NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Knowledge Delivery Systems, a provider of strategic professional development solutions for teachers, schools and districts, has developed two new courses on Internet safety and cyberbullying as part of its online professional development suite of products.

The first course, "Cyber Savvy: Promoting Students' Safe and Civil Internet Practice," will offer teachers, including educational technology professionals, librarians, health teachers and others, with the insight necessary to provide effective universal education to students that will promote safe and responsible use of digital technologies.

The other course, "Cyberbullying: Empowering Students Against Digital Aggression, Abuse, and Exploitation," provides insight and recommended strategies necessary for educators responsible for risk prevention and safe schools to establish effective, comprehensive, research-grounded prevention and intervention initiatives to address digital abuse and exploitation.

The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act requires that all schools receiving E-Rate funds must teach students about Internet safety, including cyberbullying. Many states have passed cyberbullying laws designed to protect students from digital abuse. These statutes often include requirements for teacher training.

"Cyberbullying is a huge issue in 21st century schools," said Alvin Crawford, CEO of Knowledge Delivery Systems. "By providing specific tactics to educate students, these courses help educators feel confident in their ability to protect students against digital abuse, inside and outside the classroom."

Nancy Willard, director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, will present the courses. Willard, a nationally recognized authority on digital safety and abuse issues, has focused her attention on these concerns since 1995.  She has written two books on digital safety, with a third book to be published this fall.

"My approach is grounded in the understanding that the vast majorities of young people make, or want to make, positive choices when using digital technologies.  My courses encourage educators to approach digital concerns in a way that promotes positive norms, increases effective skills, engages and empowers young people to be helpful allies, and responds to hurtful situations in a restorative manner," said Willard.

The courses can be purchased individually or as part of a package. Complete course descriptions are available for review online.

About Knowledge Delivery Systems

KDS provides online strategic professional development enabling districts and schools to improve their instructional practice by delivering customized programs that align with their specific goals.  Its award-winning platform allows districts to create courses, engage collaboratively in virtual learning communities, and leverage its library of research-based courses. KDS courses are presented by today's most respected industry experts who impart key strategies that enrich and improve practice. Go to www.kdsi.org for more information.

SOURCE Knowledge Delivery Systems