Learn360Awareness, an initiative from Learn360 designed to build awareness of specific topics and link supporting educational content to those topics, will focus on increased awareness of bullying. The ongoing program, implemented in November 2011, highlights relevant topics throughout each school year with unique URLs and specialized resources for the classroom.

Bullying, which includes verbal, physical, indirect or cyber actions, affects a child every seven minutes. Whether it be caused by hitting, name calling, isolation or the spread of rumors, victims of bullying are often left with a distorted self image, lack of self esteem, health problems and even depression into adulthood.

“Of the one in four teens who report being bullied, 58 percent of those victims have not told an adult that it happened, especially if the incident took place online,” said Chris Sanborn, president of Learn360. “Our goal with Learn360Awareness and its focus on bullying is to draw attention to the issue, while also giving teachers and students an outlet for addressing it. It’s important to focus on these topics early and often to avoid long-term effects for victims of such abuse.”

The program provides the opportunity to find related resources and additional facts on each highlighted issue from top producers and partners. Key contributors to its current topic of choice include Mazzarella Media, Sunburst Visual Media, The Fat Boy Chronicles, IROC2.org and eProfessional Development Library.

“Far too many cyber bullies believe they are anonymous when using the Internet, and that is unfortunate,” said Richard Guerry, founder and executive director of Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (IROC2.org). “We’re privileged to be sharing our expert insight on digital consciousness in partnership with the Learn360Awareness initiative. Our hope is that these resources and this information will help the bullies learn the consequences and teach the victims how to approach the situation.”

Learn360Awareness will be sponsoring two webinars:

  • Bullying & Students with Disabilities: Understanding Roles & Responsibilities; 7 p.m. EDT on March 19; hosted by Julie Swanson (Special Education Advocate) and Jennifer Laviano (Attorney, Special Education)

    Click here to register.

  • Addressing Cyber Bullying, Social Media Issues & More: 7 p.m. EDT on March 28; hosted by Richard Guerry (founder & executive director, IROC2)

    Click here to register.

For more information on Learn360Awareness and its “Take a Stand Against Bullying” initiative, visit http://www.learn360bullying.com. To check out Learn360, visit http://www.learn360.com.

About Learn360

With an extensive library of digital video titles and online resources, Learn360 gives educators and students the power to meet and exceed 21st century educational expectations. Setting a superior standard of quality for video streaming, Learn360 delivers the rich resources educators need to bring standards-based and differentiated instruction to students everywhere. Learn360 is a division of AIM Education, Inc. For more information, or to sign up for a free 30-day trial, visit http://www.learn360.com.