The 826 Network welcomes the latest iteration of its popular online platform
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — On September 12, 2022, 826 National will launch the second iteration of its beloved platform for educators, 826 Digital.
826 Digital 2.0 will continue to host a robust collection of Common Core aligned lessons, projects, Sparks, and student writing, developed and field-tested by educators, volunteers, and students affiliated with the 826 Network. The new platform will also connect educators to resources from critically acclaimed authors, offering students opportunities to submit their writing inspired by author prompts, such as this year’s prompt from Ada Limón, the newest U.S. Poet Laureate — a project that will result in a publication of student work this spring.
The improved platform will address the needs of educators and need for broader accessibility, connecting more educators, parents, and students to quality writing curricula designed to spark the joy of writing.
“The new platform is designed for anyone, anywhere to access writing resources on any topic. Hand curated collections and the new search page can help educators find what they need when they need it. We designed the platform with the theme of “connection.” We wanted educators to connect with meaningful writing content, with student writing, with each other as a community, and with the 826 Network,” elaborates Cynthia Chiong, Ph.D, Director of Research and Development at 826 National.
826 Digital will continue to feature hundreds of writing resources from the 826 Network, including:
- Sparks — quick, adaptable writing prompts and activities
- New and improved lessons — best used to engage students deeply in the writing process
- Projects — multi-session units on a topic or theme that help teach process and revision while students produce polished pieces
- Additional Student Writing — pieces that showcase the power, brilliance, and joy of young authors and are offered as mentor texts throughout 826 Digital resources
New Resources Include:
- Videos — critically acclaimed authors and educators providing their own twist on Sparks and other writing activities
- Educator Tools — innovative strategies and best practices from 826, designed for every educator to get to the next level in their writing instruction
Exciting New Features:
- Browse Page — featuring new content collections
- Advanced Search — a new search bar and additional filters to find resources by skills, literary device, and more
- Community Gallery — educators can get inspired by their peers, building a community of practice through discussion and shared resources
- Student Writing — students can upload their writing for an opportunity to be published in our online gallery
- Bookmark, download, and share — add resources directly to your Google Classroom and share with colleagues
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen 826 Digital grow both in terms of content, with several hundreds of resources now available, and also in terms of our educators, who range from parents and homeschoolers to classroom teachers and after school program providers. Our goal with the platform is to address the growing needs of our educators and help them find the resources that they need,” states Chiong.
Reaching hundreds of thousands of students worldwide.
“[826 Digital] resources spark curiosity, creativity, and help my students develop confidence in themselves,” enthuses Katherine Sunday, an educator.
826 Digital is accessed by tens of thousands of educators across every grade level, hailing from all 50 states across the U.S. and 60 countries around the world. 826 National remains committed to making quality writing resources accessible to all and seeking new ways to reach educators and students everywhere.
“826 National is working toward a future where every student, in every classroom, has access to the joy and power of writing. 826 Digital brings us closer to this vision. We are building an inclusive, inspiring platform that fosters community and autonomy for teachers as they create spaces for students to tap into this power. As students look to translate their individual experiences around the world, it’s important that our educators across the country be championed. 826 Digital is 826 National’s way of showing up for tens of thousands of teachers and volunteers. It’s our way of saying ‘what you do is important…you’re not alone’,” shared Laura Brief, Chief Executive Officer at 826 National.
Get to Know 826:
826 is the largest youth writing network in the country. 826 National serves as the hub of the movement to amplify student voices and champions the belief that strong writing skills are essential for academic and lifelong success. The 826 Network now serves more than 450,000 students ages 6 to 18 in under-resourced communities each year online via 826 Digital and through chapters in nine cities: Boston, Chicago, Detroit/Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis/St. Paul. 826 National was established in 2008 to support a growing network of writing centers founded by author Dave Eggers and educator Nínive Calegari in San Francisco in 2002.
To learn more about how you can get involved with 826’s movement for writing and creativity, please visit our website at 826national.org
Download the 826 Digital 2.0 Press Release here..
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