Experts or Amateurs? Gauging Young Canadians’ Digital Literacy Skills: How Canadian Youth Use, Understand and Create Digital Med

It’s been almost fifteen years since Mark Prensky coined the term “digital native” to describe young people who have grown up with the Internet and digital media. In fact, the children who were born the year Prensky’s book was published are now in high school. While for many, the public perception of young people taking to digital platforms like ducks to water persists – accompanied by the image of adults, particularly parents, who are seen (often by themselves) as hopelessly out of their depth – the question remains how close that image is to reality. Are Canadian youth truly digitally literate? And if they are not "digital natives" who effortlessly acquire their skills on their own or from peers, are students learning what they need from their parents or teachers?

Outcome Chart - Manitoba - Physical Education/Health Education Kindergarten

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Manitoba, Kindergarten Physical Education/Health Education curriculum, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - Ontario - Healthy Living Grade 11

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Ontario, Grade 11 Healthy Active Living curriculum, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - Ontario - Healthy Living Grade 12

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Ontario Grade 12 Healthy Active Living curriculum with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - Ontario - Computer and Information Science 12 University/College

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Ontario Curriculum for Communications Technology, Grade 12, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - Ontario - Communications Technology 12 Workplace

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Ontario Curriculum for Communications Technology, Grade 12, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - Saskatchewan - English Language Arts Kindergarten

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Saskatchewan, Kindergarten English Language Arts curriculum, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

In the elementary curriculum in Saskatchewan, learning objectives for media studies are included as a category within the supporting domain, Oracy and Literacy: Media. Media-related objectives can also be found within Speaking and Listening, Reading and Response to Literature, Writing, Educational Drama, Research and Presentation and Computer Applications.

Outcome Chart - Alberta - Social Studies Grade 10-2

This outcome chart contains Media literacy learning expectations from the Alberta social studies curriculum, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Game tips for parents

If you're a parent, chances are there was at least one video game under the tree this Christmas. Even though your kids may be thrilled by a new title, as a parent you may be less enthusiastic. Even those of us who grew up with Alone in the Dark may balk at the detailed level of violence in Modern Warfare and Fallout: New Vegas, at least when considered as fare for kids. Both of these games receive an “M” rating, which means that they are considered unsuitable for players under 17; as with all other things, though, labeling these titles as ‘for adults only' often makes them more appealing to the unintended youth audience. In addition to the violence question, there remain issues of meaning in videogames which are harder to track but no less important. So how concerned should parents be about indulging their children's appetite for virtual violence?

Spoiled Bratz

It's been a rough couple of months for a brat. Or rather for Bratz – the giant-headed, almond-eyed, scantily dressed dolls that have been giving Barbie a scare for the last few years. One of the toy success stories of the last decade, the Bratz juggernaut now shows signs of slowing down: first, a $100 million judgment against the dolls' manufacturer, MGA Entertainment, which ruled that the original designer first drew them while still under contract at Mattel; then a successful campaign by parents to keep Bratz books out of the Scholastic catalogue, which places books in thousands of schools across North America; and, most painfully, reports that stores have cut shelf space for Bratz by as much as 50 per cent.