InTheCapital

By Charlie Warzel / @cwarzel

Now here’s what we like to see, politicians stepping forward with innovative ways to educate students. We dig. 

According to the Associated Press and as first posted by the Washington Post, Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell and Va. Sen. Mark Warner are teaming up to help students understand and better use the technology that’s all around them. 

Here’s the scoop:

The program, “My Digital Life,” is a joint effort by technology company Neustar and digital education platform provider EverFi. The curriculum is designed for students in grades eight through 10 and includes topics such as cyber bullying, good texting practices and online research.

“Technology and the individualized tools it provides can fundamentally and positively change education,” said Governor Bob McDonnell at the launch event today. Sen Mark Warner also noted that,  “Our kids are living their lives on-line, and this is a great new partnership to try to make sure that young people learn how to use the Internet and social media tools in a safer, more positive and responsible way.”

We at InTheCapital love this for a few reasons. Students currently in 8th-10th grade are native to the digital culture—they don’t know a world without internet access and probably only a handful can remember dial-up access. These are the students who are more likely to send their information to the public world of the internet before they flag down their friends and, consequently, are the people who need to know the inherent risks involved in living a digital life.  Plus, we love seeing two DC-based companies working together to innovate and bring about change to the DMV.

[Lead Image via serc.carleton.edu]