Events – Action 4 Media Education

Bill Update, Events, News, Politics, Slideshow

2017 Law Promotes Media Literacy for students in WA Schools

May 12, 2021June 14, 2021 Sue D. Cook

On Thursday, April 20, our bill became a law! Governor Jay Inslee signed it with AME representatives Barbara Johnson, Nick Pernisco and Marilyn Cohen present. The law will go into effect on July 23.

This bill, ESSB 5449, is a follow up to SSB 6273. That bill made us the first state in the country to pass media literacy legislation, making Washington the model state. Read more about our success passing SSB 6273 here.

Now media literacy legislation has moved still another step forward in Washington with the passage of a second bill ESSB 5449 in 2017.

In speaking with the group, Governor Inslee noted how this bill was addressing an important subject.

Multiple news articles have come out to coverage the passing of this bill:

View images from the bill signing below.

Capitol dome

Pictured: Barbara Johnson, Action for Media Education and Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW

Pictured left to right: Dennis Small, Educational Technology Director, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Sharyn Merrigan, Teacher-Librarian, Olympia School District, Jessica Vavrus, Washington State School Directors’ Association and Carolyn Logue, Washington State Library Association.

Pictured left to right: Evan Smith, Legislative Assistant, Curt Kohlwes, Executive Legislative Assistant and Sen. Marko Liias 21st District-Lynnwood.

Pictured left to right: Jessica Vavrus, Washington State School Directors’ Association, Carolyn Logue, Washington State Library Association, Sharyn Merrigan, Teacher-Librarian, Olympia School District, Dennis Small, Educational Technology Director, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Nick Pernisco, Action for Media Education, Evan Smith, Legislative Assistant, Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW, Senator Marko Liias 21st District-Lynnwood and Curt Kohlwes, Executive Legislative Assistant.

ESSB 5449 Bill History

Marilyn Cohen shaking hands with Gov. Jay Inslee. Pictured left to right: Curt Kohlwes, Executive Legislative Assistant, Sen. Marko Liias 21st District-Lynnwood, Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW, Carolyn Logue, Washington State Library Association and Gov. Jay Inslee.

Pictured left to right: Gov. Jay Inslee, Dennis Small, Educational Technology Director, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW and Barbara Johnson, Action for Media Education.

Education, Entertainment, Events, Media Literacy, News, Slideshow, Social Media

Navigating The New Abnormal: Tips for Parents

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 hinashaahid

As part of our launch of Media Literacy Week, we are excited to promote the work of Dr. Don Shifrin, Emeritus Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at University of Washington – School of Medicine as he helps us to understand important concepts around screen time and digital citizenship while we are all participating in remote learning. Watch AMEs interview with Dr. Don by viewing the links below:

Dr. Don’s Full Interview

The value of Screentime

On Mentoring and Isolation

Managing CellPhones and Promoting Healthy Sleep Habits

Dr. Don Shifrin has been a beloved pediatrician to his patients for 40 years as well as a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. His knowledge and active interest in the field of Media Literacy have earned him an often self-proclaimed role of a “Mediatrician.”Dr. Shifrin has been a very active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics throughout his long career. He has testified before Congress, represented the Academy on national task forces, chaired an Academy committee, led media training for Academy leadership, and was the co-editor for the Academy’s first parent newsmagazine, Healthy Children. You may recognize him from the AAP’s “A Minute for Kids” radio program and from other radio and television spots where he often expertly speaks about media issues as they relate to our nation’s children. His views on navigating the media literacy issues of today offer invaluable advice to parents, teachers and children of all ages.

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Michael Danielson is AME’s Chairperson. He has been a teacher at Seattle Prep for 26 years. He has been teaching Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship for decades, but most recently in a semester course for 9th graders. He is also the EdTech director helping to train teachers and students in the best use of technology. Michael has been a writer for the Center for Media Literacy.

Education, Events, Fake News, Social Media, Technology

Download our handout “You already teach media literacy if…”

November 1, 2018December 5, 2018 Sue D. Cook

Teachers and parents can be at a loss on the topic of media literacy. We know it’s important—our young people are bombarded with messages constantly. How can we help them understand what they’re seeing, reading, and hearing? Let alone creating and sharing themselves! How can we help them evaluate the messenger as well as the message?

Click the image below to open it in a new window.This guide for teachers and parents has been created as part of Media Literacy Week by two AME board members, Ethan Delavan (high school IT director) and Janith Pewitt (high school classroom teacher). Michael Danielson, board chair (teacher and EdTech director) designed the publication.

Click here for a printer-friendly version of all 14 ideas.

Guess what, you’re already teaching media literacy!

Education, Events, Fake News, News, Social Media

WA Governor Jay Inslee proclaims Media Literacy Week, Nov. 5-9

October 26, 2018December 5, 2018 Sue D. Cook

For the first time, the State of Washington has issued a proclamation to raise awareness of Media Literacy Education and commemorate the 4th Annual Media Literacy Week, which is observed locally, nationally, and internationally.

Educators, students, parents, and adult advocates invite you to participate in a week of student activities, discussions, idea sharing, and celebration of work that promotes media literacy in communities around the world as an essential life skill for the 21st century.

Media Literacy Week is hosted by The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), with hundreds of organizations, schools, educators, partners, and supporters in the U.S. alone. See how you can participate!

Thank you to Governor Inslee and the Washington State Legislature for your continued support of media literacy education for students of all ages.

To download or view the proclamation, click on the image below or click here.

Education, Events, Fake News, News, Politics, Social Media

UW Lecture Series on Media Literacy

October 5, 2018December 5, 2018 Sue D. Cook

The University of Washington public lecture series, BUNK: The Information Series, brings an impressive lineup of speakers to Seattle.

Author and political scientist Cornell Clayton will speak October 9, “Off the Rails: Populism and Paranoia in American Politics.”
Renee Hobbs, a leader in the field of media literacy education, will speak November 28, “Mind Over Media: Teaching About Propaganda.”

The lectures are free and open to the public, but reservations are required and you must act quickly to reserve a seat.

See the full schedule of speakers.

Media Literacy Week, November 5-9, 2018 — It’s less than a month away!

Media Literacy Week activities and events raise awareness about the importance of media literacy education for today’s students, and showcase the amazing work of educators, students, and organizations across the US. Now in its fourth year, Media Literacy Week is sponsored by the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE).

NAMLE has named Ethan Delavan, Action for Media Education (AME) board member, as Washington’s Media Literacy Week chair. AME is a NAMLE partner in this annual event.

For updates on Media Literacy Week in Washington, check the AME blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

Education, Events, Fake News

You can be a part of Media Literacy Week, Nov. 5-9

September 30, 2018December 5, 2018 Sue D. Cook

From the website of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, NAMLE

Media Literacy Week is designed to bring attention and visibility to media literacy education in the United States. Inspired by Canada’s Media Literacy Week now in its 13^th year, the National Association for Media Literacy Education leads the efforts to coordinate a media literacy week in the United States to showcase the work of amazing media literacy educators and organizations around the country.

The mission of Media Literacy Week is to highlight the power of media literacy education and its essential role in education today.

Whether you are an individual teacher, an employee at an organization, or a researcher, you can get involved with Media Literacy Week. Between November 5 and 9, plan your own Media Literacy Event for your community. It’s up to you to decide what you want to organize, but if you need help planning, feel free to reach out to medialiteracyweek@namle.net.

Some ideas to get you started:

Gather teachers for a professional development workshop
Organize a screening and panel discussion at your school or in your community
Create a film festival of youth media projects developed in your classroom
Take your students on a tour of a local television station
Host a webinar about news literacy
Partner with your local maker space and explore new forms of reading and writing with emergent technology
Explore a community issue and have youth come up with civically-minded creative solutions
Debate the ethical opportunities and challenges of what “free” or “private” means online

Share your plans with NAMLE and we will post your event on the Media Literacy Week website. Send us your logo and we will add you to the list of partners.

We hope you will be a part of the 4th Annual Media Literacy Week in the United States.

Events, News, People

Media Literacy Grants Awarded in Washington State

February 7, 2018January 22, 2020 Sue D. Cook

History was made this month when the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) announced its new media literacy education grant program, funded by recently passed legislation. The grant application package was released September 16, 2019.

The submission deadline is 4 p.m., October 21, 2019.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to educational teams representing Washington’s K-12 system. Teams will be expected to develop and share openly-licensed curriculum unitsfocused on one of three subject areas:social studies, English language arts, or health. A unique feature of these units will be that they will be developed using a media literacy lens to address the content that is commonly considered in one of these subject areas.

Check out this link for a 30-minute recording of the webinar that explains the new grant program, the PowerPoint for the webinar, and a Q & A document.

For more information, contact Dennis Small, OSPI Educational Technology Director, dennis.small@k12.wa.us

Events, News, Places

AME gets a refresh

November 2, 2017November 7, 2017 Sue D. Cook

We have decided after many years to begin a needed refresh on our logo and overall design elements. We’d like to debut our new logo then to kickoff this process.

Below is the newest face of AME. A beautiful nod to cameras and photography, this logo will now be on all our materials going forward, and will replace our older logos, also below.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support. We look forward to this refresh of logos and colors while continuing to unify all of you in efforts to promote, educate and advocate for media literacy in Washington State.

Events, News, Technology

Why Amazon bought Whole Foods

June 28, 2017June 21, 2017 Sue D. Cook

amazon whole food Amazon announced Friday, June 16 that it’s buying Whole Foods for just under $14 billion, the retailer’s largest acquisition ever. The purchase holds implications for the future of groceries, the entire food industry, and—as hyperbolic as this might sound—the future of shopping for just about anything.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. At the simplest level, the deal represents a straightforward confluence of interests. Amazon needs food and urban real estate, and Whole Foods needs help.

The e-commerce giant has been expanding into groceries and physical locations, including bookstores, ironically working itself back into the brick-and-mortar business that it’s also disrupting. Whole Foods, meanwhile, offers the biggest name in yuppie groceries and a fleet of urban locations, which can double as Amazon warehouses. Meanwhile, the grocer is in a tailspin, its stock price cascading as revenue growth has fallen every year since 2012. Investors had for weeks been pushing the company to sell itself to a larger grocer, like Kroger. That Whole Foods ended up with Amazon is poetic justice, considering that, in 2015, CEO John Mackey said Amazon’s move into grocery delivery would be “Amazon’s Waterloo.” Doubters of Amazon’s strategy can point to the fact that groceries are a terrible, low-margin business. That’s true—almost as terrible and low-margin as e-commerce, where Amazon has already demonstrated that it can hypnotize Wall Street’s myopic financiers, while it spends tens of billions of dollars building a global warehousing and delivery infrastructure for a shopping future that is moving online. In short, Whole Foods was in a free fall, and Amazon is the perfect net to catch it.

Future of Film is Feminist Festival, July 13

June 27, 2017June 26, 2017 Sue D. Cook

nffty festival.jpeg

Reel Grrls, the Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) are excited to partner with Seattle Theatre Group for the opportunity to envision the future.

Join them July 13th for the Future of Film is Feminist Festival, a collective community gathering that highlights the talents of young female-identified filmmakers.

The Future of Film is Feminist Festival
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Doors at 7:00 pm, Event at 8:00 pm

The Neptune Theatre: 1303 Northeast 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98105

For more information about the festival, click here.

To purchase tickets, visit the Seattle Theatre Group (STG) website here.

Image courtesy of the festival.

Education, Events, Fake News, News, Places

Local librarians to lead workshop on media literacy

May 17, 2017May 17, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Media Literacy, a free two-hour workshop, is set at the Port Angeles Library at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Librarians Danielle Gayman and Sarah Morrison at the Port Angeles Library of the North Olympic Library System will present the workshop at the library at 2210 S. Peabody St.

“Today’s media landscape and technologies mean that misinformation or disinformation can be widely shared and disseminated, accidentally or purposefully, regardless of the facts,” according to a news release issued by the library system.

Here are the winners of the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes

April 11, 2017April 27, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Winners of the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes were announced Monday. The annual prizes, which mark the best in journalism from the year, have evolved over time to include digital and magazine journalism.

Public Service:

The New York Daily News and ProPublica

“For uncovering, primarily through the work of reporter Sarah Ryley, widespread abuse of eviction rules by the police to oust hundreds of people, most of them poor minorities.”

Finalists – Chicago Tribune
Houston Chronicle

Breaking News Reporting:

East Bay Times

“For relentless coverage of the “Ghost Ship” fire, which killed 36 people at a warehouse party, and for reporting after the tragedy that exposed the city’s failure to take actions that might have prevented it.”

Finalists – The Dallas Morning News Staff
The Orlando Sentinel Staff

Reminder: NFFTY 2017 Festival April 27-30

April 9, 2017April 7, 2017 Sue D. Cook

NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) is one of the world’s largest and most influential festivals for emerging filmmakers.

The upcoming event, held Thursday, April 27 to Sunday, April 30, will feature over 250 films from young filmmakers all over the world and two days of immersive 360° education and film making.

Festival Guide: Can’t wait to flip through the 2017 Festival Guide? Look no further, as it’s up online! Plot and plan your trip to NFFTY today.

Keynote Speaker Chris Moore: Join NFFTY for a moderated discussion with producer Chris Moore (producer on such pictures as Good Will Hunting, American Pie, Reindeer Games, and the recent Oscar-winning film Manchester By The Sea) as he debunks film industry myths ranging from producing and fundraising, to distribution and balancing work and life, through the lens of his own journey and experience in the film industry. Keynote presentation will be followed by an extended moderated audience Q&A discussion. The panel discussion takes place on Sunday, April 30 at noon at SIFF Uptown Cinema 1.

For more information about the festival and to buy tickets, visit NFFTY.org

nffty

Events, Fake News, News

Last call for early bird tickets to NFFTY 2017

March 24, 2017April 6, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Are you planning on attending NFFTY this year? This is your last chance to purchase Early Bird tickets for NFFTY 2017. Ticket prices will go up on March 25, so don’t delay!

NFFTY is the largest film festival for emerging filmmakers, with this year’s festival featuring 257 films from 27 countries. Join us for four days of films, our first ever 360° gallery, parties, panel discussions and more!

The NFFTY 2017 festival will be held April 27 to 30 in Seattle, WA.
For schedule and ticket information, visit www.NFFTY.org.

Click here to buy tickets for NFFTY 2017 now.

Events, Fake News, News

Spring events and programs from Seattle area non-profit, Reel Grrls

March 22, 2017April 6, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Reel Grrls empowers young women and gender non-confirming youth from diverse communities to realize their power, talent and influence through media production.

The organization has awesome spring events coming up, including a Finances of Film Panel and Workshop, Snap Webisode, and more summer activities.

View the most recent newsletter about current programs here.

Image courtesy of Reel Grrls.

Education, Events, Fake News, News

Seattle Public Schools and City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture announce grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

March 21, 2017April 6, 2017 Sue D. Cook

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and Seattle Public Schools (SPS), in partnership with the City of Seattle, will open up new career and college pathways for city youth to graduate from high school “Seattle Ready,” by establishing new media arts courses in the Seattle Public Schools Skills Center. Skills Center courses, taught by industry professionals, will enable students to be competitive in the local workforce and provide the opportunity to live and work in Seattle.

SPS has received a grant of $395,000 from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to fund the creation of new Media Arts courses offered through the Seattle Public Schools Skills Center. The grant will be supplemented by an additional $175,000 from the City of Seattle. Providing an initial investment, this external financial support will lead to a sustainable program. The new Media Arts courses will begin in July and students can apply today.

Common Sense Education to host Digital Learning and Leadership webinar, March 29

March 20, 2017April 6, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Join Common Sense Education for the next Digital Learning and Leadership webinar!

Wednesday, Mar. 29 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time
News and Media Literacy: Building Critical Consumers and Creators
Presented by Kelly Mendoza, Director of Learning and Engagement, Common Sense Education

To Participate in the Live Session
http://home.edweb.net/webinar/news-media-literacy-building-critical-consumers/
Test your system for best quality: www.anymeeting.com/systemtest

In This Session
More and more, young people (and adults) are getting their news online and from social media. There is also the increasingly problematic issue of fake news and determining credible news sources online. In an age of pervasive, fast, and on-demand information, there is a need for educators and parents to teach news and media literacy to kids. In this webinar, Kelly Mendoza, Director of Learning and Engagement for Common Sense Education, will lead us on an exploration of news and media literacy, including:

Why news and media literacy is more important than ever
Latest research on kids and news
What is “fake news” and how to spot it
Ways teachers can integrate news and media literacy into their curriculum
Rubrics you can use to assess students’ understanding of news literacy

Continue reading “Common Sense Education to host Digital Learning and Leadership webinar, March 29” →

Events, Fake News, News

MediaFest 2017 held in Spokane, March 22

March 19, 2017April 6, 2017 Sue D. Cook

The Northwest Alliance for Responsible Media, NWARM, is a media literacy group in the Spokane, WA area. On Wednesday, March 22, 2017 from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. NWARM is holding their third annual MediaFest, held at KSPS Public Television Station.

The one-day event brings together 80-100 area high school students interested in media careers with working professionals from every aspect of Spokane’s media to learn about potential careers and encourage critical thinking about media in students’ lives.

For more information about MediaFest 2017, visit the KSPS website here.

To learn more about NWARM, visit their website here, or follow them on Facebook.

Image courtesy of KSPS.

Events, News

Microsoft honors Safer Internet Day with launch of digital citizenship campaign

February 7, 2017April 6, 2017 Sue D. Cook

elenabs_safetyday From trolls and bullies to scammers, the internet can be a scary place full of risks for students who go online almost daily. In fact, one of every four teens has experienced bullying while online, the Cyberbullying Research Center reports.

Safer Internet Day, which was launched in 2005 by European Schoolnet and officially recognized by the U.S. in 2012, is now celebrated on Feb. 7 by 120 countries around the world. On the observance’s official international website, citizens worldwide are encouraged to “be the change: united for a better internet.”

Microsoft has heeded that call this year by releasing its first Digital Civility Index, compiled from surveys of teens and adults in 14 countries.

The research indicates that 65 percent of adults and teens have experienced some form of safety risk while online; the most frequently cited safety risk was unwanted contact, with cyberbullying and trolling coming in second.

NFFTY fundraiser December 6

December 5, 2016March 30, 2017 Sue D. Cook

On Tuesday, December 6, the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) is hosting its first annual fundraiser. It will be a night of films, free wine and food, and some cool raffles to bid on.
Tickets are only $30 each and will help to benefit NFFTY. They can be purchased here.

During these turbulent times, NFFTY provides a perfect space for the expression of young artists.
NFFTY depends on the generous donations of its supporters. If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, you can always do that at the NFFTY website.

Events, News

Our celebration was a success!

November 4, 2016March 30, 2017 Sue D. Cook

With over 60 people in attendance, from educators to policy makers and all types of professionals in between, our 25th anniversary celebration was a success!

Thank you for joining us on our journey in the last 25 years. We look forward to many more years of your support, encouragement and interest in changing the world of digital citizenship and media literacy.

Events, News

AME 25th anniversary and Twitter Summit to coincide with national Media Literacy Week

October 28, 2016March 30, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Media Literacy Week, October 31 – November 4, will kick off on Friday, October 28, 2016, when Twitter will host the Digital Citizenship Summit launch event for U.S. Media Literacy Week at their San Francisco headquarters.

The all-day global event aims to work towards solutions, promote best practices, and empower citizens to “be the digital change.” The event is being livestreamed (or Periscoped) through Twitter’s @Safety account, and can also be watched directly at BeTheDigitalChange.com.

The Summit features a diverse range of speakers and panels, working towards the one underlying question: How can we be the digital change?

Participants can also follow along and contribute by using #digcitsummit, #BeTheDigitalChange, and #MediaLitWk.

The mission of Media Literacy Week is to highlight the power of media literacy education and its essential role in education today. Media Literacy is the ability to ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, COMMUNICATE and CREATE using all forms of media.

RSVP for our 25th anniversary celebration on Thursday, November 3 during the second annual Media Literacy Week, hosted by the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE).

For more information visit www.medialiteracyweek.us

Events, News

Media Literacy Week Otober 31- November 4

May 28, 2016April 27, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Be sure to mark your calendars for Media Literacy Week which will be held this year from October 31st through November 4th. The Digital Citizenship Summit hosted by Twitter as their San Francisco headquarters will serve as the launch event for this important week. The event featuring presentations, panels, videos and awards will be live-streamed so that you will be able to access the day’s activities from wherever you might be on October 31st. The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is leading Media Literacy Week and will be partnering with the The Digital Citizenship Summit and Twitter for this launch event.

Get more information at The Digital Citizenship Summit.

Events, News

Celebrating 25 years of milestones

October 13, 2015March 30, 2017 Sue D. Cook

Action 4 Media Education would like to invite you to our 25th anniversary celebration! We will be highlighting our many programs over the years, as well the recent passage of Washington’s Digital Citizenship /Media Literacy bill.

The party will be Thursday, November 3, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Ivar’s Salmon House.

Come share food and drink while connecting with former and current AME members as well as new leaders in Media Literacy.

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2016
Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m. with toast to be held at 6:30 p.m.
Place: Ivar’s Salmon House at 401 NE Northlake Way, Seattle, 98105

We have scheduled our 25th Anniversary Celebration to coincide with National Media Literacy week, October 31 – November 4, 2016.

Expected guests will include media professionals, TV personalities, state senators, published authors and many more!

Attendees will even be able to snag a copy of AME member Nick Pernisco’s new book Practical Media Literacy: An everyday guide for teachers, parents, and students of all ages.

Join us in celebrating a pivotal moment for media, technology, education and access.

For more info contact Marilyn Cohen at macohen@uw.edu.

Keep up to date with the latest media literacy and AME news by subscribing to our blog!