November 24, 2009, Ottawa - The Media Awareness Network’s (MNet) interactive tutorial Passport to the Internet is now available to all teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded elementary schools and school boards, elementary First Nations schools, and faculties of education.  Ontario’s Ministry of Education has signed a province-wide licence agreement for this innovative digital literacy resource on behalf of the Ontario Software Acquisition Program Advisory Committee (OSAPAC).

”We are extremely pleased that the Ontario Ministry of Education recognises the importance of digital literacy skills for elementary students” said Jane Tallim, Co-Executive Director of MNet. “As digital media becomes a growing part of the every day lives of children, it is more important than ever to ensure they have the necessary skills to be responsible and safe digital citizens.”

Passport to the Internet is a Web-based, Flash-format tutorial that helps students develop the necessary critical thinking skills to apply to their online experiences. Using simulations of this age group’s most popular Internet environments, this resource teaches students about online safety, authenticating online information, recognizing online marketing ploys, protecting privacy, managing online relationships and dealing with cyberbullying.

Passport to the Internet joins other MNet digital literacy resources currently licensed by the Ontario government – the professional development Web Awareness Workshop Series and the high school classroom resource Reality Check! Evaluating Online Information. When combined, Ontario school teachers now have access to a comprehensive package of tools to support digital literacy and e-citizenship programs.

Teachers interested in using Passport to the Internet in their classrooms can contact their school board, authority or faculty of education Ontario Educational Software Service (OESS) representative.

Media Awareness Network has been a pioneer in the field of media and digital literacy for over 13 years. Passport to the Internet is one of many tools available to educators and parents on the MNet Web site (http://www.media-awareness.ca). MNet will be releasing an interactive tutorial for secondary students in 2010.

Passport to the Internet is made possible through financial contributions from Inukshuk Wireless Learning Plan Fund and TELUS.

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Media Awareness Network (MNet) is a Canadian not-for-profit centre of expertise in media and digital literacy. 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 and partners, who include: CTVglobemedia • Canwest • TELUS • Bell • Canadian Internet Registration Authority • CTV • National Film Board of Canada • Government of Canada. (http://www.media-awareness.ca/)

Contact: 

Ann Marie Paquet
Communications Officer
Media Awareness Network
613-224-7721, ext. 231
apaquet@media-awareness.ca