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Mission Statement that Covers Two Lines
The AML promotes media education as a means of understanding the influence of the media, and its rapidly evolving technology, on our culture. We seek to do this through education of students, teachers and the public - and through networking with those who share our concerns in education, business, government, media, and community
History
a bogus link
The Association for Media Literacy is an Ontario-based, non-profit organization made up of teachers, parents, and media professionals. Founded in 1978, the AML serves the needs of teachers who are concerned about the influence of the mass media and popular culture on young people.
Media Education is concerned with helping students develop an informed and critical understanding of the nature of the mass media the techniques used by them, and the impact of these techniques.
We believe media literacy skills are essential for those who would like to fully understand, enjoy, and participate in our media-rich society.
The AML Serves Teachers and this is What the Line Looks Like When Long
The AML was the first comprehensive organization for media teachers in Canada, and is administered by an executive commimittee of volunteer members.
The AML serves the needs of teachers through a variety of services:
- Maintains a website to support media studies through research links and the sharing of teaching ideas
- Organizes international conferences, summer institutes, and regular workshops.
- Publishes curriculum anthologies and other support material. Produces the newsletter "Mediacy'' and distributes it to members
- Networks globally with media educators in Britain, Spain, Australia, The United States, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, and many other countries
- Consults on media education with school boards and the Ontario Ministry of Education, and networks with the media industry
- Provides in-service workshops to schools, school boards and teacher organizations
Where are the Super Heroes of Colour?
Action Figures and Comic Books
by Leasa Adams, Teacher, O'Connor P.S., North York Board of Education
I have often used the theme of Super Heroes to teach media literacy with junior students. It is a great tool to get students to think critically about the world in which they live. It is also a good topic because often students who are experts on super heroes are not the best readers and writers. Often the students who bring into class action figures and trading cards are the ones who are experiencing difficulty. (Also, I must admit I too have had a fascination with super heroes since I was a girl. I was wooed by the romantic notion of a superhuman person saving the world from evil.)
I have also noticed that the action figures that the students bring into school do not reflect the different races and cultures that exist in my classroom. I have not seen many, if any, action heroes who are Black, Asian, or Native. It is disturbing to see young Black males idolizing these muscle-bound white male figures. I have found that the super-hero topic is excellent for looking at racism in its various forms.
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