Digital Media Literacy Core Competencies

Traditional definitions of literacy have focused on skills relating to reading, writing, numeracy, listening, speaking, and critical thinking, with the end goal being developing active thinkers and learners who are able to engage in society in effective and meaningful ways.[1] These skills – what students need to be able to do – are needed for full participation in digital society as well, but they are only part of a larger set of skills and competencies that are required.

Health Education Overview

In the Northwest Territories Health Education, media literacy outcomes for are included under the broader categories of Mental and Emotional Well Being; Nutrition; Safety; Responsibilty; Family Life; and Alcohol and Other Drugs.

English as a Second Language

In the Newfoundland English as a second language curriculum, media literacy outcomes are included under the general outcomes requiring students to:

Family Studies

The Newfoundland family studies curriculum includes expectations that incorporate media education themes. The curriculum document Family Studies: Human Dynamics 2201 (2004) includes a section that demonstrates the complementary relationship between media literacy and family studies:

Fine Arts Overview

Many curricular expectations in Alberta Fine Arts courses relate to digital media literacy. The following excerpts from are Fine Arts curriculum document on the LearnAlberta website:

Social Sciences 10-12 Overview

Many curricular expectations in Alberta Social Sciences courses relate to media and digital literacy. The role of the Social Sciences courses in the Alberta curriculum is described as follows on the Alberta Education Social Sciences page:

Psychology Overview

Many curricular expectations in Manitoba Psychology courses relate to media and digital literacy. The following excerpt from Grade 12 Psychology (2010) detail how media and digital literacy have been integrated into the curriculum:

Science

The Manitoba Science curriculum website states that “the development of increasingly scientifically literate individuals is one of the primary concerns of a 21st century approach to K-12 science education.

Practical and Applied Arts Overview

Many curricular expectations in Saskatchewan Practical and Applied Arts courses relate to media and digital literacy. The following excerpt from Practical and Applied Arts Handbook (2006) details how media and digital literacy have been integrated into the curriculum: