ProjectEVOLVE: New Online Safety Resources Launched for Education Settings
In February 2018, the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Education working group published the 'Education for a Connected World' framework, which describes the digital knowledge and skills that children and young people, aged 3 to 18, should have the opportunity to develop at different ages and stages of their lives. The framework highlights what a child should know in terms of current online technology, its influence on behaviour and development, and what skills they need to be able to navigate it.
The framework, which is referenced within the DfE 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (2019) and 'Teaching online safety in schools' (2019) guidance, addresses 330 statements over eight strands of online life:
- Self-Image and Identity
- Managing Online Relationships
- Online Reputation
- Online Bullying
- Managing Online Information
- Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle
- Privacy and Security
- Copyright and Ownership
The UK Safer Internet Centre who worked with the UKCIS Education Working group to create the 'Education for a Connected World' framework, have launched a new tool for educators called ‘ProjectEVOLVE’. ProjectEVOLVE is managed by the SWGfL and resources the framework with perspectives, research, activities, outcomes, supporting resources and professional development materials. The team have provided handy ‘how to..’ guides which explain how to maximise use of the site.
ProjectEVOLVE has initially been launched with a library of resources which address 4 of the key strands (Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle; Managing Online Relationships; Privacy and Security; and Self Image and Identity). The other four strands will follow in the 2020, along with additional site functionality. The SWGfL Digital Literacy site will continue to run until September 2020, when it will be decommissioned and archived.
We encourage all DSLs to share this exciting new resource with curriculum leads to help support the planning and implementation of a robust, embedded and progressive online safety curriculum within their setting.
