Critical Inquiry Through Participation: How Students Can Learn About Bystander Intervention by Producing Public Service Announcements

• In Event: 56.082 - Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: 56.082-2 - Diverse Research, Participation, and Voices in Digital Media and Learning

Abstract

Colleges are seeking innovative ways to address the problem of sexual assault. One promising strategy is bystander intervention. This study explored how applying media literacy education practices can help students learn about bystander intervention by creating videos about it. We compared four groups of undergraduate students (1 - not exposed to any intervention, 2 - exposed to presentations and posters, 3 - exposed to presentations, posters, a campaign event and social media interactions, and 4 - tasked to produce PSAs aligned with the campaign) using Banyard’s (2008) prosocial bystander scale and focus groups. Students who, rather than passively receiving information, produced PSA videos and/or shared/liked messages about the campaign via social media showed higher level of understanding of bystander intervention.

Authors

• Elizaveta Friesem, Central Connecticut State University

• Yonty Friesem, Columbia College Chicago

• Sarah Dodd, University of Connecticut - Storrs