It’s research drawn from a sub-project in my PhD work. It introduces readers to the use of storytelling in the 3-D virtual world of Second Life® and the strong sence of place and emotional connections developed between participants.

Abstract—As a sub-part of a larger project investigating the benefits of storytelling in the facilitation of team building in online groups, an inquiry was conducted on the use of storytelling in the 3-D virtual world of Second Life®. The 3-D world presented an intriguing opportunity to investigate the potential of combining the popular group process of storytelling with a 3-D virtual environment conducive of that process. It was hoped that the metaphor of an evening camp fire in the starlight could add new dimensions to a shared storytelling experience online. The 3-D world was found to provide participants with a substitute form of non-verbal communication (body language) both as a part of the embedded AI avatar actions, and those actions that occurred when users interacted with each other and the 3-D environment around them. Participants found they connected strongly on an emotional level with others and they developed a felt sense of place. Useful findings for those looking to online tools for group work opportunities that can provide strong connections and opportunities for interactive group spaces. With online groups being highly focused on their tasks in the initial stages, developing emotional and relational connections can be challenging for group leaders and facilitators. The combination of a 3-D environment and group process as outlined in this study presents one approach to deepening the possibilities of online group work, and generating a natural, fun, and satisfying way for participants to work together online.

Index Terms—3-D virtual worlds, virtual teams, group collaboration, online groups, group work, group facilitation, Second Life.

[PDF]

Cite: Stephen J. Thorpe, “Sense of Place and Emotional Connections Using Collaborative Storytelling in Second Life,” International Journal of Information and Education Technology vol. 1, no. 4, pp.  292-297, 2011.

I spoke about my early research work at Auckland University of Technology and some of the interesting aspects of my PhD thesis work with practicing group facilitators working with non-colocated teams.

A snippet:

To get most out of team performance make sure they have good processes, clear roles and use storytelling to inspire them to new heights with stories of high performing sports teams.

A summary put together by Simson Leigh can be found here:
http://blackboxpm.blogspot.com/2011/06/working-virtual-summit-day-2-21st-june.html

I’m leading a virtual workshop on online group engagement with storytelling at the upcoming Australasian Facilitators’ Network Conference 2011.

If anyone needs help ticking the box for Len Brown, I’m totally willing to help.
Interestingly he’s a Catholic and went to De La Salle college. And not too many people know that.
Make sure you get out your papers and vote.

When the Sun enters Gemini the general atmosphere feels lighter, more open and easy-going. Issues of exchange, information, and communication are in the air.

On a mundane level, the Sun represents the general atmosphere, the predominant attitudes towards and ways of looking at life during a certain time. In the true sense of the word, the Sun throws a different light on the world in different signs.

Glen Ochre and Ed McKinley’s facilitation work has been ground-breaking through out Australia over the last 25 years and this DVD is based on their facilitation education and training with a focus on the challenging edges of facilitation. It introduces viewers to 3 typically challenging scenarios being facilitated: A multi-stakeholder community meeting around a new freeway project, a planning day where the drama of someone having been recently fired in the team emerges, and a therapy group. A series of the Groupwork’s “micro-facilitation steps” (or interventions) are demonstrated throughout these 3 scenarios.

One of the great things about this DVD is that I could put myself in the same situation and it is focused on the role of the group facilitator. For me personally, I would have loved to have seen some further discussion after each scenario on the thinking proceses of the facilitator or naming the theoretical principles underpinning the particular facilitation hot-spots demonstrated – naming the why is as important as seeing the how.

Be prepared – some of the language (or lingo as it’s called downunder) will be quite different for international audiences. For example, there is a mini-process called “Poking around”. This could simply translate as the facilitator ‘checking assumptions’ or ‘questioning for clarity’. There’s a booklet with the DVD that helps explain each of the mini-processes used.

If you are familiar and experienced with group facilitation then these scenarios and the interventions will make lots of sense. It would be interesting to have a novice view the DVD to uncover their experience of the approach. This DVD won’t hold someone’s hand through how to facilitate, particularly if they are totally new to facilitation. It will however, demonstate for them what a facilitator does and what’s available when a facilitator is at work with a group.

Hot Spots and Tricky Bits by the Groupwork Institute of Australia

My Facebook Touch Graph on 17 May 2010

My Facebook Touch Graph on 17 May 2010

Try it out yourself – you will need Java installed in your browser:
http://www.touchgraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.html

This issue is full of interesting new articles. It includes a classic from Group & Organization Studies by Bruce W. Tuckman and Mary Ann C. Jensen, reviewing the popular forming, storming, norming and performing model of small group development – a review that concluded with the addition of the adjourning stage. Also in this issue is an article analyzing cases of facilitators’ working ‘in the moment’, plus there is an article that revisits the Devil’s Advocate technique and offers suggestions for practice. Finally, there is the introduction of a Negotiated Performance Appraisal Model for improving organisational performance appraisal. Reviews of two new books provide food for thought. Just take a peek at what’s inside…

Introduction

• Editorial by Stephen Thorpe, Editor

Articles

• ‘In the moment’: An analysis of facilitator impact during a quality improvement process by Eric K. Shaw, Anna Looney, Sabrina Chase, Rohini Navalekar, Brian Stello, Oliver Lontok and Benjamin Crabtree
• Facilitating Problem Solving: A Case Study Using the Devil’s Advocacy Technique by Ryan T. Hartwig
• The Negotiated Performance Appraisal Model: Enhancing Supervisor-Subordinate Communication and Conflict Resolution by Gregorio Billikopf

Classics

• Stages of Small-Group Development Revisited by Bruce W. Tuckman and Mary Ann C. Jensen

Book Reviews

• Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There: Ten Principles for Leading Meetings That Matter by Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff – Reviewed by Shankar Sankaran
• Standing in the Fire: Leading High Heat Meetings with Clarity, Calm and Courage by Larry Dressler – Reviewed by Cindy Tonkin

Download your IAF member’s only copy of the IAF Journal Issue #10 today. 

Group Facilitation Journal