Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of digital media and technology, has recognized Broadalbin-Perth as a Common Sense Certified District: Digital Citizenship.
Under the leadership of B-P Intermediate School computers teacher Allison Renda, during the 2016-17 school year, Broadalbin-Perth implemented a district-wide digital citizenship curriculum to teach students to be safe, respectful and responsible when using an electronic device. The curriculum covers eight topics:
- Internet safety;
- Digital footprint and reputation;
- Privacy and security;
- Self-image and identity;
- Relationships and communication;
- Information literacy;
- Cyberbullying and digital drama; and
- Creative credit and copyright.
As part of the process required for B-P to earn its district certification, Renda coordinated online training sessions for teachers, school-wide presentations, and a Parent University workshop, “Keeping Kids Safe Online.” B-P exceeded the minimum requirements by providing five lessons on digital citizenship to all children in grades K-8 during the school year.
“We applaud the faculty and staff of Broadalbin-Perth for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students’ education,” said Jessica Lindl, Head of Common Sense Education. “Broadalbin-Perth deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large.”
Common Sense Education’s innovative and research-based digital citizenship resources were created in collaboration with Dr. Howard Gardner of the GoodPlay Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The resources teach students, educators, and parents tangible skills related to internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, managing online relationships, and respecting creative copyright. The free resources are currently used in more than 90,000 classrooms nationwide.