Edmodo teams up with Common Sense Media to launch social learning digital literacy curriculum

Social learning platform Edmodo has teamed up with Common Sense Media to provide educators with student activities to encourage responsible use ot social media and other technologies. The digital literacy curriculum is based on the GoodPlay Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and studies by Howard Gardner and will be provided by Common Sense Media. Users of Edmodo, which is free to teachers and students, will have access to the “Digital Literacy and Citizenship in a Connected Culture” curriculum, which is intended for use in a K-12 setting.

Included in the course of study are modules on cyberbullying, plagiarism, Internet privacy and more. Lessons include an overview, objectives for teachers, student activities, handouts for both parents and students, and homework. Curriculum is separated in to K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 sections, and is aligned with standards issued by the International Society for Technology in

Education and American Association of School Librarians.

According to the project’s Web site, “We are investigating the ethical character of young people’s activities in the new digital media, including online games, social networking sites, blogs, and other virtual communities. We seek to understand how young people conceptualize their participation in virtual worlds and the ethical considerations that guide their conduct.”

“Teaching kids to think critically and behave responsibly in today’s fast-paced digital world is essential, and Edmodo is a perfect platform on which to provide these important foundational skills. It’s learning about technology by using technology,” said Mike Lorion, general manager of education at Common Sense Media. “Giving teachers and students access to our curriculum through a private social learning network is a unique opportunity to put digital literacy and citizenship lessons into practice.”

For more information, visit Common Sense Media or Edmodo.