The Media Awareness Network is a great site. As a rule, I look at all websites with suspicion – they are guilty first and must prove their innocence. This site shows authenticity, purpose, objectivity and accuracy. Its focus is clear and gives the viewer a sense of complete reliability and authenticity – with good reason!
The Media Awareness Network is made up of elected board members from various occupations: corporate and government representatives and private individuals. Its primary goal is to “promote critical thinking in young people about the media”. It just wants people to be media literate. The site has two main sections: for teachers and for parents. Each section is worded specifically and effectively for each audience.
Clearly this site is up-to-date. The home page contains links to thought-provoking links, including one to a blog that discusses the controversy surrounding the recent cover of “The New Yorker”. Following these various links does not lead one down some wayward path – the links are focused to thhe site’s intent. They all provide fuel for dicussion about media and its effects on the adults and children. Archived material is abundantly available – again all material is on track with the site’s thesis.
My sense is that this site would appeal to Liberal-minded people and might alienate many Conservatives – good! Providing a balanced forum for discussion precludes that contributors of this site consume a lot of media. Those involved with the creation of this site clearly enjoy media – it’s obviously fun to them. Despite this, the site is not biased. Those who find this site a little “left” for their tastes are likely not willing to discuss the effects of media – the enormous good it can have on our kids and the tremendous danger that lies under media’s pleasing veneer. This site cleverly balances the good and evil effects of media.
As far as being a teacher’s tool, this site really hits the mark. The front page of the teachers’ section contains a resource search engine that allows anyone to find material for any grade and virtually any media sub-topic. I chose “Senior Level” and “body image” and the site found a pretty good lesson involving Kellogs’ marketing campaign about being attractive on one’s own term.
One can also quickly find learning outcomes related to Media education with this engine for any province. Clearly the site’s authors want teachers to use this site – it is extremely user-friendly. When a specific course is selected (ENG 4C, for example) a list of appropriate lessons is also generated. In this case over sixty appropriate lessons are available. This essentially is a bank – teachers add to this lesson bank so all may benefit.
This site shows that the authors are committed in ensuring that Canadians remain Media Literate. Teachers are a key ingredient to Media Literacy as we provide a sense of balance to this very dynamic and important concept. A tool like the Media Awareness Network website allows us to more easily prepare young people to make sense of the inundation of messages that today’s media will heap on them as adults.
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I agree Mike, this would be an excellent teacher's tool. It is good to have new resources to expand the scope and depth of a lesson. It enriches the lesson for the students, and keeps teachers up to date!
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