National Media Education Week

I’ll admit that I had never heard of National Media Education Week prior to enrolling in Dr. Lipton’s class. I definitely think it is a neat idea since most everything we do, see, touch, smell, and hear is related to media. However, I must also admit that I approached the notion of participating in this specialized week with a rather fearful attitude.

I guess I was just expecting my participation to come in the form of a rally or fair, which doesn’t really excite me as I’m not a lover of large crowds, even if they are gathering for a good cause. However, in exploring National Media Education Week’s website I found a section entitled “Get Involved,” which outlined several things that I could do in order to participate. The one that stuck out to me the most was “participate in buy nothing day.” Yes! Now this was something I could do. In fact, upon learning about Buy Nothing Day through my previous blog post, I spread the word to all of my family and friends, who were universally delighted by the idea. After all, with the economy in the state that it is, we can all afford to save a little money! On November 27th, both my wallet and my student card with surely go untouched.

I also jumped at the chance to fill out Media Education Project’s survey regarding the transition from secondary to post-secondary education. I looked forward to reminiscing about my high school media-based education, as I was blessed with a teacher who had an unwavering passion for the subject. She even went so far as to implement a brand new film studies course into my high school. Thinking of her exponentially increased by inspiration and motivation. Thus, in an effort to improve my involvement in the coming years, I have signed up for the National Media Education Week Bulletin, in hopes that it will act as a friendly reminder and provide me with even more ways I could participate.

As for this years media education week, I must sat that I have gained a much greater appreciation of media education.  Through thoroughly exploring National Media Education Week’s website, and participating a few key activities, I have realized the true importance of media education.  Media is all around us, and it is incredibly important for present and future generations to be media literate.  I now realize just how lucky I was/am to be emerssed in media education. 

"Get Involved." National Media Education Week. 2008. 6 Nov 2008 < http://www.mediaeducationweek.ca/involved_ideas.htm >.

"Sign up for the national media education week bulletin." National Media Education Week. 2008. 21 Nov 2008 < http://www.mediaeducationweek.ca/bulletin_thankyou.htm >.

"The Shift from Secondary to Post-Secondary Education." Media Education Project. 2008. 18 Nov 2008 < http://mediaeducationproject.ca/polls/index.php?sid=27149&lang=en >.