Message no. 445 posted by Liz (s000101) on Thu Sep 12,
2002 08:54
Subject: Difficult feelings
Maybe Amy came across as a bit of a prig? Still, I wasn't prepared for
how I was going to feel about some of the responses to her! Separating
myself from the role was really hard at times.
Message no. 466 [Branch from no. 454] posted by Julia (s000197)
on Tue Sep 17, 2002 08:57
Subject Re: Public v Private personas
Reading Liz's message really made sense - I like her had a conservative
role which I didn't agree with but was able to live with more and more
as the role-play went on - in fact by the end although I totally supported
the NEP in theory, I was convinced in my real self that to have put
it so near the school in the first place was ridiculous and asking for
trouble. I think what made the whole thing possible for me was when
I realised I could stop campaigning for the closure of the NEP and instead
jump on the relocation bandwagon at the same time as supporting the
education, fence etc.
Message no. 450 [Branch from no. 447] posted by Jenni (gs0042)
on Thu Sep 12, 2002 16:27
Subject Re: Difficult feelings
I admired Samantha, Helena and Amy for sticking up for their ideas,
and for playing their roles so well. My character, Cheryl MP kept saying
she was talking about every issue under the sun, but not really committing,
and so I got a few "nasty" e-mails, but nothing as much as I had expected
when allocated the role. Helena had written to me that I hadn't answered
her question and I laughed, because of course I hadn't and never would
- I thought that politicians are excellent at dissembling.
Message no. 447 [Branch from no. 445] posted by Julia (s000197)
on Thu Sep 12, 2002 14:08
Subject Re: Difficult feelings
I experienced a wide range of emotions during the Fablusi process,
some positive and some pretty negative, so I know just what Liz means.
I think the fact that for us the entire process was online was a contributing
factor to those feelings of alienation and isolation. If the induction
had been done f2f I think it would have helped. I know that Melb uni
students work in teams and that I think would go a fair way towards
reducing the threatening feelings. I know there are then problems with
sharing the workload etc but I still feel that the advantages would
outweigh the disadvantages. The fact that I was working in the same
building as Kate meant that I was able to talk to her f2f from time
to time about my feelings, frustrations, etc and that helped a lot too
- which also points to the fact that there needs to be a f2f component
of the process and the opportunity for synchronous contact if necessary.
Maybe for people who are more accustomed to communicating online and
facelessly, Fablusi would pose less threat but for me it is important
to be able to talk f2f with someone in the simulation.
Message no. 462 [Branch from no. 449] posted by Mary (gs0004)
on Mon Sep 16, 2002 12:52
Subject Re: Difficult feelings
I think the paired option has merit for students..the 'team thing could
be a be unwieldy..but having someone to bounce off, clear technical
hitches with and generally share reality checks sounds good to me..in
general fablusi terms. Without compromising our roles..James and I did
this a fair bit and I felt it really helped me.
It would have been a lot more challenging if I'd scored the role of
Amy or Samantha. Interestingly..Samantha didn't push my buttons at all..I
could unreservedly respect her stand..and she came across as a pretty
well rounded, rose growing ,community minded sort of a dame..I almost
liked her.
.. now I'm fascinated by the kinds of connections we can make to different
roles and why and how we make them..in many cases my actual contact
with some of the characters was pretty minimal..but I still formed instant,
strong intuitive online impressions of them..just like I do in real
life..this would be interesting to look at with students..to review
those impressions among the group and track back and analyse where and
when and why they were formed.
Message no. 454 [Branch from no. 451] posted by Liz (s000101)
on Fri Sep 13, 2002 09:26
Subject Re: Public v Private personas
Jenni asks "What made the role play more difficult to hold public and
private spirit together?" and that is exactly the question that's been
bugging me. The only answer I've come up with is embarrassing to admit!
Amy had a conservative role and I like to see myself as a bit more open,
tolerant etc. I wanted to be with all you cool guys who were out there
supporting the drug users; instead I sounded like some moralistic stay-at-mum
from the 50's! Yet the more I had to write as Amy, the more I came to
think she was dead right!!! So, had I been more comfortable with the
conservative in me, i'd probably been more able to laugh off the responses.
Lastly, I agree that the idea of working in teams, or at least having
a buddy, to do a reality check with when feeling not-OK sounds excellent.
Message no. 461 [Branch from no. 454] posted by Mary (gs0004)
on Mon Sep 16, 2002 11:53
Subject Re: Public v Private personas
Amy had a conservative role and I like to see myself as a bit more
open, tolerant etc. I wanted to be with all you cool guys who were out
there supporting the drug users; instead I sounded like some moralistic
stay-at-mum from the 50's! Yet the more I had to write as Amy, the more
I came to think she was dead right!!!
actually Liz ..I reckon you did a top job as Amy..even though (or especially
because?) you/she really got up my shiraz slurping, leftie nose !
.. and by the end I have to sneakily confess that I could really see
the strength in Amy's argument about moving the NEP..but I wasn't game
enough to admit it ..her well argued case didn't impact on me nearly
as much as what I felt as her irritating usurping of the moral high
ground..so there was learning for me and my character (Cyn) there..separate
the argument from the 'arguer'..something I still have trouble with
in real life Cheers M
Message no. 467 [Branch from no. 455] posted by Shivi
(s000479) on Tue Sep 17, 2002 15:07
Subject Re: Cultural issues?
'Culturally inept' - Kristine I hope I'm not going to tie myself in
knots here! Not having Kristine to bear the brunt of my words shakes
my confidence but here goes.
When I first started reading the profiles of the roles and then sneaked
a look into street talk and realised that according to my role I had
to be one of these 'locals' I had a moment of panic. The language, the
expressions, the humour, the ' pure Australian-ness' of it all put me
on the back foot as I felt quite out of place - culturally. This was
in addition to the insecurity I felt at taking on the whole new role
of Kristine. I was almost sure everyone would know when they started
reading what I wrote that Kristine sounded like a person from out of
Australia rather than a native. I still don't know if anyone picked
it up.
I almost e-mailed Kate saying "I'm far over my head - get me out!!"
Even the subject of the simulation was somewhat alien to me coming from
a reasonably 'traditional' background where such issues are not acknowledged
much less discussed. As the simulation progressed though I gained in
confidence mainly due to the support of Cynthia and Sergei and this
reduced the feeling of anxiety and alieness that I felt.
Thinking about it I feel that having allies would be very important
in giving NESB* students a sense of confidence and I also feel that
'multicultural/ethnic' roles could be incorporated in these simulations.
A face to face induction where such issues could be thrashed out would
help as well.
*NESB = non-English speaking background
Melb = Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, Australia
uni = university
shiraz = one type of red wine
MP = Minister of Parliament
