OTTAWA, April 28, 2016 /CNW/ - MediaSmarts, Canada's leading centre for digital and media literacy and the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF), today announced this year's theme for Media Literacy Week, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, will focus on hands-on media creation for children and teens.
"Makers and Creators" will celebrate the ways parents and teachers can help young people become more creative, innovative and entrepreneurial by embracing media production, remixing, maker and do-it-yourself culture and coding. The week will highlight the wide variety of media products young people can create – blogs, videos, music, websites, apps, video games, etc. – using easily accessible digital tools.
"We're seeing incredible media projects created by students across the country with their teachers and peers" says Cathy Wing, Co-Executive Director of MediaSmarts. "For this year's Media Literacy Week, we wanted to celebrate these creative efforts and hopefully inspire others to become involved in hands-on production."
"When students produce and create their own media, they are more apt to question media messages produced by others and to hone their critical thinking skills," says CTF President Heather Smith. "The teacher's role is paramount in framing this media literacy exercise so it is an engaging, collaborative and a very rich learning experience for students of all ages."
Media Literacy Week is an annual event, co-hosted by MediaSmarts and the CTF, which highlights the importance of teaching children and teens digital and media literacy skills. Over 100 collaborating organizations recognize the week each year by organizing activities across Canada and internationally. Media Literacy Week was officially adopted in the U.S. in 2015, where it is led by the National Association for Media Literacy Education.
MediaSmarts and the CTF are very pleased to welcome back YouTube as a Gold Sponsor of Media Literacy Week 2016.
Announcements for events, programs, partners and more will continue leading up to Media Literacy Week. For updates, visit www.medialiteracyweek.ca or sign up for the e-bulletin.
About MediaSmarts
MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. Its vision is that young people have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. MediaSmarts offers hundreds of digital and media literacy resources for librarians, parents and educators on its website http://mediasmarts.ca. @mediasmarts
Founded in 1920, the Canadian Teachers' Federation is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teacher organizations that represent over 200,000 elementary and secondary school teachers across Canada. CTF is also a member of Education International. @CanTeachersFed
SOURCE Canadian Teachers' Federation
Alex Hosselet, Marketing and Communications Manager, MediaSmarts, 613-224-7721, ext. 231, [email protected]; Francine Filion, Director of Communications, CTF, 613-688-4314 or [email protected]
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