United Nations Cyberschoolbus

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Award-winning resource tackles tough subjects.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning1
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this site discusses topics that younger kids might not be ready for such as genocide, torture, human rights violations, and AIDS. Parents should also be aware that it links directly to the UN's official news site, which may include images and content that could disturb younger or more sensitive kids.

  • Educates kids about international issues and encourages them to get involved; provides forums where kids from around the world can discuss various issues and collaborate on action-oriented projects.
  • Information may cover issues such as war, genocide, land mines, etc., but does so in a factual way.
  • Curriculum, information, and news stories may touch on human rights sexual violations.

What kids can learn

1

While United Nations Cyberschoolbus was created with educational intent, it appears to have limited learning potential.

Kids can learn about global topics like poverty, hunger, and discrimination. They have access to UN data, can learn about model UN, or play a few games, or read information in the themed units for classroom teachers. Unfortunately it’s been awhile since the site has gotten some attention; there are broken features, dead links, and out of date projects. Despite the need for serious updating, a good teacher may find the themed units and activity suggestions useful.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading
  • Math
  • Arts
  • Hobbies

What's it about?

Jump aboard the CYBERSCHOOLBUS -- the online component of the United Nations Department of Public Information and the Global Teaching and Learning Project -- to learn about important international issues such as peace, world hunger, and racial discrimination. The Cyberschoolbus encourages kids to create solutions to global problems through projects such as a tree-planting campaign, and the forums are where kids from around the world can discuss things and collaborate on projects (teachers register their participants). Video clips and links to the UN's official news site offer further education on world issues.


Is it any good?

 

The information is extensive, and because it addresses topics that younger kids might not be ready to handle (such as genocide and human rights violations), teachers and parents will want to go through it to create customized learning plans. Interactive learning tools -- such as a quiz on international flags and a section that lets kids plug in country names to see how, for example, Sweden's economy differs from Bulgaria's -- are fun for kids of all ages.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about ways to get involved in international issues, and how a problem on the other side of the world has the potential to affect all of humankind. For instance, can you think of a way to get your school or community involved in helping to bring clean water to villages that need it?

  • Why is it important to take an interest and get involved in international issues?


This review of United Nations Cyberschoolbus was written by

What kids can learn

1

While United Nations Cyberschoolbus was created with educational intent, it appears to have limited learning potential.

Kids can learn about global topics like poverty, hunger, and discrimination. They have access to UN data, can learn about model UN, or play a few games, or read information in the themed units for classroom teachers. Unfortunately it’s been awhile since the site has gotten some attention; there are broken features, dead links, and out of date projects. Despite the need for serious updating, a good teacher may find the themed units and activity suggestions useful.


Subjects
  • Language & Reading:
  • Math:
  • Science:
  • Social Studies: citizenship, global awareness, government
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:

What's it about?

Jump aboard the CYBERSCHOOLBUS -- the online component of the United Nations Department of Public Information and the Global Teaching and Learning Project -- to learn about important international issues such as peace, world hunger, and racial discrimination. The Cyberschoolbus encourages kids to create solutions to global problems through projects such as a tree-planting campaign, and the forums are where kids from around the world can discuss things and collaborate on projects (teachers register their participants). Video clips and links to the UN's official news site offer further education on world issues.


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This review of United Nations Cyberschoolbus was written by
Genre:Educational

This review of United Nations Cyberschoolbus was written by

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