This Week You Will Begin A Research Assignment That You Will Complete And Submit

This week, you will begin a research assignment that you will complete and submit in Week 6. Like the assignment you completed in Week 4, this Application will give you the opportunity to explore the connections that exist between trends and issues that affect adolescents.

To begin this assignment, choose one specific trend or issue relating to adolescent health OR adolescent family/peer relationships. It can be one that you studied in this course or it can be another issue or trend of interest to you. Using the Walden Library and/or Internet/print resources, locate a recent article or research study that draws a connection between your chosen trend/issue and the larger world as it affects adolescents, specifically technology/media influences (e.g. media use, cyberbullying, etc.) or issues related to the transition to adulthood. (Note: You may want to look ahead to next week’s Learning Resources for ideas regarding the transition to adulthood.)

After you have chosen the article, write a 3- to 4-page summary and analysis of the article that includes responses to the following questions:

• What specific connection(s) does the article draw between your chosen health or relationship trend/issue and a trend/issue related to the larger world? Provide a brief summary.
• Do these findings surprise you or confirm what you already suspected? Explain.
• What are the implications of these findings for practice in schools, homes, youth programs, etc.? Identify and describe at least two specific implications, including at least one for professionals who work with adolescents in a setting of your choice.
• Do you think further research is needed? If so, why, and what kind? If not, why not?

By Day 7

This assignment is due Sunday of Week 6.

Required Readings to be use

Brown, B., & Marin, P. (2009). Adolescents and electronic media: Growing up plugged in. Retrieved from http://www.childtrends.org/?publications=adolescents-and-electronic-media Brown, B., & Marin, P. (2009). Adolescents and electronic media: Growing up plugged in. Retrieved from http://www.childtrends.org/?publications=adolescents-and-electronic-media   You also may access this reading by clicking here. (PDF) © 2009 Child Trends. Reprinted with permission.   This research brief provides a summary of findings regarding the influence of electronic media on the development of young people. Focus on how electronic media influences the health, safety, social development, and education of adolescents, as well as how and how often teens typically use electronic media. Richtel, M. (2010, November 21). Growing up digital, wired for distraction. New York Times, p. A1.Note: Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database.   In this article, the author reports on how the omnipresence of digital media can negatively affect teens’ abilities to focus for long periods of time. Focus on the positive impacts technology can have in adolescents’ lives, as well as unforeseen drawbacks. Wallis, C. (2006). The multitasking generation. Time, 167(13), 48–56.Note: Retrieved from the Military and Government Collection database.   In this article, the author explores the effects of multitasking on brain function and family relationships of adolescents. Focus on how technology can change the way teens think and interact with others. Barker, O. (2006, May 30). Technology leaves teens speechless. USA Today, p. D1.Note: Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database.   In this article, the article reports on how texting has changed the way teens communicate. Focus on potential benefits and drawbacks of the texting trend among adolescents. Proudfoot, S. (2011, February 8). Social climbing fuels teen bullying. The Vancouver Sun, p. B6.Note: Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database.   In this article, the author reports on the findings of a recent study on social aggression and bullying among adolescents. Focus on what the study by Robert Fairs and Diane Felmlee concluded about the social patterns of teens. Hoff, D. L., & Mitchell, S. M. (2008). Cyberbullying: Causes, effects, and remedies. Journal of Educational Administration, 47(5), 652–665Note: Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database.   In this article, the authors examine what cyberbullying among adolescents typically entails, the consequences of cyberbullying, and strategies for combating cyberbullying. Focus on the most common causes of cyberbullying, psychological and social effects, and methods for preventing it. Adams, C. (2010). Cyberbullying. Instructor, 120(2), 44–49.Note: Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.   In this article, the author discusses how professionals can recognize and respond to cyberbullying incidents among the adolescents with whom they work. Focus on signs of cyberbullying and guidelines for responding to cyberbullying incidents effectively. Mustacchi, J. (2009). R U safe? Educational Leadership, 66(6), 78–82.Note: Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database   In this article, the author describes dangers that digital media can pose to adolescents. Focus on safety and social risks teens incur when using digital media, as well as how teens can help other teens avoid becoming victims of cyberabuse. Hoffman, J. (2010, December 4). As bullies go digital, parents play catch-up. New York Times, p. A1.Note: Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database.   In this article, the author examines the complications that cyberbullying can present for parents and school leaders. Focus on how and why parents and school leaders struggle to respond effectively to cyberbullying incidents. Hoffman, J. (2010, June 27). Online bullies pull schools into the fray. New York Times, p. A1.Note: Retrieved from the ProQuest Central database.   In this article, the author examines the legal ambiguity that surrounds cyberbullying incidents among teens. Focus on arguments for and against treating cyberbullying as a crime. 

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Technology and adolescence [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu