Last night I had so much fun facilitating a discussion on an engaging, emotional, and amazing book by Lather and Smithies. Check out the activity below along with some of the 'in action' pictures of collaboration in action.
Troubling the Angels: Women Living with HIV/AIDS by Patti Lather & Chris Smithies
As we have seen and discussed with many of the texts this semester, stories are everyday yet extraordinary cultural, personal, academic, public,… tools. With this activity, we will explore the process of collecting, interpreting, and presenting people’s stories. As a group, we will then reflect on our experiences.
Pre-Interviews: Consent
As a group, how will you negotiate consent in this space? Do you want to consider relationship building?
Part 1: Conducting Interviews
Groups of three:
1. Interviewer – ask the question
2. Interviewee – answer the questions
3. Observer – make note of environment, body language, tone(s), etc.
Use cell phone to record interview
Interview groups & questions:
(There is no rhyme or reason for the group names. I just decided to entertain myself rather than refer to then as Group 1, Group 2, Group C, Group D…)
Maria Taylor Group
1. When have you been the most satisfied in your life?
2. How lucky are you? Why?
3. Define what it means to be vulnerable. Explain.
4. What is something about yourself that you don’t like to talk about? Why?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
Elliott Smith Group
1. How do you feel about Ping-Pong?
2. List 5 quirky things about yourself.
3. What’s something other people think about you that you don’t think is accurate?
4. What’s the most hurtful thing someone has ever done to you?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
M. Ward Group
1. Who is the person you most admire? Why?
2. Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer? Explain.
3. What’s the most difficult, personal thing you have ever had to do?
4. What is something you do not like to do? Why?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
Ben Gibbard Group
1. What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
2. How do you deal with criticism?
3. What is a question you’re afraid to be asked? Why?
4. What is your most painful memory?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
Part 2: Decisions About Presentation
Based on your groups 5 interview questions, the audio recording of the interview, the observer’s notes, and all three participant’s input, create a plan for how you would share this person’s story/ies. (See the handout.) Consider and determine the intended audience, voice, format (mode/medium), and topic (focus) of your presentation. What other elements went into creating your presentation plan? (There are spaces for them on the handout also.) We will discuss not only what decisions you make but also why you made those decisions.
Part 3: Reflection
Troubling the Angels: Women Living with HIV/AIDS by Patti Lather & Chris Smithies
As we have seen and discussed with many of the texts this semester, stories are everyday yet extraordinary cultural, personal, academic, public,… tools. With this activity, we will explore the process of collecting, interpreting, and presenting people’s stories. As a group, we will then reflect on our experiences.
Pre-Interviews: Consent
As a group, how will you negotiate consent in this space? Do you want to consider relationship building?
Part 1: Conducting Interviews
Groups of three:
1. Interviewer – ask the question
2. Interviewee – answer the questions
3. Observer – make note of environment, body language, tone(s), etc.
Use cell phone to record interview
Interview groups & questions:
(There is no rhyme or reason for the group names. I just decided to entertain myself rather than refer to then as Group 1, Group 2, Group C, Group D…)
Maria Taylor Group
1. When have you been the most satisfied in your life?
2. How lucky are you? Why?
3. Define what it means to be vulnerable. Explain.
4. What is something about yourself that you don’t like to talk about? Why?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
Elliott Smith Group
1. How do you feel about Ping-Pong?
2. List 5 quirky things about yourself.
3. What’s something other people think about you that you don’t think is accurate?
4. What’s the most hurtful thing someone has ever done to you?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
M. Ward Group
1. Who is the person you most admire? Why?
2. Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer? Explain.
3. What’s the most difficult, personal thing you have ever had to do?
4. What is something you do not like to do? Why?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
Ben Gibbard Group
1. What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
2. How do you deal with criticism?
3. What is a question you’re afraid to be asked? Why?
4. What is your most painful memory?
5. If you had to write the epitaph for your tombstone today, what would it be? Why?
Part 2: Decisions About Presentation
Based on your groups 5 interview questions, the audio recording of the interview, the observer’s notes, and all three participant’s input, create a plan for how you would share this person’s story/ies. (See the handout.) Consider and determine the intended audience, voice, format (mode/medium), and topic (focus) of your presentation. What other elements went into creating your presentation plan? (There are spaces for them on the handout also.) We will discuss not only what decisions you make but also why you made those decisions.
Part 3: Reflection
- What was difficult about the various steps in this process? What was easy? Why?
- How did your relationships or lack of relationships with each other affect the process? Explain.
- What constraints and affordances came with your decisions about audience, voice, format, and focus? Explain.
- What was lost in the remix? What was gained?
- How did the various group roles play out in this process? Your own role? Observations of other’s roles? Explain. Examples will be helpful.
- What did you find particularly interesting about this process (overall or specific parts)? Explain.
- How does this activity relate (or not) to this week’s reading?
- Other reflections?