During the Story
Have stories access the student chapter Cyber Choices and select the chapter “Tame the Tyrannolaurus.”
In this story, Violet has to decide what to do when her friend Laura is mean to Sameen, another player in their favourite game UniSaurus Realms.
- Should she tell Laura to stop being mean? Should she try to comfort Sameen?
- Should she try to mediate between the two of them?
- If she makes the wrong choice and makes things worse, what can she do to make things right?
There are six Decision Points in this story and seven possible endings.
Here are the Decision Points:
1. Is Laura really being mean to Sameen, or is what she’s doing just part of the game?
2. When Violet wants to help Sameen, should she do it right now – when Laura is still around – or look for a chance to help him privately?
3. If Violet decides to help Sameen privately, should she go find him right away or talk to Laura first to tell her that what she did was wrong?
4. If Violet decides to help Sameen right away, should she try to resolve the situation by calming Laura down, or by helping Laura and Sameen work things out?
5. If Violet decides that what Laura is doing is just part of the game, should she keep playing the game, or log off and come back later when Laura’s cooled off?
6. If Violet decides to keep playing, should she just do nothing, or help to get rid of Sameen so they can go on with the game?
Here are the possible endings:
1. Violet got Laura to think twice about being mean online, but she wasn’t able to help Sameen feel better. How do you think each of them felt about how things turned out?
- Laura felt guilty for being mean to Sameen. Violet was happy that she had helped Laura calm down. But she was afraid that Sameen would still feel hurt by Laura’s behaviour. (Score: 2)
2. Violet reached out to help someone who was being picked on online. How do you think each of them felt about how things turned out?
- Sameen was happy because Violet defended him and helped him feel better. Violet was happy because she had helped Sameen feel better. But she was afraid that Laura wouldn’t understand and would get angry again the next time someone made a mistake. (Score: 3)
3. Violet tried to get Laura to think twice about being mean online, but she wasn’t able to help Sameen feel better. How do you think each of them felt about how things turned out?
- Laura was still mad at Sameen. Violet was afraid that Laura would stay angry and Sameen would still feel hurt. (Score: 2)
4. Violet decided to walk away when someone was being picked on online. How do you think everyone felt about how things turned out?
- Laura was still angry. Violet was afraid that Laura would stay angry and Sameen would feel hurt. (Score: 1)
5. Violet decided to join in when someone was being picked on online. How do you think everyone felt about how things turned out?
- Laura was still mad at Sameen. Sameen was sad because Laura and Violet were mad at him. Violet was afraid that Laura would stay angry and Sameen would feel hurt. She felt embarrassed that she had helped Laura hurt him. (Score: 1)
6. Violet decided not to do anything when someone was being picked on online. How do you think everyone felt about how things turned out?
- Laura was still mad at Sameen. Sameen was sad because Laura and Violet were mad at him. Violet was afraid that Laura would stay angry and Sameen would feel hurt. (Score: 1)