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Course Description
Bullies strike terror in the hearts of their victims every day in classrooms throughout our nation. Recent statistics from the Bureau of Justice: (School Crime and Safety), show that 1 child in 4 is bullied and 1 in 5 admits to actually carrying out an act of bullying on their intended victims. We talk about safe schools, but for many of our students, school is no such thing. For some students bullying is a fact of life because they are attacked physically, verbally or emotionally every single school day. The effects of bullying harm not only the victim and the bully but can create a school climate where fear and anxiety prevent opportunities for learning and achieving for all students. Teachers will learn to identify bullying behaviors, learn strategies to meet the underlying needs of the bully to prevent bullying behaviors, learn how to effectively intervene with victim(s) and learn strategies for teaching all students skills that they can use when faced with conflict. This course will help teachers create a classroom climate where all students are free to learn without fear.
This online course consists of six modules taught over a six week period. Each module consists of a reading and writing assignment, as well as an application assignment. Participants will post assignments weekly and dialogue with colleagues regarding assignments and experiences. They will also communicate personally each week with the instructor via e-mail. The content of the course will be supplemented with links to resources providing current research. Each module requires approximately five hours to complete.
At the completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion recommending 30 inservice points or professional development credits be awarded by the participant's school district. It is up to participants to get prior approval from their district to take this course for professional development credit.
Skills, Hardware, and Software Requirements
Students are expected to have a very basic knowledge of how to use an Internet browser such as Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or America Online (AOL). Students must be familiar with e-mail and have an active e-mail account and Internet access. In addition, students must possess basic word processing skills.
Course Readings
The required textbook for this course is The Bully Free Classroom by Allan L. Beane. The textbook and course materials will be provided for all students. In addition, online readings will be assigned during the course to enhance learning. These readings will be presented as annotated Web sites within the course content.
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction and Overview
Objectives: Who wants to be a bully? Participants will test their knowledge of bullying facts and myths, form a definition of bullying, learn to recognize incidences of bullying and become familiar with the course navigation system.
Content:
Module 2: Consequences of Bullying and Characteristics of the Bully and Victim
Objectives: Participants will become aware of both the short and long-term consequences of ignoring bullying. They will also discover what makes bullies tick and why victims get singled out by the bully.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read "Helping Victims," pages 77-89, and "Helping Bullies," pages 116-132 in the textbook. Students will identify a bully and a victim in ther class and compare them with the warning signs profiles (pages 79-80 and 120-121). Students will post their thoughts about the readings and dialogue with other participants.
Module 3: How Collusion Affects Bullying
Objectives: Students will define and understand the nature of collusion and its relationship in the bullying cycle.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read a narrative posted online. Students will share with participants their view of collusion, how it should and does affect the classroom environment. Students will read and comment on their colleagues' postings.
Module 4: Creating a Safe Classroom Environment
Objectives: Participants will learn strategies for creating a classroom environment where everyone feels safe, accepted and contributing members of the classroom.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read "Creating a Positive Classroom," pages15-75, in the textbook. Students will implement at least five of the ideas from this chapter in their classroom. Students will post the outcomes of the strategies they chose in the Forum. Students will read and comment on their colleagues' postings.
Module 5: Creating a Safe School Environment
Objectives: Participants will learn the core elements of a comprehensive school-wide approach to bullying.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will read "Helping Bullies," pages 132-143, in the textbook. Students will develop a school-wide plan for the prevention of bullying appropriate for their school.
Module 6: Strategies for Parents of Bullies/Victims and Additional Resources
Objectives: Students will address approaches that can be shared with parents who are dealing with a child who is being bullied or who is a bully; identify additional resources available to participants.
Content:
Culminating Assignment: Students will investigate at least two Web sites and one trade book. Students will exchange observations with colleagues in the Forum concerning the effectiveness of these materials. Students will develop a Tips list of helpful ideas for parents and post the list in the Forum. Students will complete the course evaluation.
Grading Criteria
This course is offered on a pass/fail basis. Students are expected to complete each assignment by the specified due date. Students are expected to participate in each Forum and dialogue with their colleagues. Students that meet these requirements will pass this course.
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