Janine’s blog

I found out today, with great sadness, that Marie Jasinski died on Monday 21 January. I first came across Marie in 1997 when I was starting up the VECO project and she was managing the LearnScope project. Although our audiences and purposes were different, there was much commonality in the field of online community and running online events. At the 1999 Net*Working online conference, she played the zany, offbeat, bizarre role of Sister Marie Psychic in the Alcazar (solver of all your problems). Marty Cielens was the Moet Poet, many others hung out in the Alcazar and I decided to be the self-appointed archivist.   As was typical of much of her work, this was a fun and off-beat way to explore new territory but with serious learning in mind. Not long after this we collaborated to experiment with using technology to bring a face to face workshop to a remote audience – it did not work so well but we learned heaps. So a professional and personal relationship developed over time. While visiting Adelaide for a conference a few years ago, we met up and went to an Adelaide Fringe Festival event in the famous Spiegeltent. She brought along the new man in her life who turned out to be none other than Marty, the Moet Poet from the Alcazar.  She was my mentor for my Flexible Learning Leader year and how insightful, inspirational and motivational she was. 

In early 2007 she found out that she was seriously unwell and her approach to that, as to everything in her life, was to focus on the positive, to make the most of every moment and share her love with family and friends.  She and Marty married, had some travelling adventures then moved home to Hobart in December 2007. Though I spoke to her, it was not meant to be that we would spend any more time together.  The notice in today’s Mercury reads:

Jasinski, Marie Louise

Died peacefully at Hobart on January 21, 2008. Much loved wife of Martin Cielens. Beloved daugheter of Dorothy Jasinski and  Leonard Jasinski (dec.) Cherished sister of Jenny and John. Much loved sister-in-law of Janet Plater, Viesturs and Andrew Cielens, Kym Tilgals and Michelle Marsh, and daughter in law of Tatjana Tilgals. Adored “Auntie Rie” of Sam, Grace and Max Jasinski. To all of us, a friend, companion and guide; someone who wove webs of joy and adventure. An exceptional person who will be deeply missed yet lives in all of us.

Marie leaves behind a rich legacy to the world of flexible learning, innovation, change and generally operating effectively in the 21st century. She was extremely proud of her final piece of professional work.

Some snippets of her digital footprint…..

• 1998 Teaching and learning styles that facilitate  online learning - research project led by Marie
• 1999 Sister Marie and the Alcazar - an early foray into role playing (look out for the Spitting Camel)
• 1999 Online learning – delivery truck, construction site or introduction agency (includes audio file – an early webcast)
• 2000 Virtual games for real learning – conference paper co-authored with Sivasailam “Thiagi” Thiagarajan
• 2001 E-games: Improvisation through open platform design - conference paper
• 2002 Sister Marie reaches the summit – a summary of role play and simulation
• 2002 The Zen Of Being An Effective ‘Mod’ In Online Role-Play Simulations - paper jointly authored with Albert Ip
• 2003 Notes on Inspired Minds workshop - Harnessing Your Power To Innovate, Lead and Change - by Janet Burstall
• 2004 Educhaos series – out of control and thriving! - a series of 7 online events facilitated by Marie in the Australian Flexible Learning community
• 2005 Background to the Australian Flexible Learning Community - describes Marie’s role in the early days
• 2005 Robert Woog, Robby Weatherley, Marie Jasinski talk at Austafe2005 - see conversation after blog posting
• 2006 Innovate and integrate: Embedding innovative practices research - commissioned applied research
• 2006 Life Based Learning: A strength based approach to capability development - research collaboration with Maret Staron and Robbie Weatherley
• 2007 Marty and Marie’s blog
• 2008 Stephen Downes’ tribute
• 2008 Nancy White’s tribute
• 2008 Albert Ip’s tribute - lots of links to video clips of Marie talking about role play
• 2008 Carole McCulloch’s tribute - photostory from Marie and Marty’s wedding
• 2008 Australian Flexible Learning Leaders’ (FLL) tributes

The poem and other sentiments expressed so far in the FLL tributes really capture the spirit of Marie. Anyone she touched professionally she also influenced personally. Her approach to life shone through – she embodied the concept of living in the moment and always with joy, humour, insight and understanding of the human condition.

Janine Bowes FLL 2004

• 25 Jan 2008  Special tribute held online – recording and summary available
• Feb 2008 Thiagi’s tribute
• Mar 2008 Celebration held in Adelaide (Michael Coghlan blog)

Vale special friend.