President: Wayne Blair
E-mail: wblair@planet.eon.net
83 Midland Crescent
Calgary, Alberta Canada T2X 1N8
Tel: (403) 803-8720
Fax: (403) 313-9177
The Alberta Association for Media Awareness (AAMA) was formed in 1990. At present, it has a membership of approximately 40 educators, including a five-member executive committee. Each year the association holds four or five open executive meetings, numerous consultations, and a few workshop and conference presentations. In 1991, with support from four school districts and three educational associations, the AAMA conducted a conference in Edmonton for 125 educators.
In recent years, the AAMA has struggled to maintain a consistent level of energy, activity and focus. However, it is working at reinvigorating its organization and continuing its mandate to promote media education and media awareness throughout the province of Alberta. In July 2001, in partnership with the Society of Instructional Technology Edmonton, and funded by CHUM Television, Shaw Communications and the ALTIS Group, the AAMA organized a two-day Think Tank on media literacy. In addition to AAMA members, the participants included representatives from Grades K-12 education, post-secondary education, student, parent and community associations, government and the private sector. From the Think Tank, the AAMA has identified 20 core challenges faced by Alberta media educators, as well as a number of strengths and certain needs that must be met in order to facilitate media literacy. The findings of this Think Tank will guide much of the AAMA’s direction in the coming years.
To facilitate new members, the AAMA has created a Web site that features contact and membership information, a speakers bureau and a list of upcoming events.
Last updated July 2002
