Curriculum in a Nutshell

Digital media and technology are evolving at a dizzying pace, bringing with them extraordinary opportunities as well as real risks for young people. Young people are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technologies to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined. But issues that emerge with this 24/7 “connected culture” – from identity theft, to cyberbullying, to uncertainty about which information to trust online – are surfacing both in schools and at home.

Common Sense Media offers this FREE Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum to help educators empower their students and their school communities to be safe, responsible, and savvy as they navigate this fast-paced digital world. The curriculum:

· Introduces reliable, research-based information to students about digital media

· Helps students explore the complex issues of our connected culture

· Empowers students to build digital literacy skills for life

· Satisfies all criteria for E-Rate compliance and is aligned to national standards for ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), AASL (American Association of School Librarians), and the English Language Arts (ELA) Common Core.

This K-12 curriculum has been implemented by classroom teachers, subject area teachers, librarians and technology educators, health educators, and guidance counselors. Lesson activities range from low-tech options, such as discussion and paper-based worksheets, to media-rich videos and online activities. Materials can also be used in informal learning environments, such as after-school programs and community centers, libraries, and museums. Also included are end-of-lesson questions and guidelines that offer authentic assessment opportunities to monitor your students’ progress, as well as assessment questions at the lesson level.

Approach

This research-based curriculum offers a balanced approach to digital literacy education. We celebrate the power of the Internet and other digital media while teaching students to avoid the potential perils of digital life. Based on the work of Howard Gardner and the GoodPlay Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the curriculum emphasizes skill building, critical thinking, ethical discussion, and decision making — using case studies and real-life scenarios. We also integrate media creation and performance opportunities. Common Sense Media takes a whole-community approach to digital literacy and citizenship, providing parents with educational resources and engaging them in discussion. There are unit- and lesson-level parent tip sheets and videos, as well as homework activities for students and parents to do together. You can also find a wealth of parent material and advice on Common Sense Media’s website at www.commonsense.org.