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BSA ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE, BACK-TO-SCHOOL POLL TO NAME MASCOT
Elementary school students heading back to school in September will be invited to name the "Play It Safe in Cyber Space" mascot, a "copyright-crusading" ferret who teaches tech-savvy kids about cyber ethics.
Beginning September 1, thousands of kids nationwide are expected to log on to www.playitcybersafe.com to vote for one of five ferret names by the end of the month. The winning name will be unveiled in January in a new, educational comic book curriculum.
"Play It Safe in Cyber Space" is the Business Software Alliance’s (BSA) education program that teaches children the importance of responsible computer and Internet use, respect for digital creativity and copyright protection.
"Computer usage is commonplace in youth education today, and good legal and ethical behaviors need to be taught with the technology," said Diane Smiroldo, vice president, public affairs for BSA. "We hope that naming the ferret and creating a comic book curriculum that focuses on respecting digital copyrighted works will be a fun way to remind kids and educators about the importance of learning and practicing good cyber ethics."
The four-page comic book about cyber ethics created by BSA and Weekly Reader, a leader in educational publishing, will debut in early January. The storyline, which features the ferret as the "Copyright Crusader," is designed to educate children about the importance of protecting and respecting copyrighted works such as software, music, games and movies. The comic book and companion teacher’s guide will be mailed nationwide to fourth grade teachers who subscribe to Weekly Reader and will be available for free download at www.playitcybersafe.com.
Recent research underscores the need to continue to educate our young people about the importance of cyber ethics and respect for intellectual property.
Results of a Harris Interactive poll, commissioned by BSA, show that young people ages
8-18 understand the meaning of copyright, yet still illegally download and copy software and other digital materials. In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of cyber ethics, BSA encourages teachers to utilize educational resources, such as the cyber ethics curriculum, "Play It Safe in Cyber Space," co-developed with Weekly Reader, in their lesson plans for students.
Children may vote for their favorite ferret name by visiting www.playitcybersafe.com, from September 1 to 30, 2004. Also available for download on the site are free copies of BSA’s currently-available cyber ethics curriculum, "Play It Safe In Cyberspace." Since its initial distribution in 2002, the curriculum has reached more than 13 million kids, parents and teachers.
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About the Business Software Alliance
The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce. BSA members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, Cisco Systems, CNC Software/Mastercam, Entrust, HP, IBM, Intel, Internet Security Systems, Intuit, Macromedia, McAfee, Microsoft, RSA Security, SolidWorks, Sybase, Symantec, UGS and VERITAS Software.
About Weekly Reader Corporation
Weekly Reader Corporation is a leader in educational publishing. Created in 1902, Weekly Reader publishes sixteen magazines and a variety of other supplemental products that reinforce curriculum, help teachers meet standards, and engage students. All sixteen magazines have won awards for excellence in educational journalism. Weekly Reader currently serves approximately nine million students and 300,000 teachers nationwide.
Weekly Reader Corporation is part of WRC Media Inc., a leading publishing and media company that creates and distributes innovative supplementary education materials for the school, library, and home markets. In addition to Weekly Reader Corporation, WRC Media's operating companies include AGS Publishing, CompassLearningä, World Almanac Education Group, Inc., and WRC Consumer and Custom Publishing Group, which together market some of the best-known brands in educational publishing.
Family trips are such wonderful events and create lasting memories. Wise parents include many easily portable tricks and entertainment items with long interest appeal. You could purchase electronic games, and some of these are terrific. But why not create fun educational and creative forms of entertainment using these quick and easy tips.
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