General Media Literacy Education Discussion Lists, unmoderated 

(Jump down to What is a List-serv?)

When you sign up for list, we suggest you first "lurk" for about a week, not posting anything yourself but simply reading the posts and getting a feel for what people are talking about. Remeber that you can always sign off a list -- just be sure to keep the instructions that are e-mailed to you when you first sign up.

• Media-L: a general media education listserv
  The Media-L list-serv is a good way to find out what other educators are doing, or to ask for advice from long-time media literacy educators who don't usually post but often will respond to specific posted inquiries. Sponsored by the Southern New Mexico Media Awareness Council. Learn how to sign up (or unsubscribe).
• ACME (Action Coalition for Media Education) discussion list
  As of May 2008, it is not clear whether this is an active list. Click here to request to be added to it. Postings on the ACME listserv tend toward more activism and advocacy compared to those on the Media-L listserve above.
• Listserv for Media Literacy Theory and Research
  For media literacy graduate students and any one interested in media literacy theory and research, or for those interested in sharing ideas, thoughts, or questions. To subscribe to the media literacy theory listserve, send the following message: subscribe mltheory to this address: majordomo@scils.rutgers.edu.
• The MAGIC Network
  Previously known as the Oslo Challenge Network, The MAGIC Network was set up for professionals and organizations working in the field of children and the media to share information and ideas. It's an offshoot of the outstanding UNICEF website MAGIC: Media Activities and Good Ideas by, with and for Children.
• Faith-based Media Education Listserv
  Media, Culture and Religious Faith - This is an e-mail discussion group about "the impact of electronic media and media-culture on Christian faith and practice, and the contextualisation of Christian faith in this new media culture." According to media educator Sister Rose Pacatte, this list is "very international and very inter-faith based. Media literacy is discussed but it is one of many topics; justice and education are the prevalent themes. You won't get many postings.

What is a list-serv?

A listserv is a way of exchanging email with a large group of people who are all interested in the same topic. It's like a discussion group, run by a computer program that "serves" email messages to everyone who signs up to be on the "list" of members (hence the name: listserv). You can exchange ideas and questions, and join in discussions of media topics, events and teaching experiences.

Here's how it works:

• Anyone who is a member of the listserv may send a message to the entire group by sending one email to the listserv address. Everyone on the list will receive the message as a regular incoming email.
• Anyone who wants to reply may do so. Hitting the "reply" button sends your reply to everyone on the list (check the address box when you send a reply to confirm where it's going). This process of sending and replying to messages creates the "conversation."
• You may also send a private email to someone who sends a message to the list, if you feel your response would not be useful or appropriate for everyone to see. However, most the time, the other members of the list would probably benefit from your reply.

It's usually a good idea to join the list, then "lurk" for awhile. This means wait for a few days or more and just read the emails that other people send. This will give you an idea of what the typical "conversations" and topics are. Then when you're ready, send your own email and introduce yourself, giving a little background about yourself so others can learn about you and help you with their response.