Lost Skills of Old-Time Communication

The other day, a friend of my 11-year-old daughter called the house to make arrangements to get together for a group project.

Cell Phones and Texting, Parents

Outcome Chart - British Columbia - English Language Arts - New Media 11

Big Ideas:

  • People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.  
  • Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed.
  • Digital citizenship requires both knowledge of digital technology and awareness of its impact on individuals and society.

Overall Expectations: Comprehend and Connect (reading, listening, viewing)

For kids, social media isn’t always social

Here’s a weird thing: my kids don’t use social media to be, you know, social.

The other day, I was scrolling through my own Instagram feed, while my youngest daughter was looking over my shoulder. She was asking why I follow every account I follow. I explained time and again that each account was a friend of mine – some closer than others, but, for the most part, people I’ve met at some point in life and who I wanted to keep in touch with.

Digital Health, Parents, Social Networking

What parents need to know about YouTube

YouTube is a window into a world of wonder. There is so much great material to be found there, whether it’s for education, entertainment, or inspiration.  But there’s also a lot of inappropriate stuff in amongst the cat videos and Kid President. Question is, how do we, as parents, help our kids safely navigate YouTube?

Internet & Mobile, Parents

Hello world.

My name is Andrea Tomkins and I am the new MediaSmarts Mom. I am thrilled to be in this space and sharing my first post with you today.

Parents

Outcome Chart - British Columbia - Physical and Health Education Grade 9

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the British Columbia Grade 9 Physical and Health Education curriculum, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Outcome Chart - Ontario - Introduction to Business 9/10 Open (BBI1O/2O)

Business Fundamentals

Overall Expectations:

By the end of this course, students will:

  • demonstrate an understanding of ethics and social responsibility in business

Specific Expectations:

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility:

By the end of this course, students will:

Outcome Chart - Manitoba - Applying Information and Communication Technology 2 15F

Common Outcomes

Students will…

3. Assess textual, numerical, aural, and visual information, as well as the source of the media, to determine context, perspective, bias, and/or motive. (G-3.2)

4. Self-assess ICT representations and go beyond established criteria by enhancing meaning and/or artistry, according to topic, audience, purpose, and occasion. (Pr-3.2)

Outcome Chart - Nunavut - Grade 12

This outcome chart contains media-related learning outcomes from the Nunavut curriculum, with links to supporting resources on the MediaSmarts site.

Sick Days

I work from home, and I think that means my kids get more sick days than the average student. It’s pretty easy for them to convince me that they need a day of rest if they have a bit of a cough or a slight fever. I admit I’m probably too easily swayed and I do tend to cave in when they look up at me with big sad eyes from where they have swooned onto the couch.

Cell Phones and Texting, Digital Health, Excessive Internet Use, Parents, Social Networking, Television