The Arthur Interactive Media Study: Initial Findings From a Cross-Age Peer Mentoring and Digital Media-Based Character Development Program

Abstract

In the midst of increasing emphasis on the inclusion of character education in both school and out-of-school time programs, digital technologies have become ubiquitous in these settings. Based on the potential of these technologies to enhance children's character development, the Arthur Interactive Media (AIM) study investigated if one specific unit or set of digital media-based activities engaged youth in discussions about character. First and second grade students were paired with fourth and fifth grade students, respectively, while engaging with an online interactive graphic novel (IGN) about a character-relevant story based on the Arthur cartoon series. Teachers (n = 8) completed surveys about the AIM Unit, and conversations between cross-age peer dyads (n = 27 dyads) during their engagement with the IGN were analyzed. Results indicated that teachers were very satisfied with the materials and reported that children were very engaged throughout. Analyses of children's conversations indicated that children participated in character-relevant conversations involving humility, forgiveness, and future-mindedness while engaging with the IGN.

Exploring First-Person Perspectives in Designing a Role-Playing VR Simulation for Bullying Prevention: A Focus Group Study

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Stereotypes vs. Strategies for Digital Media Artists: The Case for Culturally Relevant Media Production

“…Culturally conscious content disrupts media's perpetuation of social stereotypes by attempting to portray individuals of all ethnicities, races, genders, and other social groups accurately and respectfully. Media can combat social Toward a Transformative Justice Teacher Education Agenda stereotypes and biases by portraying scenarios from multiple perspectives (Bowers et al, 2015). Doing so helps audiences understand that cultures, groups, and/or individuals who experience the same phenomenon can still result in each person interpreting the experience differently.…”

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“…Content produced with this objective should aim to be accurate and respectful. Some media can combat media stereotypes by viewing a scenario from multiple sociocultural and/or individual perspectives (Bowers et al, 2015). Doing so may help the audience understand that an accurate, honest, and respectful portrayal of multiple cultures experiencing the same phenomenon can often mean different things to each group.…”