What is Open Pedagogy?
Open pedagogy is a teaching method that encourages students to co-create knowledge rather than just listening to the teacher. It uses open educational resources (OER) such as free textbooks or shared tools[1] . Therefore, students can write blogs, make projects, or share their work publicly. This fit what we had talked about- constructivism, where students learn by doing, thinking, and reflecting, not just memorizing facts.
Why Does It Fit the Cyberbullying Topic?
Our topic is cyberbullying on mental health via social media. Recently, many teens have faced verbal abuse, exclusion, or harassment on social platforms, which makes them feel sad or scared[2]. Therefore, only showing them facts is not enough; open pedagogy also encourages them to take action. To be more specific, they can create an anti-bullying poster, write tips for staying safe online, or share their thoughts in a blog or video[3].
How to Design the Course?
In terms of course design, I would move away from traditional testing and focus on authentic tasks. For example, I will ask students to design a social media campaign that can promote positive digital behavior. This approach supports the constructivist view that learners construct new knowledge by engaging with real problems and adjusting their thinking. In addition, I would also include short educational videos, such as “Being a Good Digital Citizen“[4] to help students understand how to browse online responsibly.
What Are the Challenges?
Of course, there are challenges. Some students may not feel comfortable sharing experiences about mental health publicly. To deal with this, I would offer options for anonymous submissions or group projects to create a safer and more supportive environment.
In conclusion, open pedagogy provides students with another way to deal with cyberbullying. Unlike traditional learning methods, it enables them to control their learning, cultivate empathy, and create resources that can help others. For those young people who have grown up in the digital world, this approach not only empowers them but also has practical significance, and for me, a learning designer, it helps me learn to design better courses.
Reference：
[1] What is open pedagogy. Program for Open Scholarship and Education. (n.d.). https://pose.open.ubc.ca/open-education/open-pedagogy/defining-open-pedagogy/
[2] Giumetti, G. W., & Kowalski, R. M. (2022). Cyberbullying via social media and well-being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45, 101314.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101314
[3] AntiBullyingPro. (n.d.-a). Anti-Bullying Resources – Woodlands School . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbDaFoGiol8
[4] LearnFree. (n.d.-a). Being a Good Digital Citizen. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbDaFoGiol8https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv