The Challenge:
Young children worldwide are engaged in interactive online games and virtual communities. How can we make these venues and activities safe, positive, and rewarding for them, and help them grow to become responsible, ethical, and resilient cyber citizens?
The Opportunity:
Woogi World, a unique venue within the virtual social network, was created to teach a generation of elementary-age children to safely and effectively use the Internet to 1) enhance their academic skills, 2) build positive character traits, and 3) inspire them to work together to create a better world community.
“As children begin the use of technology and the Internet, it is critical that they learn cyber safety, security, and ethics. Woogi World is designed to integrate these elements into all of our educational content, games, and activities. We believe that this comprehensive approach is essential for children, parents, and educators, and we are pleased to be the first virtual community to provide it for young children.”
Marsali Hancock
President, iKeepSafe
www.ikeepsafe.org
The Woogi World Solution (our mission):
In our safe and engaging virtual school at www.woogiworld.com, elementary-age children worldwide learn age-appropriate core educational content, essential 21st century skills, cyber safety and security, and responsible and ethical behavior that will yield academic success and the leaders of the future.
Our Goal:
To be the "online tool of choice" that parents and educators use to teach elementary-age children:
Educational content:
- Standards-based core subjects (i.e., reading, language arts, math, science, and music),
- Cyber safety, security, and ethics as recommended by iKeepSafe (www.knowwheretheygo.org/c3matrix),
- 21st century skills (i.e., digital literacy and global awareness), and
- Wellness content (i.e., health, nutrition, and fitness).
Positive character traits and skills that include:
- Internet behavior and safety,
- Balance of time on and off the Internet,
- Leadership,
- Service to others, and
The value of actively participating in community.
Our Strategic and Competitive Differences:
Academic requirements and reach:
Our games, activities, and adventures are standards-based exercises in critical thinking designed to help children achieve national and state academic mandates,
Our content is distributed nationally to elementary schools in collaboration with Studies Weekly, and
The basic entry-level WW program is free to all children.
Health and Wellness – A Balanced Approach:
- Our program teaches healthy, active living ––– physical, mental and emotional fitness, and
- We promote online learning that is then applied to offline experience.
Character development:
- Games, activities, and adventures teach and encourage positive behavior,
- We actively promote selfless serving to discourage negative traits, and
- Our programs motivate and reward families that get involved in charitable activities.
Endorsements/Sponsorships:
- Parents Magazine rated Woogi World one of the top five virtual communities for young children (2009),
- We are endorsed by lawmakers, government, and private organizations, and
- Corporate sponsorships to Woogi World and iKeepSafe demonstrate industry best practice and leadership to educate and protect young children online, an example of what’s recommended by the 2009 PointSmart. ClickSafe. Task Force (www.pointsmartreport.org).
What Others Are Saying:
Mark Kastleman:
Unlike other children's sites focused on the sale of commercial paraphernalia, Woogi World focuses on teaching children how to interact properly online, and prepares them to become global goodwill ambassadors. "We've seen dramatic behavior changes in Woogi World users just in the first 60 days of them becoming Woogi World Subscribers. Kids are standing up for others, quickly reporting inappropriate behavior, and working together to help all feel included. This is the "effect" we wanted when we first started Woogi World," Mark Kastleman, CW Academic Advisory Board member, said.
Nancy Willard:
"Having worked on anti-bullying initiatives for many years, I am pleased to help Children's Way launch Woogi-World. This children's site will not only address issues such as bullying, but it will also help prepare children to become the future leaders of tomorrow," said Nancy Willard, JD, CW Academic Advisory Board member.
Kindee Nielsen:
"Foundation for a Better Life is proud to have our collection of ‘Pass It On' materials on Woogi World. We believe that our mutual message of helping children as well as their families, to realize their potential to make a difference in the lives of others, is truly noteworthy," said Kindee Nielsen, VP of Operations, Foundation for a Better Life.
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