Click Smart, Think Smart: Free Media Literacy Toolkit & Training 

By Amanda Albrecht, Digital Learning Education Consultant, WI DPI

ClickSmart from SOUK is a time-sensitive professional learning opportunity for districts that is currently available exclusively to Wisconsin at no cost to schools or districts.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has been in conversation with Shout Out UK (SOUK), a non-partisan, non-profit, award-winning social enterprise that specializes in digital citizenship, media literacy, youth voice, and combating mis/disinformation. They have secured dedicated grant funding specifically for Wisconsin, which allows them to offer their educator training free of charge for a limited period.  That time period could be extended if Wisconsin is shown to have need.

Who is Shout Out UK?

Shout Out UK’s mission is to strengthen and safeguard democracy by helping young people and the adults who serve them:

• Navigate online spaces safely and responsibly
• Critically evaluate media and digital information (including AI-generated content)
• Understand how democratic systems and institutions work
• Use their voices constructively in civic life

Their work is skills-based and strictly non-partisan, focused on critical thinking, source evaluation, and healthy digital participation rather than promoting any political position.

Why this matters for Wisconsin districts?

SOUK’s professional learning aligns closely with:

• Wisconsin Information & Technology Literacy Standards (2025) – especially Digital Citizenship, Information Architecture, and Effective Communication
• Wisconsin Social Studies Standards (2018) – including the Inquiry practices and Civics/Political Science strands around media, civic participation, and democratic engagement

Their training can support:

• Digital citizenship / media literacy across grade levels and content areas
• Mis/disinformation and AI literacy in secondary ELA, social studies, and advisory
• Student-led civic and digital well-being projects
• Library/media programs and district technology initiatives

What could this look like in districts?

Because the training is currently fully funded for Wisconsin, districts can work with Shout Out UK to design offerings such as:

• PD day or in-service sessions focused on digital citizenship, media literacy, or AI literacy
• A short series of virtual workshops for teachers, counselors, and library/media staff
• Train-the-trainer sessions for instructional coaches or digital learning leaders
• Integration into existing initiatives (e.g., portrait of a graduate, SEL, strategic plan work around civic readiness or safe/healthy use of technology)

The format and focus can be tailored to your local needs and staff schedules.

Next steps:

If you are interested in exploring this free opportunity for your staff, you can contact:

Ruth Schneider
Shout Out UK
[email protected]

Districts are also welcome to copy Amanda Albrecht on their message to Ruth. Amanda is happy to join an initial conversation to help ensure alignment with our state standards and the district’s existing priorities around digital citizenship, AI, and student safety.

Thank you for your continued leadership in supporting Wisconsin students’ readiness for both digital life and civic life.