AML in Action (PS Retired Folx Are Eveready Rabbits!)

I admit it - I'm a busy person. I'm involved in a lot of things. I can do these things because I'm very fortunate; I have a husband who takes care of maintaining the house and my two children are at a very independent stage in their lives. My activity level is nothing compared to some of the "retired" people I know. I'll highlight them in the second half of this post. The first half is devoted to promoting some of the recent activities of an organization I'm involved with - the Association for Media Literacy.

The Association for Media Literacy is a small group of dedicated individuals ("teachers, librarians, consultants, parents, cultural workers and media professionals") who care about society's media literacy. I, along with Chelsea Attwell, am the co-vice-president of the organization. These are just a few things that AML has been up to lately.

1) Offering an AQ Course

Believe it or not, AML is the only group currently providing an Additional Qualification course on Media Literacy. You can sign up for the course using this link - https://aml.ca/professional-development/additional-qualifications/ The Ontario College of Teachers lists three organizations that are certified to give courses in this area (TDSB and the University of Windsor are the others) but AML is the only one with Media on the roster as available. Despite the fact that I'm already involved in other AQs, I really want to take my Media Part 2 - and hopefully OCT will accredit the course in time for me to take it in the spring. I learned so much in Part 1 and in today's climate, we need media literacy skills more than ever before. The course will be taught by two experts in the field: Carol Arcus and (current AML president) Neil Andersen.  Now is the perfect time to become more media literate so sign up if you can!

2) New Mini-series in Mediacy Podcast

Mediacy is a podcast hosted on VoicEd Radio. I recorded four episodes focused on chatting with people who are addressing media literacy in post-secondary circles, even when they aren't "media studies specialists". The conversations were absolutely delightful and chock-full of learning for me. I couldn't have done it without the technical skills of VoicEd founder, Stephen Hurley. Our guests were:

• Dr. Sonja Nikkila from the University of Toronto
• Dr. Michael Hoechsmann from Lakehead University
• Dr. Lana Parker from the University of Windsor
• Dr. Teresa Redmond from Appalachian State University

A common theme that emerged from our talks was that we need to be interdisciplinary in our thinking and approaches. I will advertise when the episodes are ready to be heard. Big thanks to all of the guests for sharing their time and expertise with me.

3) International Council for Media Literacy IMLRS Conference

Neil Andersen and I will be presenting at the IMLRS (International Media Literacy Research Symposium) conference in Madison, Wisconsin in June 2022. This is a smaller contingent because many AML board members are preparing to attend MES in British Columbia in March 2023. 

4) Advocacy for Media Literacy Updates to the Ontario Curriculum

Did you know that the "current" Ontario Curriculum document for Grades 1-8 Language was written in 2006? It, and the secondary counterpart, is in dire need of an update, and media literacy should continue to be an important part of the document (and, to be honest, other curriculum documents as well). AML has recently provided extensive feedback to the Ministry on the urgent need to update the media literacy strand and - fingers crossed - hopefully the suggestions will be seriously take into consideration.

***************************

These are just four things that AML has been up to lately. There are many more projects on the go. I really tip my hat to two particular AML members (retired educators) for working doggedly behind the scenes. Between them, and the chair / vice-chair (retired educators) who do so much for Canadian School Libraries and the leader (retired educator) of VoicEd Radio ... notice a trend? Retired educators are some of the busiest people I know! Ergo, a quick photo salute to:

Neil Andersen

(I took this picture of us when we were in Washington DC for the NAMLE 2019 conference.)

Carol Arcus

(This is a picture of Neil and Carol at an AML anniversary event.)

Carol Koechlin

Anita Brooks-Kirkland

(I don't think I have a recent photo with all three of us in the photo - since one of us is usually behind the camera capturing the action. This photo, with Eric Walters, was taken at the Treasure Mountain Canada 6 (2020) event in Toronto.)

Stephen Hurley

(Once again, no photos of the two of us together - I believe I took this photo of Stephen as he listened to the speech honouring him with an award at OLA SuperConference 2020.)

Neil, Carol, Anita, Carol and Stephen - your devotion, passion and energy to the causes near and dear to your hearts are admirable. Thank you for all you do!