Mott Hall II

Policy

Consultants

A Webquest Written by

Dean De Los Santos

"Cyberbullying"

Introduction

Instant messaging, MySpace®, AIM, mobile messaging, the list goes on. People today have access to all sorts of communication with each other. Generally this has allowed for greater contact between people and open a whole new world of contact and interaction. Most people think this is a great thing; they can contact their friends and make new contacts from all over the world. However sometimes this power to communicate is sometimes abused, and people have been hurt.

Recently school authorities in many places have been reporting that there has been an increase in “cyberbullying.” This is described as a condition where people, often students that the victim knows, use the internet to slander, threaten, or otherwise insult another student. This action can cause students to become angry, depressed and want to avoid coming to school. Stopping this problem at Mott Hall before it becomes a serious issue is a task you have been asked to undertake. You have been asked to serve on a panel to advise the principal how to best deal with this issue at Mott Hall Academy. Your advice is very important and will affect students for years to come. Good luck!

Task

1: You will be divided into groups of FOUR. Each Member of the group will have a specific task as described in the “process” section of the web quest.

2: Each member of the group will produce a FIVE page paper using the Public Policy Analyst as your guideline. However you will coordinate efforts so each member of the group has the same information and resource material

3: The paper will be typed, double spaced, using MS Word. Be sure you make all corrections before handing in your paper. You should add a cover with an eye-catching illustration

4: You will include pictures, illustrations, charts or graphs gotten from Internet research and properly placed into your report. These illustrations should prove you points on public policy and defining the social problem.

5: Your group will then give a 10 MINUTE oral presentation using the PPA model for your outline. This report will be used to give your group oral presentation. The oral presentation should be creative and use illustrations to prove your points. You will be asked to present your findings to the class and, possibly, to the school board itself. Remember, you are representing your group, who will also be part of the process. He will hear your report prior to presentation to the school administration.

I: The class will be divided into groups of four as follows:

Student # 1: Recorder & Writer-Who will keep track of materials found and will
write reports on the group’s progress.

Student # 2: Researcher- Who will look at the suggested websites and
                                      related materials seeking to complete the Public Policy
                                      Analyst and give each group member information to
                                      write their individual papers.

Student # 3: Timekeeper and Organizer- Who will keep the group on track, plan
the research effort and assist others in their tasks.

Student # 4: Presenter -Who is responsible for communicating the group’s
findings to the class

The presenter will coordinate the oral report but all members will take part in some form.

ALSO NOTE: Each member of the group will submit a five page paper.

II: Each group member will have to research the social problem of Cyberbullying. As a group, you will complete the Public Policy Analyst.

III: Remember-THINK LIKE A PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST

You will use the six-step procedure below to structure you products and complete the research

THE SIX STEP PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST

LINKS AND WORKSHEETS

STEPS #

1: Define the Social Problem of Cyberbullying

2: Find Evidence for the Problem that makes this a social problem

3: Find the Causes for the problem

4: Examine Public Policies that exist in New York and other areas of the country that try to address cyberbullying

In step 4 you will do the following: Research the present policy for internet use and communication as it is presented Mott Hall Academy guidelines for student conduct. You may interview the principal, deans or Assistant principals in charge of this area.

5: DEVELOP OWN SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM the issue of cyberbullying.

6: SELECT THE BEST SOLUTION from your group

Step # 5 & #6 will be the policies you present to the school administration so pay careful attention to detail

REMEMBER-WORK TOGETHER AND COORDINATE ALL EFFORTS

IV: You will complete ALL the worksheets, on the links for the PPA, and these will be used as resource material for your
products

V: You will be graded by the Rubrics in the “Evaluation” section of the web quest

VI: You will use the INTERNET RESOURCES given below, along with printed material to complete the worksheets and
products.

SURVEYS: Surveys of students at Mott Hall are a good way to find answers to any of the PPA six steps. Survey questions
are quite important. Your teacher will aid you in this process.

Resources

1. Software Tools?

2. Issue Related To Bullying

3. Internet Super Heroes And Bullying

4. Prevention And Intervention Of Cyberbullying

5. Www.Cyberbullying

6. Cyberbullying USA

7. Wired Kids Cyberbullying Quiz

8. Scholastic News- Are You Being Bullied

9. USA Today- Lawmaker Wants To Prevent Cyberbullying

General Websites and search engines can also be used:

Research Report:

Cyberbullying

RUBRIC

CATEGORY	4 EXCELLENT	3 SATISFACATORY	2 NEEDS IMPROVEMENT	1 UNSATISFACTORY
Organization	Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.	Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.	Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.	The information appears to be disorganized. 8)
Amount of Information	All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.	All topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each.	All topics are addressed, and most questions answered with 1 sentence about each.	One or more topics were not addressed.
Sources worksheets	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format. Uses all worksheets	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. Uses 5 worksheets	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. Uses 4 worksheets	Some sources are not accurately documented and worksheets are missing
Paragraph Construction	All paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.	Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.	Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well.	Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs.
Internet Use	Successfully uses suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Usually able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Occasionally able to use suggested internet links to find information and navigates within these sites easily without assistance.	Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or to navigate within these sites.
Diagrams & Illustrations	Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate and add to the reader's understanding of the topic.	Diagrams and illustrations are accurate and add to the reader's understanding of the topic.	Diagrams and illustrations are neat and accurate and sometimes add to the reader's understanding of the topic.	Diagrams and illustrations are not accurate OR do not add to the reader's understanding of the topic.

GRADING: “A” = 21-24 POINTS “B”= 16-20 POINTS “C”= 11-15 POINTS

“F”=BELOW 11 POINTS

Oral Presentation Rubric:

Cyberbullying

CATEGORY	4 EXCELLENT	3 VERY GOOD	2 SATISFACTORY	1 UNSATISFACTORY
Enthusiasm	Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.	Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.
Preparedness	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Speaks Clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.
Props	Student uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better.	The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.
Stays on Topic	Stays on topic all (100%) of the time.	Stays on topic most (99-90%) of the time.	Stays on topic some (89%-75%) of the time.	It was hard to tell what the topic was.
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.

GRADING: “A” = 21-24 POINTS “B”= 16-20 POINTS “C”= 11-15 POINTS

“F”=BELOW 11 POINTS

Conclusion:

You should have learned from this WebQuest that Cyberbullying is a major social problem in New York Schools and schools all over the country. You have seen the gravity of the problem for all concerned. Cyberbullying affects student academic performance as well as student socialization. You also have learned the role of the Public Policy Analyst. This person examines social problems and finds solutions that improve the lives of all in the community. Let’s hope your investigation made a difference.

Thanks for your participation. It is much appreciated!

Social Studies Standards

Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship, and Government

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments; the governmental system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional Democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.

English Language Arts Standards

Standard 4 Students will read, write, listen, and speak for social interaction.

Students will use oral and written language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people. As readers and listeners, they will use the social communications of others to enrich their understanding of people and their views.