In exploring a new landscape, there are the inevitable peaks and troughs of triumphs and challenges. Like any journey, there comes a time to sit down, scan the landscape, reflect on progress and consider the next step. This is what happened in 2002. It was a year of reflect and consolidation.

1. Publishing a paper on role-play moderation

Ip, A., Linser, R., Jasinski, M. The Zen of being an effective “Mod” in online simulations. Paper presented at Ausweb 2002 The Eighth Australian World Wide web Conference, Queensland July 2002.

2. Mentoring Kate Fannon, Flexible Learning Leader 2002

I was a mentor to my highly talented colleague, Kate Fannon, a 2002 Flexible Learning Leader who explored the potential of web-based role-play as a methodology for teaching English as a second language. As part of this she designed a role-play called Needle Stick which explored the implications of a needle exchange program in a regional town. Mary Aquino and Margaret Spears participated as players. Mary was a participant in a web-based role-play workshop and had participated in many of my email games. Margaret was studying the Graduate Certificate in Facilitating and Managing E-Learning (FAME). I was a FAME facilitator and Margaret wrote about her experiences as one of her projects.

Here are Kate’s reflections on her experiences:
http://pre2005.flexiblelearning.net.au/leaders/fl_leaders/leader_profile.php?key=16

3. Attending a national role-play design summit

My colleague Simon O’Mallon and I were invited to the first national simulations design summit. The aim of the summit was to pool resources and experience to develop guidelines for the design and moderation of web-based simulations.

The summit was part of a larger project funded by the Australian Universities Teaching Committee (AUTC). The aim of this project is to maximise opportunities for university teachers to create engaging learning opportunities for students within high-quality, flexible learning environments.

Guidelines for designing and moderating web-based s will soon be published, so watch this web site!

4. Re-writing a design template

With Albert Ip’s permission and support, I re-wrote the Fablusi design template using the metaphor of designing and putting on a play. My aim in re-designing the worksheet was to make the design process simpler, easier to follow and to contextualise it to the competency-based system within vocational education training in Australia. I’ve tested it out several times and it seems to work well. However, in reality it is a constantly changing document and people use it in their own way.

5. Planning and delivering a workshop introducing to web-based role-play

Below is an outline of a one day introductory workshop I have conducted several times. Each time I conduct it, I appreciate the challenges of introducing this approach within the vocational education and training sector. It’s complex!

Session Objectives
By exploring different types of web-based role-plays, participants will learn more about:

• The educational principles underpinning the design of web-based role-plays.
• Combining goal-based learning, and the capabilities of the World Wide web to facilitate collaborative learning online.
• The role of induction and debriefing in web-based role-plays and simulations
• Skills and tips for moderating role-plays and simulations.
• The different types of tools and templates – a hands on experience
• Drafting a role-play scenario

Benefits of the session
By the end of the session, participants will have a greater understanding of the design and moderation process underpinning web-based role-plays and take the first steps in designing a role-play for their context.

6. Telling Tales: Web-based role-play as narrative-centred learning environments.

As part of my Masters studies in Complexity, Chaos and Creativity, I enrolled in a subject called Narratology. In a series of episodes, I investigated the following:

• Getting the story straight –defining and refining the concepts of role-play, games and simulations from a narrative perspective.
• Narrative-centred learning environments – exploring how narrative is emerging as a design framework in related fields like artificial intelligence.
• Multiple realities: stakeholder stories – documenting the roles of different stakeholder groups in web-based role-play.
• The Russian Doll Effect: roles within roles – exploring the fractal patterns of self-similarity within and between different roles.
• Debriefing: A Double Act – realizing the need to hear two types of stories in the debriefing process - the story of the character and the story of the self.

7. Where to from here?

Contact me at mariejas@bigpond.com with your brilliant suggestions!

If you’d like to participate in a role-play, or if you have ideas for collaboration, I’d love to hear from you!

Marie Jasinski
Adelaide, South Australia
April 2003