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Wisconsin court system supports Digital Learning Day and innovative teaching tools

Madison, Wisconsin - February 5, 2013

The Wisconsin court system is proud to join the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in celebrating Digital Learning Day (external link) on Feb. 6. The court system actively supports the use of innovative teaching tools in Wisconsin classrooms, not only on Digital Learning Day, but year 'round, said Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson.

Abrahamson is the state co-chair of iCivics, an online civics education website (www.icivics.org) (external link) featuring curriculum-aligned online games, lesson plans and teacher guides for middle- and high-school students.  iCivics is among innovative teaching resources highlighted by DPI as part of the Digital Learning Day, a national celebration.
"iCivics not only provides a fun way to involve students in learning, it provides teachers with valuable resources to help get the job done well," Abrahamson said. 
iCivics is featured in one of the digital learning toolkits promoted by Digital Learning Day national organizers, who say "iCivics prepares youth to become knowledgeable, engaged 21st century citizens…"

iCivics was founded by retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to help revitalize civics education in the United States. In 2010, O'Connor visited Wisconsin to promote iCivics at the invitation of Abrahamson and the State Bar of Wisconsin, which co-sponsors iCivics. Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is the other co-chair of iCivics in the state.

Next month, iCivics will be featured in a presentation to Wisconsin social studies teachers and other educators at the annual conference of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies (external link) to be held in Middleton. State DPI Digital Learning Specialist Janice Mertes, a former social studies teacher and iCivics expert, is scheduled to co-present on the topic with Abrahamson.

Additional resources for teachers on government and civics education can be found on the court system website www.wicourts.gov under teaching resources and other resources

Contact:
Tom Sheehan
Court Information Officer
(608) 261-6640

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