The Maine Learning Technology Initiative and the non-profit organization Common Sense Media are continuing their partnership this year in an effort to bring a digital citizenship curriculum to Maine schools.
Starting in July 2012, recipients of E-rate funds (including all schools using the Maine School and Library Network, or MSLN, for Internet), must include in their Internet Safety Policy a provision for how they will educate students about appropriate online behavior — including interaction on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and awareness and handling of of cyberbullying.
All school districts in the state are encouraged to develop a plan for addressing both digital citizenship and digital literacy with faculty and parents as well as with students.
To get started:
- Visit www.commonsense.org/educators to learn more about the digital literacy and citizenship curriculum. There is no cost to use the curriculum.
- Let all principals, technology leads, and librarians in your schools know about Common Sense Media’s free resources. Ask them to integrate core lessons into their curriculum.
- For support in developing a district-wide approach to digital literacy and citizenship, contact Teri Caouette of the MLTI program at teri.caouette@mlti.org.
- Contact Pam Goucher at pamela.goucher@maine.gov for more information the E-rate program and requirements.