My First Media Literacy Workshop

    I had a phenomenal workshop with the Toronto Elementary teachers at their Equity conference last weekend. We talked about media messaging – surface and subliminal - and the consequences on the formative mind.

We also looked at media ownership, who are the gatekeepers and the goals of media.

    One eye opening interactive exercise involved their response to microaggressions and how they form and the impact it can have on a person and his/her self-worth. The conversation was open, honest and in some ways cathartic.

What I encouraged teachers to do is to make sure their classroom messaging (posters, discussion, hand-outs) is representative of society. When necessary, explain why learning tools are not inclusive or may contain racism or stereotypes that are indicative of the time it was produced.

      Media is a part of our North American lives – there is no escaping it or its impact. Once you understand the motive, you will understand the message.