Building Community and Co-creating Guidelines: Reflection, Learning Strategies, and Conflict Resolut

Effective Learning Strategies

Having reflected upon what has worked and what has not worked in past courses you have taken (on-line or in class). What supports your learning? What detracts from your learning?

Drawing from your own list, choose one idea to post by starting a new thread and explain how or why it will strengthen our community.

Imagine yourself as Jay: What assumptions are you making about Tim as the conflict unfolds? Jay drove to work alone every weekday. On this particular Monday morning, he arrived in his office parking lot a few minutes before nine o'clock. He had several thoughts on his mind and was not prepared to see a small moped parked in his reserved spot. In fact, because the moped was set back deep in the spot and  between cars, he could not see it until he made the turn into the space. Jay slammed on the brakes but failed to stop before hitting the scooter. The moped wobbled and then fell to the ground. Jay backed up his car and then placed the car in park. He got out and moved quickly to examine the results. He was surveying the damage done to his own bumper when Tim, whom he recognized but could not name, approached him on the run. The following conversation ensued:

1 : What's your problem? What the hell did you do to my Honda? I said, "What did you do?/1 2J: I drove into my spot and didn't see your bike. What was it doing parked there?

2 : Look, my tire's flat. I can't move the wheel. Crushed in and doesn't move.

3: I didn't see it until I was on top of it.

4 : You are going to have to pay for this. I can't afford this.

5 : What was it doing in a parking space?

6 : What's your problem? It was parked. Look at the wheel. You came around pretty good.

7: Listen, this is my spot. I didn't see it, and it shouldn't have been there. You're lucky I stopped when I did. Look at my bumper. What was it doing there?

8 : You ass. Who cares whose spot it is? Some jerk like you drives over my Honda and says, "This is my spot. /I I don't care who you are. You will fix my Honda!

9 : You are the one with a problem. Do you work here?

10 : What does that have to do with anything? Stop looking at your bumper; it looks fine. I want your driver's license and insurance.

11 : Who in the hell do you think you are? (Starts walking away.!

12 : You are not going anywhere. (Grabs J's arm.)

13 : Let go of me. You are screwed. I'm calling the police. (Turns to move toward the office.!

14 Tim slugs Jay from behind. The two scuffle for a few moments until others arrive to break them apart.

• Why did this conflict escalate to physical violence?
• What assumptions does your answer reveal?
• Consider the explanations that have been offered for well-known conflicts: the war in Iraq, the ordination of gay clergy in various religious denominations, the Columbine shootings, or others. What assumptions under lie these explanations.