With last week’s descent into the ‘dungeon’ being somewhat gung-ho, this week was a wake-up call. The group at University Outside Tokyo (UOT) changed. Our one woman was absent along with two other male players. Perhaps this is what led to one player stepping over the line or testing the boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable in the classroom.
Our game at UOT is based on interacting with a non-player character (NPC) who is a foreign exchange student. This week we took him sightseeing (with our female player absent only our male NPC was in play). Unfortunately three of the players decided that a good place would be a massage parlour.
There was part of me that was close to ranting and raving. However, I didn’t. Instead, I appealed to the group’s lack of impropriety and asked if this was acceptable to them. It wasn’t. We finished the game, and after the transcription stage I called bullshit. I pulled rank as both ‘Dungeon Master’ and classroom teacher. Yes, I played my ‘Don’t be a dick!’ and ‘I grade your work’ cards. Do I feel slightly uncomfortable setting boundaries with adults? Yes, actually. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely.
There is a public transport-themed game stage next lesson with this group. I don’t think this will provide opportunities for lewd outbursts.
Read Here be (Dungeons and) Dragons previous ‘chapters’: 1,
Read the future chapters 3, 4, 5, 6
Here be (Dungeons and) Dragons 2
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How old are these students? I think I would have done the same in your position…
They’re about twenty. Part of me nearly said “grow up!” I am becoming my father.
Thank you for sharing this Marc. So far, it has been with over-21s that setting boundaries was necessary in our gaming environments. I used to think of it as an expression of rebellion on their behalf, a kind of “I’m an adult, I can do as I please” – perhaps though there is simply a different class of ethics within teen groups.
It’s a weird one, isn’t it? Maybe teenagers expect some kind of consequences for insulting behaviour where adults might not appreciate how saying the wrong thing at the wrong time can lead to difficulties.
Yes, exactly. Seems there is a line we cross at some point where thinking twice disappears! Teenagers are a breed and culture of their own – we might be de-evolving (is that a word?) as we come of age.
I totally agree. I’ve found high schoolers to be earnest, middle-aged learners to be edging toward talking about my private life and the elderly are very keen to enjoy themselves (although get a bit nosey) as a massive generalisation.