We’re building real and virtual spaces, networks, and frameworks that will allow the study of digital media literacy to evolve. Our focus is on convening, probing, and connecting the field’s thinkers, researchers and practitioners. Our activities reflect this focus.
Our understanding of the impact of digital media and technology in the 21st century is limited. For the benefit of students, educators, and policy makers alike, we are engaging in participatory applied research to discover innovative ways to enable young people to become critical users of digital media. We do this in several ways:
We are convening stakeholders from across the field to explore key topics, identify needs, and create potential solutions in the field of digital media literacy education.
We are gathering perspectives on digital media literacy with a range of stakeholders, and explore partnership opportunities with leaders in technology.
We are offering digital media literacy labs where various stakeholders can research and build the foundations for curriculum and policy development.
We are testing some of the models that have been developed in the digital media literacy labs.
Working with stakeholders, we are seeking to support and engage in the training and education of select teachers in curricular models that were developed through our research—and implement those models with students.
Opportunities for communication, exchange and collaboration in the field of media literacy have been limited. We have built an online platform and partnerships where leading thinkers, organizations, community members and industry players can come together to share information, insights and best practices. This will be an ongoing way to keep the community connected and coordinated beyond annual conferences and regional events.
The platform is a global space for members of the field to:
Showcase resources and best practices
Share relevant events and initiatives
Offer webinars and training sessions
Finally, engage the public through a series of real and virtual events, spaces and local appeals. Some of the key initiatives include:
This is a virtual space where visitors can explore McLuhan’s thinking, in his own words, about the impact of technology on society through videos, interviews, articles, and more.
This is a physical facility for convening people to discuss digital media literacy—which includes an outdoor gathering space, and an interior museum, library, incubator, and seminar rooms.
This is an award that will be given annually for an initiative or to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of digital media literacy.
Leading thinkers are being brought together publicly to probe important topics related to the impact of digital media on society.