E-learning courses on Internet safety A new e-learning course on safe internet use for children was launched on Safer Internet Day in Poland.

The course named "Safe adventure with Internet" is designed for primary school pupils aged 7-11. The e-learning modules complement the node’s previous projects - the story line is based on the Sieciaki.pl project (www.sieciaki.pl) - and provide material for three 45-minutes lessons. Course users are accompanied in their adventure by four Sieciaki characters, a team of wise-web children who know the rules of safe surfing and are the users’ guides throughout the course.

The course covers topics such as an introduction to the internet, e-privacy, meeting strangers online, harmful content, netiquette, computer addictions and viruses. Modules are adapted to the age of the user and consist of games, crosswords, puzzles and other interactive tasks. Graphics and layout are dynamic, colourful and child-friendly. There is also a glossary of terms used throughout the course.

The course is located on an independent e-learning platform, which grants various types of access and membership. After completing the course the user can take a test (17 questions on issues covered in the course) and after successfully completing the test a certificate is available for printing. Through the e-learning platform the teacher can follow the pupils' progress, print out certificates and generate statistics reflecting student participation in the course.

The programme is being promoted among schools and local educational authorities. E-learning courses for high school students, parents and teachers will be produced soon.

The course for children can be accessed here: http://www.dzieckowsieci.pl/strona.php?p=201