Common Sense Provides Resources for Educators to Prepare for Coronavirus School Closures

Offers tools and lessons for virtual teaching and digital communication.

Common Sense Media
Thursday, March 5, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2020—In response to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, Common Sense, the nation's leading nonprofit providing educators and students with the resources they need to harness the power of technology for learning and life, has curated top pick lists and resources to help teachers prepare for and make the most of teaching and learning during school closures.

Best Digital Tools for Planning, Collaborating, and Teaching Virtually

In addition to these tools, Common Sense's research-based Digital Citizenship Curriculum -- taught by more than 850,000 educators in K–12 schools in the U.S. and abroad -- can be used to help students and teachers prepare for some of the challenges they might face when communicating through digital devices and platforms.

Best-Practices Lessons for Digital Communication

  • The Power of Words, third grade lesson about online communication that focuses on social and emotional learning. Students learn how to process their feelings when they see or read something online.

  • Digital Drama Unplugged, sixth grade lesson for teachers interested in addressing some of the social challenges of using online collaboration tools. Students learn how digital drama develops and gain the understanding to de-escalate contentious situations. Covers how students collaborate with one another online and the dynamics that emerge (i.e., deciding who has access to a Google Doc and what permissions they're given, etc.).

  • Connecting with Digital Audiences, 11th grade lesson to help high school students rethink how they use their devices if they transition to a virtual learning environment. Helps students think about how they should adjust the way they communicate with one another as well as how they use their devices depending on their setting.

  • We Are Civil Communicators, 12th grade lesson that helps students identify best ways to meaningfully and respectfully engage in online discussions about contentious topics, such as whether their school should close or not. Could help students address some of the stereotypes and hateful language that have emerged as a result of the coronavirus.

Common Sense also has curated, age-appropriate media for parents to support their kids' learning at home. If you'd like to speak with one of our parenting or education experts about the lists and other ideas for spending quality entertainment and tech time at home, contact Cassandra Matter, [email protected]. For Spanish-language content and experts, contact Andrea Moreno, [email protected].

About Common Sense
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Learn more at commonsense.org.

Press contact:
Cassandra Matter
(408) 960-5115
[email protected]

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