Published on: 05.01.09
Source: Press Release of the Media Awareness Network
The Canadian Media Awareness Network (MNet) launched on November 24, 2008 the Passport to the Internet, a new online tutorial funded by Inukshuk Wireless Learning Plan Fund and Telus, to help students in Grades four to eight develop the critical thinking skills they need to navigate the Web in a secure and ethical manner.
"The internet is such an integral part of young people’s daily
lives—communicating with friends, doing homework, playing games. It’s up
to educators and parents to ensure that they have the necessary critical
thinking skills to navigate the Net safely and wisely" says MNet
Co-Executive Director Jane Tallim. "With Passport to the Internet we have
built on our previous web literacy games and developed a more
comprehensive, more interactive, and more technically sophisticated
resource that allows students to interact with environments based on the
ones they use daily."
Passport to the Internet is designed to give youth a World Wide Web
experience without having to actually navigate on the Internet. Using
simulations of the most popular Internet environments, the tutorial
teaches students about online safety, authenticating online information,
recognizing online marketing ploys, protecting their privacy, managing
online relationships and dealing with cyber bullying.
MNet’s 2005 research report Young Canadians in a Wired World illustrated
the need for a comprehensive Internet literacy resource for use in
Elementary and Intermediate classrooms. The findings showed that students
as young as nine were active Internet users who wanted to learn skills to
manage their online experiences, including: how to make informed choices
about what kind of content they see; how to protect their online privacy;
and how decipher good online information from bad.
Passport to the Internet is available as a stand-alone program or as a
component of MNet’s licensed professional development program the Web
Awareness Workshop Series. It is a Web-based resource accompanied by an
extensive teacher’s guide that features detailed instructions,
backgrounders, classroom activities and handouts.
About Media Awareness Network
Media Awareness Network is a Canadian not-for-profit centre of expertise
in media education. Its vision is to ensure children and youth possess the
necessary critical thinking skills and tools to understand and actively
engage with media. MNet's programs are funded by its public and private
sector sponsors, donors and partners, who include: Bell Canada ·
CTVglobemedia · TELUS · Microsoft Canada · National Film Board of Canada ·
Government of Canada.
For more information, contact:
Ann Marie Paquet
Communications Officer
Media Awareness Network
Tel: (613) 224-7721, Ext. 231
Get more information from this website:
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/catalogue/products/descriptions/
passport.cfm