Understanding Cyberbullying : Virtual vs. Physical Worlds - Lesson

Lesson Plan

Level: Grades 7 and 8

Duration: One hour per activity

Author: Emmanuelle Erny-Newton, Media Education Specialist, MediaSmarts

Overview

In this three-hour lesson, students explore the concept of cyberbullying and learn how the attributes associated with online communication may fuel inappropriate or bullying behaviour. Connections between other contributing factors to bullying-online and offline-are also reinforced as students develop an understanding of the role played by bystanders and the ways in which our own responses may fuel or stop this kind of behaviour. As a class, students will establish a class “code of (N)ethics” for online conduct.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

• understanding of how online communication differs from face-to-face conversation
• awareness of how the distinct attributes of online communication may contribute to inappropriate or bullying behaviour
• recognition of cyberbullying behaviour
• understanding of the crucial role played by bystanders, including themselves, in fuelling or stopping bullying behaviour-online and offline
• awareness of the impact of cyberbullying on targeted individuals
• knowledge of appropriate action to take when cyberbullying occurs
• awareness of rules for “good Netizenship”

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) are available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.

Lesson Kit:

Lesson_Understanding_Cyberbullying_Virtual_Physical_Worlds.pdf