In much the same way that racialized groups are under- or misrepresented in news media, they are also not accurately portrayed in entertainment media, which tends to reinforce themes that are conveyed in the news. Although positive change is occurring, it is important that media content more accurately and fairly reflect the reality of Canadian multiculturalism.
In 2016, British Columbia launched a new Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies curriculum which it describes as “an experiential, hands-on program of learning through design and creation that includes skills and concepts from traditional and First Peoples practice; from the existing disciplines of Business Education, Home Economics and Culinary Arts, Information and Communication Technology, and Technology Education; and from new and emerging fields. It fosters the development of the skills and knowledge that will support students in developing practical, creative, and innovative responses to everyday needs and challenges.”
We’ve put together some of our best resources to help you and your family manage during these uncertain times.
Online resource addresses issues of cyberbullying and privacy
November 14, 2011 (Ottawa) – Alberta Education has licensed MyWorld: A digital literacy tutorial for secondary students for all secondary schools in the province. The interactive tutorial –developed by Media Awareness Network (MNet) – offers students simulations of popular online sites to teach them about cyberbullying, hate speech, online marketing ploys and privacy protection.
Two of the most important kinds of information we look for online are about health and science. Because most of us aren’t experts on these topics, we rely on people and organizations who are experts for good information. MediaSmarts has developed new resources to help youth and adults find and recognize good information on science and health online.
The Nova Scotia social studies curriculum includes expectations that incorporate media education themes. The curriculum document Foundation for the Atlantic Canada English Language Arts Curriculum: Social Studies (1999) includes a section that demonstrates the complementary relationship between media literacy and arts education:
The Atlantic Provinces technology education curriculum includes expectations that incorporate digital and media education themes. The curriculum document Foundation for the Atlantic Canada Technology Education Curriculum includes a section that demonstrates the complementary relationship between digital and media literacy and technology education:
The focus of this curriculum is the development of students’ technological literacy, capability, and responsibility (International Technology Education Association, 1996).
In Ontario, media components are included throughout the Healthy Living Strand of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 1-8.
In the same way that Canadian news reporting does not reflect Canada’s multiculturalism, racial diversity ‘behind the scenes’ of news media is similarly disproportionate. Almost a quarter of the Canadian population identifies as a member of what Statistics Canada refers to as a “visible minority,” and while a 2021 study found a similar rate of representation in newsrooms, eight in ten Canadian newsrooms have no racialized journalists in leadership roles.