| In 1965 Marshall McLuban wrote, “Just as we now try to control atom-bomb fallout, so we will one day try to control media fallout. Education will become recognized as civil defense against media fallout.” To date this has not happened. Only now is the subject of media education gaining some legitimacy, and although it is a relatively new curricular addition in most Canadian provinces, it is far from entrenched.; Previous international studies show that lessons in media education can be effective in helping students recognize and deconstruct media messages (Hobbs, 1998b). But few empirical studies of this kind are specific to Canada. My research was intended to determine if the subject, as taught in New Brunswick, is achieving similar results to those undertaken elsewhere.; This research was designed as a qualitative case study of a unit in a grade 12 Media Studies class. Chronological data revealed a consistent development in students' factual knowledge and critical viewing skills over the course of the unit. Results also suggest that the standards of best practice in media education are not consistently followed. Structural conditions such as funding and professional development intended to promote best practice are also absent, indicating that media education remains on the curricular fringe.; Recommendations for future research include more empirical studies in this field, especially those specific to New Brunswick as there is a need to understand the daily experiences of media education classes. |
