Dive Brief:
- As the presence of technology and the Internet increases in classrooms, the demand for instruction in digital ethics and online safety has grown. Learning.com on Wednesday released a Digital Citizen app to provide these essentials through lessons, activities, and ‘Check for Understanding’ quizzes.
- The app, which will be ready for the 2014-2015 school year, deals with online safety, intellectual property/plagiarism, and cyberbullying through an easy-to-implement curriculum that is aligned to the Digital Citizenship Standards of the ISTE Standards-S.
- The app, which supports BYOD and 1:1 programs, is purchased on a per student basis and is accessed through a free download on a mobile phone or iOS tablet.
Dive Insight:
According to Learning.com, the average American spends 23 hours per week online. That statistic alone indicates students must be prepared to interact over the Internet properly. Add to that the fact that, also according to Learning.com, 43% of children have been bullied online. This demonstrates that although children are being raised in a world where the Internet is essential, many lack the skills and awareness of how to properly engage in the cyber world. The same way typing instruction is important for our 21st century students, educating youth on proper Internet etiquette and technique is a must.