TO EMPHASIZE WITH
DECISION MAKERS
Investment and Economic Prosperity
Committee/Finance Committee (Municipal)
Relationship between digital media and economic
development
Public library can educate through programming
that emphasizes digital skills for the workplace
Equip youth (future leaders and workers) of Canada
with necessary skills in creation and interpretation
of media
11. APPROACHES – VALUES TO EMPHASIZE WITH
DECISION MAKERS
Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee
(Municipal)
Canada has fallen behind other countries in the
development of digital literacy
Council representing the community can dedicate
resources and funding to guarantee that citizens
will benefit from the digital economy and derive new
opportunities for employment, innovation, creative
expression
12. APPROACHES – VALUES TO EMPHASIZE WITH
DECISION MAKERS
Child Care Advisory Committee (Municipal)
Parents believe the internet is the way of the future
and children need to be educated on safe and
responsible use
Emphasis on collaborative approach with schools,
public libraries, internet service providers, police
and government
Print literacy is no longer sufficient in ensuring
children and youth are growing up with the skills to
critically engage with information
13. CONCLUSION
A vision for youth in
the 21st century.
Advocating for
Partnership: A
benefit to the
community & its
members.
The role of the
library and
information
professional.
14. CITATIONS
Environics Research Group. (2003). Canada’s Children in a Wired World: The Parents’ View.
Ottawa.
Media Awareness Network. (2010). Digital Literacy in Canada: From Inclusion to
Transformation. Ottawa.
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority. (2011). The Internet and Canada’s Future:
Opportunities and Challenges. Ottawa.
Editor's Notes
Narrated by: JulieOur goal is to provide our communities with trained professionals who can support and impart to children and youth the skills they need to be successful in a highly digital world.
Narrated by: JulieChildren and youth use digital media over 7 hours per day and this number does not include multitasking – which results in over 10 hours per day (Kaiser Foundation, 2010). It is a fact of life. According to Young Canadians in a Wired World (2012), Canadian parents feel compelled to track, monitor and harass their children about online activities, or video gaming.Yet, students surveyed largely agreed that school led media and digital literacy efforts had “pathologized” the problem to the point of saturation and kids are saying “enough already” and finding it boring. (p. 23, YWCC, 2012)
Narrated by: JulieWhat can help bridge the divide between youth and adults when it comes to digital media and provide proactive engagement on the issue? Media Literacy Strategies that teach critical skills to children and youth so that they participate critically, ethically and socially online. Because media literacy training can be integrated into existing programs, and into everyday interactions with parents and other adults in their lives, it is less about micromanaging and more about fostering independence and confidence building critical thinkers capable of navigating the myriad of media images and interactions out there. Furthermore, children are an active user group of the library so this programming would meet them where they come.
Narrated by: Julie-- the library board and chief librarian are stakeholders in all activities undertaken by the library. – surveys of parents show that they are concerned about what their children do online (YCWW, 2012)-- Educators are becoming increasingly concerned about bullying, as evidenced through school-wide campaigns to end bullying (E.g, Ontario), including cyberbullying (e.g. ERASE Bullying in BC) and online safety. --For policy makers and critics, the recent suicide of Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd has brought to the forefront a national debate about what children and youth are doing online and what should or can be done. Furthermore, media education continues to be a component of curriculum in most provinces. Influence:All of these groups have the potential to influence decision-makers. Parents may work to advocate with teachers for more access to services that support media literacy. Critics may be reporters who write editorials about the issue, keeping it at the forefront of policy makers minds. Activities at higher levels of government may indirectly influence decision-makers at the municipal level who want to ensure their local communities are concerned about the issues and doing something about it in alignment with the goals of other levels of government (news clippings may be helpful here). Evidence exists to show that children can be taught skills to help them navigate critically online, but that it requires consistent efforts of those people involved in their lives – parents, educators and community agencies working with children can collaboratively build within children the skills needed.
Narrated by: JulieEvidence exists to show that children can be taught skills to help them navigate critically online, but that it requires consistent efforts of those people involved in their lives – parents, educators and community agencies working with children can collaboratively build within children the skills needed.Libraries have long supported reading literacy through the provision of print materials, but according to the OCLC 2010 How Canadian Libraries Stack Up Report, libraries are also key providers of free Internet access, free wi-fi and a key place where people receive free technology training. Libraries are also offering video games and DVDs. In speaking to decision-makers, it will be important to find out how aware they are of library related media literacy services and finally, it will be important to align the values of providing such library services with the values decision-makers hold for the overall well-being of the community at large.
CEO and Library Board: When approaching the Chief Executive Officer and the Library Board, discussing the importance of media literacy should be done so in light of the library’s mission to strengthen individuals, families and neighbourhoods. A partnership will position the library as a leader that is taking a pro-active stance in the well-being of a generation who will grow up using technology in various aspects of life.A partnership will provide library staff with media literacy training and professional development making them gatekeepers for youth’s access to proper education in critical digital engagement. Since many school libraries are vanishing, the public library can step in and bridge the gap between the information rich and information poor. By creating value-added services, the library's image will be enhanced and it will have an increased visibility in the research and development sector by contributing to the creation of informed public policy on issues related to the media.
Investment and Economic Prosperity Committee/Finance Committee (Municipality):It is important that we (the library) express to them the importance and value of digital media literacy in relation to economic growth on a local and national level. The Canadian Internet Registration Authority survey on stakeholders Interest in the Internet states that the internet enables innovation, generates job opportunities and enhances productivity and competition. Marta Morgan, Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategic Planning in industry Canada (2011) suggests that digital workforce skills are a key component to digital literacy. The public library can facilitate the process of digital literacy education with areas focused on digital skills for the workplace and therefore equip future leaders and workers in Canada with necessary skills in digital interpretation and creation (The Internet and Canada’s Future: Opportunities and Challenges, 2011, CIRA)
Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (London Municipality): The public library in partnership with MediaSmarts is a valid strategic move for city council to support as it has been noted that Canada has fallen behind a number of other countries in the development of a digital economy. By doing so, the committee will be a significant force and voice for improving the quality of local residents’ lives, giving them better opportunities to participate in the digital environment. City council should be striving to guarantee that citizens will benefit from the digital economy and derive new opportunities for employment, innovation, creative expression and social inclusion. This partnership will position the committee as a government arm that cares about the future of youth’s practices online and future in digital media, as an active Canadian citizen (Digital Literacy in Canada: From Inclusion to Transformation, 2010, Media Awareness Network)
Child Care Advisory Committee (London Municipality):It has been revealed in the report “Canada’s Children in a Wired World: The Parents’ View” published by Industry Canada that the majority of parents think that the internet is the way of the future and that children need to be educated about safe and responsible internet use. Parents believe that a collaborative approach towards managing the internet is the route to take and public libraries, schools, internet service providers, government and community institutions should be involved.Print literacy is no longer enough to ensure that Canada’s children and youth are growing up with the ability to critically engage with information and this partnership will help parents feel secure that their children are being educated in digital media literacy.