Project Description - TechQuest

Cyberbullying

Technology has reached a point where it is readily available to the masses.  It is very easy for a student to go online, even if that student does not have access at home.  Due to the low-cost of technology, today's youth are more plugged in than ever.  With access to computers, hotspots, internet-capable phones, and mp3 players, you can see how easy it is for a young person to connect with the internet.

Schools are very eager to put technology into the hands of their students.  Quite often is the case where students are simply turned loose on the internet.   Supervision is there, but with 20-30 computers being used at one time, watching every student can be difficult.  Add to this, the charged emotions that are typically associated with middle school students, and you can see how bullying can extend beyond the physical realm and into the cyberspace. 

Due to this potential hazard, I am going to focus on cyberbullying as the topic of my TechQuest.  Since today's students are typically fluent in the emerging technology, there is a definite need for them to be aware of this potential problem.  Awareness and prevention are the main areas that the students will be studying through this TechQuest.

Addressing the Issue

This issue will first be addressed by utilizing SurveyMonkey to give the students a quiz to determine how familiar they are with cyberbullying.  This quiz will serve as a baseline for the lesson - providing the instructor with a glimpse at the students' prior knowledge.

Along with this, Officer Whiteford will be asked to speak to the class.  He is the local Sherriff department's cyber-crimes detective.  He has worked with my building principal in the past, and having such a figure present at the beginning of the lesson will serve to create a stronger connection between the student and the seriousness of the topic.  

Upon completion of Officer Whiteford's visit, the students will research (via several sites) facts on cyberbullies.  Together with a partner, the students will create a list 20 facts related to the topic.  These facts will be created using Google Docs, and will serve as an information bank for their upcoming project. 

The quiz, Sherriff's presentation, and the fact-document will be implemented during this course.

Internet sources, such as video of the trial for the Megan Meier hoax, and various fact sheets and prevention sources will serve as the basis for the students' research.  Given below are several of the sites that students will use:

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222104939.htm - An article on cyberbullying.
• http://www.cyberbullying.us/Bullying_and_Cyberbullying_Laws_20100701.pdf - A chart displaying which states have taken action against cyberbullying.  Also goes into details of what those actions entail.
• http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/girls-teen-suicide-calls-attention-cyberbullying/story?id=9685026 - Article of a teen suicide after reportedly being bullied online.

There have been many WebQuests that are developed around this title.  The projects offered by these WebQuests vary from producing an informative video to studying and review the school's policies.

• http://www.marysville.k12.oh.us/creekview/Terzis/Cyberbullying/introduction.htm - WebQuest focusing on producing an informative video. 
• https://www.msu.edu/~mannandr/webquest/task.html - WebQuest focusing on the creation of a slide show to present to the school board to review the district's policies on cyberbullying.

I would like to have the students create a brochure that can be displayed in the offices of the different buildings in our district.  The students will also create a slideshow that will be used to present the topic and promote awareness in younger grades (primarily 6th and 7th grade classes).  This part of the project will be completed and reviewed after CEP 812 has ended.

Four Common Places of Education

The instructor for this will be the teacher of an 8th grade Computer Applications course.  Prior to this lesson beginning, communication with the parents will be established.  This will serve to hopefully make a connection at home about the topic.  During the lesson, scaffolding will be used.  The students will be guided with help at first, but as they become familiar with the task and assignment, they will become independent as they move toward the final project.  The instructor will be there as a coach to help if trouble arises.

The learner will be an 8th grade student.  The technology involved is within the parameters of the students.  The students will be motivated to produce a quality as they will be presenting their projects to other classes.  

The subject matter will revolve around cyberbullying and promoting an awareness of the topic.  The students will read several articles involving students (of their age) that were bullied in this manner.  Through the readings, they will also develop an idea of common misconceptions and facts about cyberbullies.

The setting will primarily be at the middle school computer lab.  Once the final project is completed, that setting will branch out to other classes in the middle school; here, the students will teach the younger classes.  Communication with the parents will be made to inform them of the upcoming lesson.  It is hoped that the student will share with the parent what they have accomplished during this TechQuest.