Democratic Education, Experiential Education and Exploring the Agency of Students: Educational Principles, Practices, and Philosophies in the Promotion and Achievement of Active and Engaged Students - AND- Media Education History, Currency, and Future in

Essay one: This extended essay draws on theories mainly from John Dewey and Paulo Friere to show how their philosophies are valuable to education, and in particular media education. The prominence and similarities between the work of John Dewey and Paulo Freire merit consideration and analysis as both thinkers offer significant contribution to the modern conception of non-traditional education. Both thinkers felt the roles of experience and democracy were essential as both must exist for liberation-based development to occur and democratic education to be made possible. Understanding Dewey and Freire is critical as they draw attention to both pedagogy and content, particularly with how they relate to the democratic ideal. As media literacy has become essential in the education of young students, the research presented in this essay helps devise a framework for a media literacy curriculum influenced by the thinking of Dewey and Freire.Essay two: This extended essay discusses the history of media education in British Columbia by shedding light on key developments and by mentioning the obstacles encountered in the advancement of media education. Two university level educators, and an advocacy group member from a non-profit organization are interviewed to investigate the relevance of media education and the direction in which it is headed. The primary research found that basic media education should start at the elementary level in students’ lives, and should continue at the secondary level to assist in the positive development of students. Discussion of pornography in the classroom, and more broadly, visual media literacy as part of a diverse society, were deemed important by interviewees and research findings for consideration as future media education topics. The research revealed in the essay found that youth should have safe environments where they can discuss pornography, and visual media literacy should also be promoted for social justice as part of a diverse society.