Fictional others: expanding the possible through interactions with the fictional

Abstract

This paper draws on data from a mixed method action research study investigating whether Mantle of the Expert supported or constrained science learning in a year 7/8 class. The 29 students (positioned as expert scientists) learned about buoyancy and stability through reinvestigating the sinking of the ferry Wahine in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand on 10 April 1968. The focus of this paper, however, is Heathcote’s notion of ‘others’. It examines how the role of the client as an external audience to the students’ work was extended by offering fictional others as an internal audience. The study highlights the value of interacting in an ethical manner with multiple fictional others of differing statuses and competency. I will suggest using both competent and incompetent fictional others intensifies the learning, and expands the possible by providing students with an incentive to work and to develop their curricular understanding.