Outcome Chart - Alberta - Social Studies 30-1 - Grade 12

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

Dimensions of Thinking

S.1 develop skills of critical thinking and creative thinking:

  • evaluate ideas and information from multiple sources
  • determine relationships among multiple and varied sources of information
  • assess the validity of information based on context, bias, sources, objectivity, evidence or reliability
  • predict likely outcomes based on factual information
  • evaluate personal assumptions and opinions to develop an expanded appreciation of a topic or an issue
  • synthesize information from contemporary and historical issues to develop an informed position
  • evaluate the logic of assumptions underlying a position
  • assemble seemingly unrelated information to support an idea or to explain an event
  • analyze current affairs from a variety of perspectives

MediaSmarts Resources

S.2 develop skills of historical thinking:

  • analyze multiple historical and contemporary perspectives within and across cultures
  • compare similarities and differences among historical narratives
  • discern historical facts from historical interpretations through an examination of multiple sources
  • identify reasons underlying similarities and differences among historical narratives
  • demonstrate an understanding of how changes in technology can benefit or harm society
  • use current, reliable information sources from around the world

MediaSmarts Resources

S.3 develop skills of geographic thinking:

  • use current, reliable information sources from around the world, including online atlases
  • assess the impact of human activities on the land and the environment

MediaSmarts Resources

S.4 demonstrate skills of decision making and problem solving:

  • develop inquiry strategies to make decisions and solve problems
  • generate and apply new ideas and strategies to contribute to decision making and problem solving
  • describe a plan of action to use technology to solve a problem

MediaSmarts Resources

Social Participation as a Democratic Practice

S.5 demonstrate skills of cooperation, conflict resolution and consensus building:

  • demonstrate leadership by initiating and employing various strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully and equitably
  • participate in persuading, compromising and negotiating to resolve conflicts and differences
  • interpret patterns of behaviour and attitudes that contribute or pose obstacles to cross-cultural understanding
  • respect the needs and perspectives of others

MediaSmarts Resources

S.6 develop age-appropriate behaviour for social involvement as responsible citizens contributing to their community:

  • demonstrate leadership by engaging in actions that enhance personal and community well-being
  • acknowledge the importance of multiple perspectives in a variety of situations

MediaSmarts Resources

Research for deliberative inquiry

S.7 apply the research process:

  • develop, express and defend an informed position on an issue
  • reflect on changes of perspective or opinion based on information gathered and research conducted
  • consult a wide variety of sources, including oral histories, that reflect varied viewpoints on particular issues
  • integrate and synthesize argumentation and evidence to provide an informed opinion on a research question or an issue of inquiry
  • select and analyze relevant information when conducting research
  • plan and perform complex searches, using digital sources
  • generate new understandings of issues by using some form of technology to facilitate the process
  • record relevant data for acknowledging sources of information, and cite sources correctly
  • respect ownership and integrity of information

MediaSmarts Resources

Communication

S.8 demonstrate skills of oral, written and visual literacy:

  • communicate effectively to express a point of view in a variety of situations
  • use skills of formal and informal discussion and/or debate to persuasively express informed viewpoints on an issue
  • ask respectful and relevant questions of others to clarify viewpoints
  • listen respectfully to others
  • use a variety of oral, visual and print sources to present informed positions on issues
  • apply information technologies for context (situation, audience and purpose) to extend and communicate understanding of complex issues
  • use appropriate presentation software to demonstrate personal understandings
  • compose, revise and edit text
  • apply general principles of graphic layout and design to a document in process
  • understand that different types of information may be used to manipulate and control a message (e.g., graphics, photographs, graphs, charts and statistics)
  • apply principles of graphic design to enhance meaning and engage audiences

MediaSmarts Resources

S.9 develop skills of media literacy:

  • assess the authority, reliability and validity of electronically accessed information
  • evaluate the validity of various points of view presented in the media
  • appraise information from multiple sources, evaluating each source in terms of the author’s perspective or bias and use of evidence
  • analyze the impact of various forms of media, identifying complexities and discrepancies in the information and making distinctions between sound generalizations and misleading oversimplification
  • demonstrate discriminatory selection of electronically accessed information that is relevant to a particular topic

MediaSmarts Resources