Common Sense Launches 'Wide Open School' to Assist with Remote Learning

Common Sense has launched an online school to help educators and families cope with remote learning and teaching. "Wide Open School," as it's called, features resources curated by the media organization and provided by a number of well known education content providers, including Khan Academy, Scholastic, Time for Kids, National Geographic, PBS, Sesame Workshop and others. The daily learning activities are organized by grade band and subject.

The website features:

  • Coverage of math, English language arts, science, social studies, science and the arts;

  • Virtual field trips;

  • Resources for special needs students and English learners;

  • Ideas for physical activities and life skills;

  • Links to daily live events; and

  • Guidance on emotional well-being.

There's also a link to a bunch of guidance on setting up a virtual classroom. For grades 6-12, that incorporates links to remote learning resources, how-to's on setting up Google for Education and Zoom, digital citizenship lessons and a list of the "best messaging apps and websites for students, teachers and parents."

While most of the sites require no log-in for access, some do require registration. Common Sense has warned users that the external websites and applications "are governed by their own privacy policies or information-collection practices." For that reason, the organization advised, "We encourage you to review the privacy policies and information-collection practices of any external websites and apps before using them with children."

"This crisis has reminded us of our deep appreciation for the work teachers do every day in their classrooms," company officials noted in an "about us" page. "At Wide Open School, we celebrate teachers--and parents--as they take on this new challenge."

Wide Open School is freely available online.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • stylized illustration of an elementary school classroom under construction

    4 Educators Win Classroom Makeovers in KI Giveaway

    Furniture manufacturer KI has announced the results of its third annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway.

  • person signing a bill at a desk with a faint glow around the document. A tablet and laptop are subtly visible in the background, with soft colors and minimal digital elements

    California Governor Signs Off on AI Content Safeguard Laws

    California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed a series of landmark artificial intelligence bills into law, signaling the state’s latest efforts to regulate the burgeoning technology, particularly in response to the misuse of sexually explicit deepfakes. The legislation is aimed at mitigating the risks posed by AI-generated content, as concerns grow over the technology's potential to manipulate images, videos, and voices in ways that could cause significant harm.

  • glowing digital padlock at the center, surrounded by interlocking circuit-like patterns that form the shape of a school building

    FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Update: Administrative Window Opens Aug. 26

    The Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) has just released information on how to begin making administrative updates to prepare the user permissions necessary for the Federal Communications Commission Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.

  • close-up illustration of a hand signing a legislative document

    California Passes AI Safety Bill, Awaits Governor's Signature

    California lawmakers have approved a bill that would impose new restrictions on AI technologies, potentially setting a national precedent for regulating the rapidly evolving field. The legislation, known as S.B. 1047, now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. He has until the end of September to decide whether to sign it into law.