Violence in Schools:

Identification, Prevention & Intervention Strategies©

 

  Instructor Name:        Dr. Michael Sedler

Phone:                        509-891-7219

Office Hours:             8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday - Friday

Email:                         michaels@virtualeduc.com

 Address:                     Virtual Education Software

                                   16201 E Indiana Ave, Suite 1450

                                   Spokane, WA 99216

Technical Support:     support@virtualeduc.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction

Welcome to Violence in Schools, an interactive computer-based instruction course, designed to give you a better understanding of school violence and increase your interventions strategies.  Violence in Schools provides a foundational understanding of violence and the motivational purposes behind aggression.  The correlation with and impact of the media, community and family upon violence will be investigated.  The course teaches identification and intervention approaches for working with out-of-control behaviors.  In addition, each student will receive information on available national resources for both parents and teachers.  This course will help each person to increase his or her understanding of violence, the motivations behind the use of violence and specific strategies to minimize the occurrence of violence in a school and community. 

 

This computer-based instruction course is a self-supporting program that provides instruction, structured practice, and evaluation all on your home or school computer.  Technical support information can be found, in the Help section of your course.

 

Course Materials

Title: Violence in Schools: Identification, Prevention & Intervention Strategies (software package)

Author:   Dr. Michael Sedler

Publisher: Virtual Education Software, inc. © 2000, Revised 2004

 

 

Academic Integrity Statement

The structure and format of most distance-learning courses presume a high level of personal and academic integrity in completion and submission of coursework. Individuals enrolled in a CBI distance-learning course are expected to adhere to the following standards of academic conduct.

 

Academic Work

Academic work submitted by the individual (such as papers, assignments, reports, tests) shall be the student’s own work or appropriately attributed, in part or in whole, to its correct source. Submission of commercially prepared (or group prepared) materials as if they are one’s own work is unacceptable.

 

Aiding Honesty in Others

 The individual will encourage honesty in others by refraining from providing materials or information to another person with knowledge that these materials or information will be used improperly.

 

Violations of these academic standards will result in the assignment of a failing grade and subsequent loss of credit for the course.

 

Level of Application

This course is designed to be an informational course with application to work and work-related settings.  The intervention strategies presented in this course may be generalized to all students (pre-kindergarten through 12th grade) and adults.  While an intervention may be geared toward a specific age population, with minimal modifications an educator should be able to adapt the strategy for his or her students.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Course Objectives

·         To identify factors contributing to violent behaviors

·         To develop strategies to address school/community violence

·         To effectively intervene, provide safety and minimize violent actions

·         To develop a “school violence” assessment with specific intervention strategies

·         To assess the climate of the classroom and school, making the necessary adjustments to increase safety

·         To address preventative methods within the school system for students

·         To write out an action plan for school safety

·         To complete a formal written evaluation of the school’s violence plan after implementation

 

Course Description

Anger management strategies have become an important topic in schools, businesses, homes and communities.  Our society is inundated with classes, books and counseling programs that explain various ways to “manage anger.”  Despite our best attempts, aggression and violence are still on the rise.  We regularly hear and read from various media sources how dangerous our society has become, especially our youth population.  This class will focus on developing new ways of handling violence without getting involved in the typical power struggles.  During this course, each person will learn specific strategies and practical ideas to aid in the reduction of school violence.  Key intervention ideas for developing a civil climate within each school will be presented, and identification and recognition of potential violence will be discussed.  Included in this approach will be an emphasis on safety for students and educators.  This course is not attempting to be a “cure all” or “fix it” approach, but will aid educators in their ability to develop a safer environment in a school and community.  In addition, it will help each person feel more qualified and capable of handling emerging violent behaviors within a school, home or community setting.

 

The course is divided into four chapters.  The intent of this course is to help each student “walk” through the process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in the arena of violence.  There are numerous worksheets that all students will be asked to complete for their own knowledge base.  Throughout the course, role-play situations will be presented to help each person recognize violent tendencies prior to their development into violent behaviors.  The chapters are sequential and should be completed in the order in which they are presented.  At the conclusion of each chapter, the student will be asked to complete an examination covering the material.  This type of approach will help all students gain a better understanding of what they have learned as they proceed through the course.

 

Student Expectations 

As a student you will be expected to:

·         Complete all assignments and activities for the course Violence in Schools.

·         Complete the chapter exam on Assessment with 70% accuracy or better.

·         Complete the chapter exam on Planning with 70% accuracy or better.

·         Complete the chapter exam on Implementation with 70% accuracy or better.

·         Complete the chapter exam on Evaluation with 70% accuracy or better.

·         Complete all course journal article and essay writing assignments with the minimum word count shown for each writing assignment.

·         Complete a course evaluation form at the end of the course.

 

Chapter 1: Assessment                                                                                                                                  

1.      Introduction

2.      Statistics

3.      Types

4.      Why Escalating Violence, Part I

5.      Why Escalating Violence, Part II

6.      Media

7.      Reasons

8.      Characteristics

9.      Warning Signs

10.  Self-Awareness Activity

11.  Learned vs. Instinctive

12.  Gang Assessment Tools

13.  Anger/Aggression Activity

14.  Possible Motives

 

Chapter 2:  Planning

1.      Behavior Response

2.      How to Respond

3.      Avoiding Power Struggles

4.      Tips

5.      Controlling Anxiety

6.      Control and Direct Activity

 

Chapter 3: Implementation

1.      Action Steps for Students

2.      Action Steps for Teachers

3.      Action Steps for Parents

4.      Actions Steps for Schools

5.      Patterns of Aggression

6.      Preventing Behavior

7.      Making Peace

8.      Decision Making Activity

9.      Confrontation Communication

10.  Changing Behavior

11.  Prevention Strategies

12.  Conflict Negotiation

13.  Crisis Planning Guidelines

14.  Possible Interventions

15.  Anger:  It Won’t Work Here

 

Chapter 4: Evaluation

1.      Case Study

2.      Identifying the Threatened

3.      Watch your Language

4.      Resources

 

Examinations

At the end of each course chapter, you will be expected to complete an examination designed to assess your knowledge. You may take these exams a total of three times.  Your last score will save, not the highest score.  After your third attempt, each examination will lock and not allow further access.  The average from your exam scores will be printed on your certificate.  However, this is not your final grade since your required writing assignments have not been reviewed.  Exceptionally written or poorly written required writing assignments, or violation of the academic integrity policy in the course syllabus, will affect your grade.  As this is a self-paced computerized instruction program, you may review course information as often as necessary. You will not be able to exit any examinations until you have answered all questions. If you try to exit the exam before you complete all questions, your information will be lost. You are expected to complete the entire exam in one sitting.


Writing Assignments

This course has two required writing components.

 

To save your essays:

 

When you select the question or article you wish to write on, simple text or text edit will

automatically be launched. When you are finished, simply click SAVE. 

You must SAVE before you write another essay or move on to another part of the course.

 

1)       Essay Requirement:  Critical Thinking Questions

There is a Critical Thinking Question for each chapter. You will do research on the question and write a brief essay relating it to the course content (and your personal experiences when possible).  To view the questions, click on REQUIRED ESSAY and choose the Critical Thinking Question that you would like to complete; this will bring up a screen where you may enter your essay.  You must write a minimum of 500 words per essay. 

You must SAVE before you write another essay or move on to another part of the course.

 

2) Essay Requirement:  Journal Articles

This task requires you to write a review of three journal articles of your choice on a topic related to this course.  You may choose your topic by entering the Key Words (click on the Key Words button) into a search engine of your choice (Google, Dogpile, Yahoo, etc.). Choose three relevant articles and write a 200-word review of each. You may also access the ERIC system and choose a related topic from a journal listed in that system.  Or you can access www.scholar.google.com or www.findarticles.com .Write a critical summary of the information given in each article, explaining how the information relates to, supports, or refutes information given in this course. Conclude your paper with your thoughts and impressions. (200 words per journal article minimum, 400 words maximum.) Be sure to provide the journal name, volume, date, and any other critical information to allow the instructor to access and review that article.

 

To write your essays, click on REQUIRED ESSAY and choose the Journal Article that you would like to complete; this will bring up a screen where you can write your review. When you are ready to stop, click SAVE.  You may go back at any point to edit your essays.  For more information on the features of this assignment, please consult the HELP menu.

You must SAVE before you write another essay or move on to another part of the course.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Instructor Description

Dr. Michael Sedler has presented seminars and classes throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada.  Dr. Sedler has worked as an administrator, behavior specialist, teacher and social worker within the public school setting.  Dr. Sedler is an adjunct professor for two universities in the state of Washington and has been a professor for a college in Georgia.  He has been a consultant for governmental agencies and worked for a state correctional facility for juveniles and for a community mental health agency.  His 15 years of public education experience combined with business experience increases his knowledge base for course delivery. He has presented in schools, hospitals, residential settings and for businesses in the public and private sectors. 

 

Contacting the Instructor

You may contact the instructor by emailing Dr. Sedler at michaels@virtualeduc.com or by calling him at 509-891-7219, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST. Phone messages will be answered within 24 hours. Phone conferences will be limited to ten minutes per student, per day, given that this is a self-paced instructional program. Please do not contact the instructor about technical problems, course glitches, or other issues that involve the operation of the course.

 

Technical Questions

If you have questions or problems related to the operation of this course, please try everything twice. If the problem persists please check our support pages for FAQs and known issues at www.virtualeduc.com and also the Help section of your course.

If you need personal assistance then email support@virtualeduc.com or call (509) 891-7219.  When contacting technical support, please know your course version number (it is located at the bottom left side of the Welcome Screen) and your operating system, and be seated in front of the computer at the time of your call. 

                                                               

Minimum Computer Requirements

Please refer to VESi’s website: www.virtualeduc.com or contact VESi if you have further questions about the compatibility of your operating system.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Refer to the addendum regarding Grading Criteria, Course Completion Information, Items to be Submitted, and how to submit your completed information.

Bibliography (Suggested Readings)

 

Benbenishty, Rami, & Astor, Ron Avi. (2005). School Violence in Context. New York: Oxford University Press. (Discussion of school violence in Middle Eastern countries).

 

Burstyn, Joan. (2006). Preventing Violence in Schools. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (In-depth look at school violence programs).

 

Conoley, Jane, & Goldstein, Arnold. (2004). School Violence Intervention. New York: The Guilford Press. (Analysis of school violence and proactive interventions).

 

Delara, Ellen, & Garbarino, James. (2003). And Words Can Hurt Forever. New York: Free Press. (Protect adolescents from bullying, harassment, and violence).

 

Dorn, Greg, Shepard, Sonayia, & Wong, Marleen. (2004). Jane’s Safe School Planning Guide for All Hazards. Jane’s Information Group. (A general planning guide to various problems, disasters, and school concerns).

 

Fishbaugh, M. S. (Ed.). (2002). Ensuring Safe School Environments.  Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.  (Research findings and information on school violence).

 

Gerler, E. (Ed.). (2004). Handbook of School Violence.  Haworth Press, 2004.  (General presentation of interventions and strategies).

 

Jimerson, S., & Finley, M. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of School Violence and School Safety. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (A presentation on the foundations, assessment, and prevention of violence).

 

Jones, Tony L. (2001). Springfield, IL: C.C. Thomas Publishing. (Discusses security issues and needs in schools).

 

Sexton-Radek, Kathy. (2004). Violence in Schools. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2004. (Academic explanation of the history and treatment of violence in schools).

 

Spina, Stephanie. (2006). School Violence: Fears vs. Facts.  Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (Case studies used to illustrate assessment and interventions).

 

Thomas, R. Murray. (2006). Violence in American Schools.  Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. (Discusses escalation in violence, motivation, and interventions).

 

Updated 1/17/10 JN