Jostens Renaissance is proud to work with the Search Institute of Minneapolis to bring you resources to help you and your teen understand and explore social media and web sites together. Below is a list of online resources that are current and reliable.
Online Resources
Center for Media Literacy
This nonprofit center focuses on media literacy education as “a framework for accessing, analyzing, evaluating, creating, and participating with media content.” The site provides strategies, tools, and professional development for educators, families, and others to cultivate young people’s critical thinking and media literacy skills.
Common Sense Media
This independent organization focuses on helping kids “thrive in a world of media and technology” by providing information and tools to parents and policy makers. The site includes ratings and reviews of movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music. It also provides digital literacy and citizenship programs for educators and schools, including a comprehensive, free K-12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum that addresses media literacy, online safety, and responsible participation in the digital world.
Digital Media and Learning Research Hub
This resource promotes research, learning practices, and programs focus on how “digital technologies are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate in civic life.” Hosted by the University of California Humanities Research Institute at UC Irvine, this site is the hub for research and resources developed from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Digital Media and Learning Initiative.
Edutopia
The Digital Literacy section provides information and tools to help teachers address appropriate, responsible behavior online, including online safety, cyber-bullying, copyrights, and what to consider in a digital footprint.
The Technology Integration section offers tools and strategies to prepare students to participate in a technology-rich world. According to the site, technology integration supports “four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts.”