Cyber Florida and Teaching Digital Natives Introduce Innovative Virtual Cyber Program for Florida Public Schools
No-cost curriculum supports Florida legislative requirements
July 15, 2024—Tampa, Fla— The Florida Center for Cybersecurity, also known as Cyber Florida at USF, and Teaching Digital Natives are delighted to introduce a collaboration to bring a new program to Florida Public Schools, titled Cyber Hygiene and Digital Citizenship. Developed by Teaching Digital Natives, this innovative virtual learning program features a gamified, interactive virtual reality environment designed for elementary and middle school-aged students.
In response to recent Florida legislation, the program includes curriculum covering social media etiquette to meet the mandated requirements for instruction on the social, emotional, and physical effects of social media.
To encourage students to learn about good cybersecurity practices and consider cybersecurity as a potential career path, Cyber Florida at USF is sponsoring a substantial number of seats on a first come – first serve basis in Florida public schools.
The virtual reality experience is currently offered in both English and Spanish languages and incorporates real-life locations where cyber threats are likely to take place, including in home, school, and even a local restaurant. One of the advantages of the digital curriculum is its agility. The Cyber Hygiene and Digital Citizenship course can be run synchronous or asynchronous allowing flexibility to complete on the student’s own timeline.
The program covers four core modules that include 20 lessons, five-to-seven minutes each, for about two hours of learning. These short and engaging lessons are designed to keep the attention of students and increase their learning retention.
Cyber Florida at USF is dedicated to advancing cybersecurity across Florida for grades K-12, leading cyber workforce development initiatives, and facilitating advanced applied research. Cyber Florida also engages millions through awareness campaigns and resources, safeguarding vulnerable populations and organizations.
Cyber Florida at USF Director Ernie Ferraresso says, “Incorporating Cyber Hygiene and Digital Citizenship highlights our commitment to integrate cybersecurity awareness and career education in Florida’s public schools while fulfilling our broader mission to lead the nation in cybersecurity education, research, and community engagement.”
Teaching Digital Natives is a non-profit educational initiative that provides technology, cybersecurity and digital literacy for kids. Its mission is to educate today’s youth and families and retool underserved communities to mitigate the dangers of the online world. It also aims to cultivate a strong technology workforce, making the Internet a more secure experience for everyone.
Teaching Digital Natives Director of Outreach Danielle Reyes says, “Our immersive, device-agnostic platform was created after years of research and development with leading professionals in the cybersecurity and education industries and aligns with the national standards for cybersecurity education. Additionally, our program supports the instructional requirements of House Bill 379, ensuring comprehensive education on the effects of social media. We are so excited to partner with Cyber Florida at USF to bring this program to Florida Public Schools at no cost to them.”
For more information and to submit a registration request, visit: https://www.teachingdigitalnatives.org/cyber-fl-program/.
ABOUT CYBER FLORIDA
The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida, commonly referred to as Cyber Florida at USF, was established by the Florida Legislature in 2014. Its mission is to position Florida as a national leader in cybersecurity through comprehensive education, cutting-edge research, and extensive outreach. Cyber Florida leads various initiatives to inspire and educate both current and future cybersecurity professionals, advance applied research, and enhance cybersecurity awareness and safety of individuals and organizations.
ABOUT TEACHING DIGITAL NATIVES
Founded in Miami in 2017, Teaching Digital Natives is a nonprofit initiative focused on equipping youth with essential skills in technology, cybersecurity, soft skills, and leadership. Teaching Digital Natives is dedicated to empowering young people and families with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the online world safely and confidently, fostering a secure digital environment for future generations.
