The nonprofit Center for Cyber Safety and Education (Center) launched a new “Garfield Virtual” internet safety program for distance learning.

“Schools worldwide are choosing to continue their classes online. This poses two challenges: looking for quality online educational programs and teaching vital internet safety to students. Garfield for virtual classrooms does both,” says Patrick Craven, Director of the Center.

Garfield Virtual allows teachers to introduce digital citizenship education in a fun and engaging environment without having to acquire additional software. The program is based on the Center’s printed award-winning Garfield’s Cyber Safety Adventures Educator Kit targeting children ages 6 to 11.

“Our physical Educator Kit continues to be our star program, but with so many schools choosing online or hybrid teaching methods, we had to come up with another way to make these important lessons available for any situation including in-classroom and virtual classrooms,” said Craven.

The program, which takes about 30 to 40 minutes to impart, includes the following features:

• Works with any video conference platform. No need to acquire additional software. Educators will receive access and instructions via email.
• Aligns with Common Core Subjects including reading, writing, grammar, critical thinking and problem solving.
• Educator and student eWorkbooks (no need to share screen):
  • The educator’s version includes the lesson plan, letters for the parents, pointers for group discussions, activities’ answer keys and part one and two of the award-winning Garfield’s Cyber Safety Adventures cartoons.
  • The students’ eWorkbook includes the cartoons, along with activities.
• Students also receive 30-day access to ‘Find & Click’ Storybooks where children will be able to revisit the lesson in an interactive self-paced online comic book.
• Because it is virtual, schools around the world can now take advantage of the program.
• No special training is required to teach Garfield Virtual.

“It’s not exclusive to classrooms. That’s the beauty of this program. HR departments can use it as an employee family activity as well as other organizations that have direct contact with a group of young students,” said Craven.

Garfield Virtual offers three lessons: Privacy, Safe Posting and Cyberbullying and is available for purchase here .