Character & Citizenship
Reality of Digital Drama
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- I will reflect on my own impressions of digital drama.
- I will compare underlying messages about drama on reality TV with "real world" digital drama among young teens.
- I will think critically about the gender stereotypes associated with drama.
What is Digital Drama?
Digital drama describes the everyday tiffs and disputes that occur between friends or acquaintances online or via text. For example, a teen may post a comment about someone else online knowing that people will see it, that friends may chime in, and that people will talk about it.
Unlike cyberbullying, which involves repeated digital harassment towards someone, drama is broader and more nuanced. That being said, teens sometimes use the term drama to distance themselves from emotionally difficult behavior. Digital drama can still feel very real to students, lead to hurt feelings, and even damage friendships. In some cases, digital drama can escalate into an offline fight – either verbal or physical.
Teacher and Class Discussion
- What does drama mean to you as a student?
- Do you feel that people enjoy online drama? Why or Why not?
VIDEO #1 ACTIVITY
- Student 1 types the notes for generalizations of girls.
- Student 2 types the notes for generalizations of boys.
- Student 3 gathers all the notes and types them into the Padlet representing your IMPtime.
Student 3:
- Click the link below for the padlet.
- Click on the PLUS sign in the lower right corner of the board.
- For the TITLE, LIST YOUR TEACHER'S FIRST INITIAL AND LAST NAME
- Type your notes in the note section of the Padlet square.
VIDEO #2 ACTIVITY
Watch the video "The Real Housewives Series Clips". Think about what you hear from the video reflecting generalizations about the way girls and boys act. Post your thoughts in the Google Form provided below.
CLASS DISCUSSION
- Do you watch reality television shows?
- How “real” do you think reality TV drama actually is?
- Can you think of examples from your own lives where you and your friends have dealt with conflict in nondramatic ways?
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What factors do you think shape the way girls and boys act online? Can online drama encourage certain stereotypes about gender?
The Heart of the Red Imp
How can the principles of the Heart of a Red Imp help students navigate school drama?
- Honorable
- Engaged
- Accountable
- Responsible
- Tolerant