Evolve Education are partnering with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Common Sense Media (CSM) in an Australian-first study to teach young children, including those aged three to four, about digital citizenship. This project seeks to demonstrate the positive impact proactive, targeted online safety education can have when it is effectively embedded in the classroom.The trial involves primary schools from remote, rural, and metropolitan regions across Australia as well as preschools and kindergartens

Steven & Bec

“Online safety education must be engaging, ongoing and reflect the very real challenges and experiences students face online."

-Rebecca Martin

The project is led by QUT’s Professor Michael Dezuanni, who is a chief investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. Professor Dezuanni says that we need to introduce young children to critical reflection about their technology use in ways that are engaging and fun.

Common Sense Education Vice President of Education Programs Kelly Mendoza said she had confidence in the partnership to empower students to stay safe online. “Common Sense Education is committed to supporting students, educators, and schools in Australia to build a positive culture of digital citizenship,” she said.

 

"We need to introduce young children to critical reflection about their technology use in ways that are engaging and fun."

-Michael Dezuanni

Michael Dezuanni​

Evolve Education Co-Founder Rebecca Martin explained that participating schools will receive a combination of face to face and online professional development throughout the project that will cover a wide range of online safety and digital wellbeing concepts. “Online safety education must be engaging, ongoing and reflect the very real challenges and experiences students face online.” she said.

Steve Villani from Evolve Education also added, “Evolve Education is thrilled to be working with QUT and Common Sense Media to empower students across Australia with the strategies to stay safe online, build critical literacy skills and take charge of their digital wellbeing.”

 

Online Safety Curriculum to be Trialled in Australian First

To date, there is no research-approved digital curriculum being taught in Australian schools or in early years educational contexts. In order to cover both of these key areas, the project has been broken up into two activities.

 

“Evolve Education is thrilled to be working with QUT and Common Sense Media to empower students across Australia with the strategies to stay safe online, build critical literacy skills and take charge of their digital wellbeing.”

-Steve Villani

Activity one will see Evolve Education travel to metro, regional and rural schools across 5 states and territories to deliver professional learning to school staff on how to effectively implement Common Sense Media’s Digital Citizenship curriculum. At the conclusion of the project, QUT will host a ‘community of practice’ conference with all ofthe school leaders involved. The conference will provide an opportunity for each school to share their experiences and detail their key takeaways from their involvement in the project.
Online Safety Curriculum to be Trialled in Australian First

Activity two will specifically focus on pre-schools and kindergartens. Professor Dezuanni says lessons about digital citizenship for young children are being developed using the principles of play-based learning that’s appropriate for preschool and kindergarten settings.

Additional expertise to create the pre-school and kindergarten resources to help teach online safety will be drawn from Professor Susan Edwards from Australian Catholic University, who is a world-leader in play-based education and technology education.

The project has been allocated $544,400 in funding that will run for one year.

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