The Entertainment Software Association has launched a new Digital Citizenship program with California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and EverFi, Inc. launched a new initiative in Los Angeles called the Digital Living Project, will provide an important instructional platform at no cost to school districts or taxpayers. The program is currently in use in 20 schools across Los Angeles, including at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet High School where the event was held. The program will expand to additional schools in 2013.
“Guidance around safe and responsible online behavior should be a core part of the curriculum in all schools,” said California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. “Education can help considerably in preventing and dealing with the consequences of cyberbullying and online harassment. I hope we can all affirm that, while the Internet has changed how we interact, it has not fundamentally changed how we should treat one another.”
The Digital Living Project is an interactive, new-media learning platform developed by leading education technology leader EverFi, Inc. It combines the power of instructional design, rich media, simulation and gaming. The 4-hour curriculum is for students in 8th and 9th grade and aligns with national standards established by the International Society for Technology in Education, as well as emerging state standards. The program covers a wide range of topics including digital footprint, privacy, security, cyberbullying, and digital relationships. The curriculum also focuses on building digital skills, such as creating a blog, maintaining a responsible social networking profile, and evaluating online research sources for legitimacy. By helping students understand the power of technology, the program also exposes them to possible career opportunities in the field. The learning platform tracks knowledge gain as well as students’ attitudes and behaviors on these important issues.
