Submitted by Christopher Howell, Assistant Superintendent in RSU 14, Windham Raymond Schools
RSU 14, Windham Raymond Schools, has been working very hard to help their students become responsible and safe in their digital lives. At the end of the 2017-2018 school year, RSU 14 committed to educating their staff with the Common Sense Digital Citizenship curriculum. Common Sense Digital Citizenship curriculum is a program that educates students, teachers, and the rest of the community in being safe and responsible while using online platforms. Common Sense uses research based digital citizenship resources, “which were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero, led by Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.” (Common Sense)
Common Sense Education recently recognized Windham Middle School as a Common Sense School for the school’s commitment to digital citizenship. “We applaud the faculty and staff of Windham Middle School for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students’ education,” said Liz Kline, VP, Education Programs, Common Sense Education. “Windham Middle School 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.”
All RSU 14 students and staff, grades 3-8, initiated the learning process this year by completing 5 lessons per grade level. 1,509 students in RSU 14, received their first year of Digital Citizenship. Using the provided curriculum creates a platform for teachers to begin discussions on important topics such as online safety, reliable sources, online bullying, and many more. Teachers are very happy to have been given the time to learn alongside their students. Using the lessons provided by Common Sense Media, allows for some much needed discussions between all involved.