Shedding Light on Cyberbullying

Introduction

Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.  According to bullyingstatistics.org, around half of teens have been the victims of cyber bullying.  In this webquest you will be working in groups to better understand and navigate cyberbullying.  First, go to this like to develop your understaning of what cyberbullying is (https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/).  One of the things so difficult about cyberbullying is the range.  Sometimes the bullying is a one time small incident, but sometimes it spirals completely out of control.  Each group will be given a case and must evaluate the people involved, the technology used, the result, and the aftermath.  

To get you started, here is a video to help you understand what cyberbullying is:

Here is an example of a real cyberbullying incident

For statistics on cyberbullying look here:

Task

You and your group will be examining and evaluating a case of cyberbullying.  

For each case you will identify:

  1. The people involved
  2. A summary of the incident
  3. The technology used
  4. What happened to the victim
  5. What happened as a result

After you are done each group memeber is required to write a one page reflection on the project.

Include in your reflection:

  1. Something that surprised you
  2. Something your learned
  3. A way that you can shed light on cyberbullying

Process

Each group can pick between the following cases (if there is a different case, you may ask the teacher to get permission to use it).

  1. Ryan Halligan
  2. Megan Meier
  3. Jessica Logan
  4. Hope Sitwell
  5. Tyler Clementi
  6. Amanda Todd
  7. Rebecca Sedwick

Your presentations should be creative.  Include pictures, but make sure they are school appropriate.  This project deals with very sensitive issues.  Make sure your content is respectful of your fellow classmates as well as the people involved in all of these cases.

Here is a resource to help you think about what things can be done to help with cyberbullying:

http://cyberbullying.org/memes

Evaluation

Your projects will be graded based on the content you find.  You must cite your sources and you must use valid sources as well.  You will get points based on:

  1. Content
Topic 0-1 Points 2-3 Points 4-5 Points
Individuals Involved Neither side identified, insufficient detail Both sides identified, but not enough detail Both sides Identified and sufficient back stories 
Summary of Incident Insufficient detail describing what happened in the case of cyberbullying Some detail explaining cyberbullying case Full report of incident including begining, middle and end of cyberbulling case.
Identify Technology Technology used in cyberbullying case was not identified. Technology used in cyberbullying case was identified, but not elaborated on. Technology used in cyberbullying case was identified and gave elaborated on how it was used.
What happened? Result of cyberbullying case was not mentioned or gave very little detail. Result of cyberbullying case was mentioned but did not give sufficient detail to what happened to victim and perpetrator  Result of cyberbullying case was elaborated on and described in sufficient detail for victim and perpetrator
What happened as a result of case? No evidence of identifying any major changes in legislation, charities, or family negotiations. Some evidence of identifying any major changes in legislation, charities, or family negotiations. Excellent evidence of identifying any major changes in legislation, charities, or family negotiations.
 Conclusion Points 0-5 Points 6-10 Points 11-15 Points
Conclusion Insignificant detail provided in conclusion.  Student did not identify ways in which the project furthered their understanding of cyberbullying. Some detail provided in conclusions.  Student may have identified some ways where their understanding of cyberbullying was furthered, but lacked in significant detail. Sufficient or excellent detail in conclusions.  Student identified ways in which the project furthered their understanding of cyberbullying and identified ways in which they can shed light on cyberbullying themselves.

Conclusion

This is a 40 point project.  You MUST provide a works cited at the end of your presentation.  PLEASE keep in mind that this is an extremely sensitive topic.  Some students may have direct experience with cyberbullying that they may or may not want to talk about.  Imagine yourself in a victim's shoes as you are developing your project.  What do you think will be the best ways to shed light on cyberbullying.

Teacher Page

Grade Level: 10-12

Teacher Reccomendations:  This project should only be given to those that can take it seriously.  The project is useful because it has kids develop internet search skills for a worhty cause that is readily available to them.  Teachers should make sure consequences for not doing the project as expected are clear and appropriate for students.

Technology Standards:

Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in teams locally and globally.