Virtual Republic
By Jennifer Sitkin,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Current-event site designed to get kids into activism.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this website.
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Virtual Republic
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What’s It About?
VIRTUAL REPUBLIC is a free, online website that provides a forum to learn about and discuss solutions to current issues. Part of the Colonial Williamsburg educator resources, the website was developed for school use but can be used by parents who want to engage with their kids about current issues. Issues are sorted by topic, case study, or date. Each issue page includes a short article on the issue and links to additional content, including how the issue relates to you and current and past policy. In addition, there are policy solutions and proposed actions that encourage discussion and civic involvement. The discussions are monitored, and kids must follow rules of engagement and be part of a registered class if they post comments.
Is It Any Good?
This is a valuable tool for informing kids about current events and how kids have a role in addressing key issues facing the world and their communities. The site is easy to navigate, and the articles are written for a secondary audience. The focus on how each issue relates to "you" emphasizes personal connections and responsibility, which should increase learning. The content on the site is primarily text-based, so parents will need to supplement with multimedia or answer questions to be sure kids are understanding the issue. But the emphasis on taking action is supported by a list of organizations that can be used to get kids involved in their communities. Virtual Republic could be the site that helps your kids gain and keep an interest in being politically and socially active.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about current issues and related policies past and present. How have policies in the past helped present issues? How have they hindered them?
Debate different current event topics -- perhaps how to pay for college, immunization requirements, and the right to protest. Are these issues that will be resolved soon, or do you think these topics will continue to come up in society?
Website Details
- Subjects: Language & Reading: discussion, forming arguments, presenting to others, writing, writing clearly, Social Studies: citizenship, global awareness, government, history
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, applying information, making conclusions, thinking critically, Self-Direction: academic development, Communication: asking questions, conveying messages effectively, Collaboration: respecting other viewpoints, Tech Skills: using and applying technology
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Activism, High School, History
- Pricing structure: Free
- Last updated: November 5, 2015
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