The Use of a Multimedia Webquest in Increasing Middle-School Students’ Understandings of Cyberbullying
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations Spring April 2011 Fighting Fire With Fire: The Use of A Multimedia WebQuest in Increasing Middle-School Students’ Understandings of Cyberbullying Elizabeth Ann Brewer Loyola Marymount University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd Part of the Education Commons Recommended Citation Brewer, Elizabeth Ann, "Fighting Fire With Fire: The Use of A Multimedia WebQuest in Increasing Middle- School Students’ Understandings of Cyberbullying" (2011). LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations. 266. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/266 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY Fighting Fire With Fire: The Use of A Multimedia WebQuest in Increasing Middle- School Students’ Understandings of Cyberbullying by Elizabeth A. Brewer A dissertation presented to the Faculty of the School of Education, Loyola Marymount University, in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Education 2011 Loyola Marymount University School of Education Los Angeles, CA 90045 This dissertation written by Elizabeth Brewer, under the direction of the Dissertation Committee, is approved and accepted by all committee members, in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is the product of a phenomenal support system that sustains me personally and professionally. It is with immeasurable gratitude, and great humility that I offer special thanks to: Dr. Edmundo Litton, for your vision, faith, support, guidance, and belief in me. You are both the law and the order in this document and I thank you. Dr. Marta Baltodano, because without you, I would not challenge myself to be better, work harder, and dive deeper. Dr. Karie Huchting, for your unending professional help and personal support. I feel honored to be in your sphere and am grateful to you. The participants in this study and the administration of the district – your encouragement helped change the face of cyberbullying research. Drs. Jill Bickett and Shane Martin, whose leadership and guidance provide structure to the doctoral program and help send forth transformational leaders. My family, especially Kim and Jim, who instilled in me a sense of self-confidence and who have supported each step of this journey with love and kindness. Dr. Casandra Harper, who acted not only as a sounding board, but as a life raft, offering encouragement and advice when I needed it most. My friends, especially the BethRicks, who never tired of listening to me talk about the process, the data, the trials and the tribulations and still managed to love me. Jennifer Keany, who inspires me every single day to be the best version of myself that I can be. Your love and support humble me and I thank God daily for you. iii DEDICATION I dedicate this work and its achievement to my Mom and Dad, Elaine and Jim Brewer. My Mom’s beauty, intelligence, humor, kindness, spunk, and drive are the ideals I strive for and without her grace and presence, this achievement would not have been possible. My Dad is the most incredible man I know. His hard work, dedication, willingness to go without, and professional and personal successes have led me to this point and I thank him for everything. We love you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................... iii DEDICATION................................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ x ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ..................................................... 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................. 6 A Cry for Social Justice .................................................................................................... 10 Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 12 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................... 13 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................. 15 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................... 18 Social and Cognitive Constructivism ...................................................................... 19 Technology and Constructivism .............................................................................. 20 Limitations of Constructivism ................................................................................. 22 Research Design and Methodology .................................................................................. 23 Assumptions ...................................................................................................................... 25 Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 25 Delimitations ..................................................................................................................... 27 Definitions of Terms ......................................................................................................... 28 Organization of the Study ................................................................................................. 32 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE..................................................... 34 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter Design.................................................................................................................. 35 Traditional Bullying .......................................................................................................... 36 Definition of Bullying .............................................................................................. 37 Gender’s Role in Bullying ....................................................................................... 39 The Frequency of Bullying ...................................................................................... 41 Bullying Interventions, Laws, and Policies ............................................................. 44 The Rules-Sanction Approach .......................................................................... 45 The Problem-Solving Approach ........................................................................ 47 The Shared Concern Method (SCm) .......................................................... 49 The No Blame Approach (NBa) ................................................................ 50 Cyberbullying ................................................................................................................... 53 Definition of Cyberbullying..................................................................................... 53 v Unique Characteristics of Cyberbullying .......................................................... 56 The Act of Cyberbullying ................................................................................. 59 Behaviors ................................................................................................... 59 Communication Modalities ........................................................................ 64 Direct and Indirect Cyberbullying ..................................................................... 68 The Frequency of Cyberbullying ............................................................................. 69 The Role of Gender in Cyberbullying ..................................................................... 72 Cyberbullying Laws, Policies, and Interventions .................................................... 73 Tort Law ............................................................................................................ 73 Defamation ................................................................................................. 74 Negligence ................................................................................................. 75 Constitutional Considerations ........................................................................... 76 Legislation and School Policies ........................................................................ 78 School Interventions .......................................................................................... 81 Gender ..............................................................................................................................