Implementation of new English Language Arts curricula in Alberta has provided some professional development opportunities for media educators in that province. In February and March 1998, Alberta Learning conducted a nine-day training session for 33 "lead teachers" from across the province in order for them to provide orientation and in-service sessions for teachers, administrators and parents of students enrolled in Grades K-9. Media education is a minor component of this professional development activity, although ministry officials feel it is an area that will require more attention in the next few years.

Professional development partnerships between teacher associations, school boards and corporate sponsors - resulting in events such as the Greater Edmonton Teachers' Convention Association's annual conference - also provide opportunities for the promotion of media education.

A system of regional professional development consortia was initiated by Alberta Education in 1995. Each of the consortia is led by a full-time director and governed by a board of directors made up of parent, teacher, school-board, university and ministry representatives. Since 2001, this consortia has provided Web Awareness training to hundreds of teachers, through a provincial licensing agreement with the Media Awareness Network for its Web Awareness Canada program.

Last updated July 2002