Distance_Peer-Mentoring

As part of their coursework in Distance Communication and Performance (see course curriculum for Distance Communication and Dramatic Simulations), Performance Studies students from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor have been involved in an international, Peer-Mentoring Project. The Distance Communication and Dramatic Simulations Curriculum and the Peer-Mentoring Project have been designed to engage the attention of students at all levels around the globe and to enable them to practice techniques to positively manage peer pressure, especially as it is related to resisting substance abuse. Although this curriculum can be modified for all levels for students throughout the world, it has been aligned in the USA with TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) in Health, Science, and Technology Education.

Through the Peer-Mentoring Project, UMHB Distance Communication and Performance students have been involved
in producing on-site and distance presentations.They have produced with the facilitation of staff of BellNet (Bell County Network for Educational Technology) a kid-friendly, engaging, interactive Flash Web site. that addresses substance abuse resistance through peer- mentoring. BellNet has provided college scholarships for the students on the Peer-Mentoring Team. During the summer of 2002, the team presented their work at a teen leadership, TEAM camp at the University of Texas, at an international, drug-prevention conference in Killeen, Texas, and at a STEP anti-tobacco conference. In the fall of 2002, they presented in Bell County schools and guideed students in peer-pressure resistance techniques through
dramatic simulations.

A primary challenge for young people today is the breakdown of the family, which makes them all the more susceptible to peer pressure, as their peers become their family. Young people are also being victimized by adults, who manipulate them through marketing and advertising practices for financial gain. Performance studies students involved with this BellNet project are working with a vast international network to encourage peer-mentoring to assist, strengthen, and support young people, as they negotiate their way through peer and marketing pressures. Peer-Mentoring team members are using dramatic, audience-participatory, simulations (with on-site and distance peers) to assist other young people in their social negotiations. This team is producing activities, which include but move beyond attention-getting/informational products, to providing practice for young people to safely negotiate and to carefully avoid substance abuse. (See Curriculum for Facilitating Dramatic Simulations to enable students to practice techniques for positively managing peer pressure.)

The spring 2002 BellNet, Peer-Mentoring Team, which designed the Peer-Mentoring Web site, included the following:
Jenna Artus (Team Captain), Beth Bennett, Michael Peterson, Gesthimani Spikes, Cynthia Brehm, Shannon Cunningham,
and UMHB business faculty member, Ann Eubanks.

The summer, 2002, BellNet, Peer-Mentoring team included the following members with the following assignments. Jenna Artus led a group who concentrated on dramatic simulations for the Web site, CDs, video documentaries, camps, and conferences. This group involved Beth Bennett, Robin McLeaird, Jessica Stockel, Sarah Snyder,and Lisa Banks. Dr. Diane Howard headed a group who worked on ongoing Web site, video documentary, and curriculum development. This group included Carlotta Russell Maneice, Melissa Gonzales, and Renee Jemerson. Okechuku Iwundu continued as the project artist. Shannon Cunningham worked on editing for the video documentaries.

The fall 2002 team included Jenna Artus, as the team leader, Jessica Stockel, Walter Hobbins, Andrew Walters, Eric Clawson, Megan Lee, Marianna Lugo, Robyn Renfroe, C. J. Gustafson, and Diane Hallock. Jessica Stockel is to serve as the spring 2003 project supervisor.

The spring 2003 team included Jessica Stockel, as team leader; Megan Lee; Marianna Lugo; Ashley Akin; Jenny Foster; Eileen Lamberson; Christine Pointer; Shuntaro Yamasaki; Josh Jones, Web site & CD editor; and C. J. Gustafson photographer & video editor.

Photos of Peer-Mentoring Team and Participants Using Dramatic Simulations to Teach Peer Pressure Resistance Techniques, TEAM Conference, UT, Austin, 2002

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Photos of Peer-Mentoring Team and Participants Using Dramatic Simulations to Teach Peer Pressure Resistance Techniques, International Drug-Prevention Conference, Killeen, TX 2002
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    Opening Speaker
Congressman Chet Edwards
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There is a new text available that is related to this work.

Enhanced by Technology:
A Practical Guide to Distance Communication