+----------------------------------------------+ Kiwi holds up a big sign: | Hi! Glad you could all make it! | +----------------------------------------------+Goddess asks, "You're asking ME???"
+----------------------------------------------+ | To talk, just type: say Hi! (or you can | Kiwi holds up a big sign: | use the carpal tunnel syndrome key " | | instead of say, like "hi) | +----------------------------------------------+Goddess asks, "You're asking ME???"
+----------------------------------------------+ | point your OTHER netscape window to | Kiwi holds up a big sign: | http://damoo.csun.edu:8888/164 and you can | | see me! | +----------------------------------------------+Einstein_Guest says, "Do your students have as much fun with this as you evidently are? "
Welcome to DaMOO, running on the server at California State University, Northridge.
This room is a "logging room"; all conversation in this room will be logged and posted to the WWW. Your participation in this discussion constitutes your permission to publish this conversation on the Web and/or to quote from the log in published discussions. If you do not want to participate, please type: @quit
Now, on with the show. First, let's introduce ourselves. (NOTE: If you need help with MOO commands, please refer to http://www.cas.usf.edu/english/walker/papers/cte/commands.html).
********* End *********
lamia says, "I met my sister in here a few weeks ago, and she said
this was like Bart Simpson on crack"
Capricorn_Guest says, "What is my character name?""
Kiwi is Kiwi (Oh, okay, I'm Janice Walker, Georgia
Southern University)
JudeTalk says, "you are Capricorn guest"
Kiwi says to Capricorn_Guest, "you're Capricorn_Guest right now"
lamia exclaims, "ooohhh... Caroline got it!!"
JudeTalk says, "real introduction? Judette :) from Cleveland"
Kiwi thinks guests can change their name by typing @name <whatever>
(like @name Caroline)
Einstein_Guest says, "Is there popcorn to go with the slide show."
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "you don't have to tell who you are for real
if you don't want to--but this log WILL be published on the WWW for the
whole world to see...."
Kiwi grins at Einstein_Guest.
Kiwi says to Einstein_Guest, "no, but if we have time you can go to
the pub and grab a brew"
Kiwi asks lamia, "are we ready for the next slide?"
Kiwi giggles and wiggles her toes
lamia asks, "wait.. we haven't looked at the first slide... we're still
changing names in the Newton building... where's the slide show?"
Kiwi <--has a thing for toes.
Kiwi says to lamia, "I'll repost slide 1"
********* Kiwi: slide 1 on Slide Projector *********
Welcome to DaMOO, running on the server at California State University, Northridge.
This room is a "logging room"; all conversation in this room will be logged and posted to the WWW. Your participation in this discussion constitutes your permission to publish this conversation on the Web and/or to quote from the log in published discussions. If you do not want to participate, please type: @quit
Now, on with the show. First, let's introduce ourselves. (NOTE: If you need help with MOO commands, please refer to http://www.cas.usf.edu/english/walker/papers/cte/commands.html).
********* End *********
Kiwi hopes everyone here will speak up :)
JudeTalk exclaims, "I will speak up--I'm just so glad Microsoft hasn't
shut me down yet!"
Kiwi says, "What I'd like for us to talk about today is: "Why MOO??""
Kiwi grins at JudeTalk.
Einstein_Guest asks, "Yes, why is MOO valuable?"
Kiwi exclaims to JudeTalk, "You'd probably appreciate the title of
my diss: Literacy, Technology, and Change: The GATES of hell!"
Kiwi exclaims to Einstein_Guest, "i'm SO glad you asked!"
Kiwi asks, "Why don't i show the next slide?"
********* Kiwi: slide 2 on Slide Projector *********
MOO is an acronym for "MUD, Object Oriented." MUD stands for "Multi-User Dungeon," reflecting its origin as a form of the Dungeons and Dragons game (many teachers prefer to call it a multi-user dimenson or domain to avoide the stigmata of a game).
Proponents of the use of MOOs in the classroom comes from a wide variety of disciplines. Part of the attraction is that they allow for classes from different geographic regions to connect in real time. And, especially in writing-intensive courses, a large part of the attraction of MOOs is that they are text-based.
********* End *********
lamia says, "so, my problem with being in a room
with actual students is that I don't shut up long enough to read the screen"
Kiwi says to lamia, "i have the same problem"
lamia says, "I've just imposed a vow of silence on myself for the next
hour and a half"
Kiwi grins at lamia.
+----------------------------------------------+ Kiwi holds up a big sign: | Let Lori talk all she wants--we'll just | | ignore her :) | +----------------------------------------------+JudeTalk also grins at lamia
Nowadays there are many chat programs available
and course-in-a-box
applications that allow for students to "talk"
to each other online
without the steep learning curve that MOOs entail.
However, MOOs can also
be customized in ways that few chat rooms can
be. For example, this text
is being presented to you using a "generic object"
called a "slide
projector." There are many
generic objects available to MOOers, including
TV sets (yes, you can stage a TV documentary
in text!), bots (take a look
at the sleazy looking "Goddess" creature lurking
near the edge of the dark
side of the MOOn), and many other objects. Or,
with a little practice,
you can program your own verbs and objects.
********* End *********
Uranus_Guest says, "Which roller coaster are we all on? I'm having
a hard time reading the material that is flying by so quickly!" "
JudeTalk exclaims, "and typing answers fast enough!!!"
Kiwi says to Uranus_Guest, "that's a typical complain of newbies (what
"we" call people new to mooing"
Kiwi nods to JudeTalk.
lamia says, "one of the reasons I like this with students is that it
forces them to read the computer screen, which they typically do not do
naturally"
Kiwi says, "MOOing requires quick reading and writing skills--but it
will also help build them"
Einstein_Guest says, "You have to do eye exercises before you begin
playing in this MOO. "
Kiwi nods to lamia.
Kiwi grins at Einstein_Guest.
JudeTalk asks, "How do you keep people on task???"
Kiwi says to Einstein_Guest, "it gets even worse when you try this
with 20+ students in the room...."
lamia says, "another nice thing about it, from a composition point
of view, is that it forces the kind of stream of conciousness that prewriting
involves"
lamia says, "it can loosen writing muscles to get
us going on projects"
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "good question. The answer lies in how you design
the "task"--obviously "on task" cannot be defined here the same way it
can be in "meat space""
lamia says, "but it is also fun.. you can't NOT play in here..."
lamia says, "and part of that play evolves because you can't make a
straight line argument... things get confused and turned upside down"
Kiwi says to lamia, "Well, that's not quite true. Many teachers DO
want absolute power and control--and you can have it here if you really
want it"
Kiwi asks, "But why would you want it?"
lamia exclaims, "so, for those of us who take ourselves too seriously
(that would be you as well as me, Judette!!!) we have to lighten up!!"
Kiwi grins at lamia.
JudeTalk says, "I know, I know"
Uranus_Guest says, "Bull! it'snot about quickreading& writing skills,
rather it's about witticism & playful computer spaceaswellasoher things!""
Capricorn_Guest says, "Speaking of meat space, where are we going for
dinner tonight, ladies?""
Kiwi grins at Uranus_Guest.
JudeTalk says, "My vote is for Mountain Jacks..."
Kiwi asks, "I glanced at your blackboard.com site and noticed some
discussion about reading articles on Kairos?"
Einstein_Guest says, "That was George last night."
Kiwi says, "Reading online IS different from reading print--reading
here is different from reading WWW. One of you posted about the need to
teach students to read differently? "
Einstein_Guest asks, "What's Mountain Jacks...?"
Kiwi asks, "Yes, but who was it responded?"
JudeTalk exclaims, "Maybe an Ohio thing. Sorry!"
JudeTalk says, "I mentioned something today about Internet reading"
Kiwi says, "I liked the posting about needed to teach
students new/different reading skills. Technology IS forcing us to reconsider
what we mean by "literacy""
Einstein_Guest says, "I think I did... Monica"
Kiwi nods to JudeTalk.
lamia says, "I"
Uranus_Guest says, "Seriously,how does this 'mooing' work in large
classrooms?""
lamia says, "I'm still behind on email so I don't know who said what..."
lamia says, "Donna, we are in one room..."
lamia says, "there are zillions of rooms in here"
Kiwi says to Uranus_Guest, "It depends on what you want--you don't
have to all be in one room"
********* Kiwi: slide 4 on Slide Projector *********
TEACHING
MOOs lend themselves well to collaborative group
projects. Many MOOs welcome classes, and some even offer tutorials and
plenty of help to both teachers and students. Of course, teachers should
prepare to teach in these spaces by learning as much as they can in advance.
And, just as there are a wide variety of individual teaching styles and
content, so, too, there are a wide variety of differences in MOO teaching
styles and content.
Some URLs you might want to check out for more
information:
Kairos Cover Web at http://www.as.ttu.edu/kairos/2.1/coverweb/candf/intro.html
Teaching on Diversity University MOO at http://www.du.org/duinc/duteach.htm
Checklist for Teachers who are bringing classes
to Connections MOO at http://web.nwe.ufl.edu/~tari/connections/teachers_checklist.html
********* End *********
lamia says, "in a larte class, I divide students up into different
rooms"
Kiwi says, "All of these URLs (Internet addresses)
will be included on the log I'll post to the Web after our discussion today."
lamia says, "the urls Janice just gave to us are linked to our daily
grind page"
Kiwi says, "Some of them you may want to spend some time checking out"
lamia says, "well... I don't think I have the connection link... but
I have the rest"
lamia says, "and, Donna... you see that Janice has slides pre-done
for usj"
lamia says, "We can have the same kinds of things ready for our students"
Kiwi says to lamia, "I'll post this log tonight and send you the URL--so
you'll have all the links"
Kiwi nods to lamia.
Kiwi says, "Students can also create slides easily"
lamia says, "So that when they come to a MOO room, they have a discussion
topic on a slie"
Kiwi says, "And they can build their own rooms"
lamia says, "which they read, and then talk about"
lamia says, "they also go off to the pub and get beer and write on
the bathroom wall"
lamia asks, "which I hope we will be doing here....?"
Kiwi grins at lamia.
Kiwi nods vigorously in agreement with lamia's ideas.
Kiwi says, "ready for the next slide?""
JudeTalk asks, "do disciplines other than ENglish use Moos? What for?"
lamia says, "and one of my favorite MOO assignments of all time:"
Kiwi says, "I prepared these slides ahead of time, to make sure we
cover some stuff I wanted us to see"
lamia says, "we created character robots after read
Cassandra, Princess and Prophetess of Troy"
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "Absolutely. There's bioMOO, Zoo MOO, etc.,
etc., (biology, zoology, foreign language moos, theatrical moos....)"
lamia says, "the students had to program the robots with key words
that interpreted characters from the book"
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "even businesses use moos."
lamia says, "and these key words were also to be in dialogue with other
key words for other students' robots"
JudeTalk says, "Wow. Thanks."
********* Kiwi: slide 5 on Slide Projector *********
CONFERENCES
For most of us, conference attendance is an important fact of our lives. We value the opportunity to share our work with our peers, and we benefit greatly from learning about the work of our colleagues. Even the chance to socialize with others from our discipline is valuable. Unfortunately, the time and cost involved often limits us to one or two conferences a year--at best.
What if you could attend an important conference
without leaving your home or office? What if you could read the papers
in advance, and meet with the authors in real time to ask them questions
about their work? What if you had the chance to meet with colleagues and
discuss important issues in your field while sitting in your home office,
wearing your pajamas and babysitting the children? And, if you miss something
or need to review what was discussed, you could have a written log of the
discussion to refer to?
********* End *********
lamia says, "so that students collaborated to form what was much like
a performance of robots in the MOO"
Kiwi says, "These slides address some of the reasons to use MOOs. First
is conferences (well, first slide anyway!)"
JudeTalk asks, "How are these conversations saved?"
lamia says, "I personally like to use MOOs in classes because it forces
us to see the direct relation between language and world...."
Einstein_Guest asks, "Do you just email participants with room assignments
and times you'll be there?"
lamia asks, "for conferences or classes?"
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "in this case, we're in what's
called a "logging room"--the room itself is programmed to automatically
save the conversation and format it as a Web document (HTML)"
lamia says, "I actually put all of the information together on my website...
that way students can access it from any computer and not be dependent
on where they left their email..."
JudeTalk asks, "Where/how can we access it later?"
Capricorn_Guest says, "Judetalk and Einstein Guest are doing well,
while Uranus and I are at a loss for words.""
Kiwi comforts Capricorn_Guest.
Kiwi nods to lamia.
JudeTalk exclaims, "I played around with this before. All I really
know how to do in MOO is talk!"
lamia empathizes with Capricorn and Uranus...
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "Talking is a good start :)"
lamia smiles consolingly
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "because then you can ask for help :)"
lamia feels deeply for them...
********* Kiwi: slide 6 on Slide Projector *********
CONFERENCES (Cont'd.)
This year, NCTE hosted its first ever online conference,
TeacherFest (http://www.ncte.org/teacherfest).
For the past few years, the Computers and Writing Conference has had an
online component that has grown in importance (and attendance)! (See the
CW2K Online Conference Site at http://www.eaze.net/~jfbarber/cw2k/conf-online.html).
More and more conferences are moving online,
in whole or in part, and MOOs have provided a space for many of them. In
addition to conferences, there are real-time discussions that take place
regularly (usually weekly) for teachers, scholars, and interested others.
Tuesday Cafe is a weekly meeting of teachers,
scholars, graduate students, and others interested in the intersection
of teaching, technology, and, usually, writing and English studies. Meetings
are held at Connections MOO (http://bsuvc.bsu.edu/~gsiering/netoric/)
every Tuesday from 8-9pm.
C-Fest is a weekly discussion forum at Lingua
MOO (http://lingua.utdallas.edu:7000/256)
on issues involving computers and writing theory which meets every Wednesday
from 8-9pm
The Online Educators Resource
Group (OERG) meets at Diversity University MOO (http://www.du.org/duSvcs/OERG/)
on Sundays from 8-9pm.
********* End *********
JudeTalk says, "These sound like excellent resources"
Einstein_Guest says, ":oops"
lamia asks, "Donna, Caroline... what do you think?"
Kiwi exclaims, "As you can see, Tuesday Cafe is TONIGHT! If anyone
is interested, Lori can show you where you can download and install a "client"
program (Pueblo)--I'll add a link to it from this log--and you can join
us there tonight!"
lamia asks, "and Judette, where are you? Did you have to go to campus?"
Kiwi says, "The last slide I'll show (later) will tell you more about
tonight's Tuesday Cafe"
Kiwi says to lamia, "Who, me? I'm at home"
Kiwi has her coffee, cigarettes, and tv on
JudeTalk says, "No, actually, the home computer works right now"
lamia says, "NO , judette.. she's been having trouble w/her computer"
JudeTalk says, "The demon is sleeping today"
Kiwi says to lamia, ""
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "ah, that's why you were talking about microsloth"
Einstein_Guest asks, "Have any of you heard about the computer conference
going on today at the World Congress Center in Atlanta?"
lamia asks, "NO, is that a trade show?"
Kiwi says to Einstein_Guest, "no, hadn't heard about that."
Uranus_Guest says, "Why Tuesday...Tuesdays with (Moorie)Moo?""
Kiwi asks Einstein_Guest, "can you tell us more?"
lamia asks, "Hey, Janice, I have to go to Orlando
and Kash is coming with me... can you take care of my cats?"
Einstein_Guest says, "Darn, I was hoping you would know. I saw it mentioned
on tv this morning."
Kiwi says to Uranus_Guest, "Because it's Tuesday Cafe! "
Kiwi grins.
Kiwi says to Uranus_Guest, "there's tues cafe on tuesdays, oerg on
sundays, cfest on wednesdays.... Different groups, different MOOs, different
nights...."
lamia asks, "did you guys have a chance to read over the MOO prep I
linked for you while I was out paying my ticket?"
JudeTalk asks, "Digression: did the canoe trip happen this weekend?"
Kiwi exclaims to lamia, "Ticket? BAD lamia!"
lamia says, "No canoe trip... "
JudeTalk asks, "Why not?"
Einstein_Guest says, "Only canoe trip I went on this weekend was in
my neighbor's pool."
lamia says, "I think I can get my FL. license switched to a GA license
just before FL wouldl suspend me for too many points"
lamia says, "I never got a Cleveland license the whole two years I
was there..."
Uranus_Guest says, "Maybe not a canoe...but certainly a trip!""
JudeTalk says, "Whoa..."
lamia says, "I considered myself a visitor as I knew I would not permanently
relocate to snow.."
JudeTalk exclaims, "Don't knock our snow!"
Einstein_Guest says, "Next slide, please."
Kiwi says, "Ok, so MOOs can be used as teaching spaces. They can be
used as conference spaces (you've GOT to check on the Computers and Writing
Online Conference link!!). They can also be used for research....."
********* Kiwi: slide 7 on Slide Projector *********
RESEARCH
There has been a lot of research done on MOOs, and much of it is available online. In the last few years, articles in traditional (i.e., print) publications and conference presentations about MOOs have proliferated as well. In addition to conducting research ABOUT MOOs and MUDs, however, the abundance of material available in some of these spaces makes it possible to conduct research on wa wide variety of topics IN MOOs, as well. More and more, as students and teachers move into these virtual worlds, they are becoming sites for publication as well as for conversation.
Take a look at the Women's Collection of Electronic
Texts at http://moo.twu.edu:7000/424 at TWU (Texas Woman's University)
MOO.
********* End *********
Kiwi asks, "I don't know if Lori mentioned my book to you all?"
Einstein_Guest asks, "Is it free?"
Kiwi says, "It seems I accidentally did something....um....well, I
got a book out of whatever it was I did--quite by accident."
lamia exclaims, "of course i am plugging the columbia guide!!"
lamia exclaims, "we're linked to it and everything!!!"
Tue Jun 27 09:51:13 2000 PDT
Kiwi says, "My first semester in graduate school I had to take the
"course from hell"--bibliography for scholars"
lamia says, "as well as to all of your excellent documentation for
using this stuff..."
Kiwi says, "And we were required, of course, to cite everything in
"proper MLA format""
lamia says, "I figured, if you already wrote it, why not just link...."
Kiwi says, "But I had just discovered MOOs, and I wanted to learn more
about them, so I asked my professor if I could do my research on MOOs--and
he said yes."
Kiwi says, "Well, most of the information I found was online--this
was 1994, and there was little if anything published in print about MOOs
back then"
Kiwi says, "But MLA in 1994 didn't mention how to cite this "online
stuff""
Kiwi says, "SO I made something up...."
Kiwi says, "It's now _The Columbia Guide to Online
Style_ by me and Todd Taylor (Columbia UP, 1998)"
Einstein_Guest says, "Oh, are you the one we thank for that."
Kiwi says, "Since then, there has been a lot more information published
in print as well as online -- all of which needs to be cited correctly"
Kiwi blushes at Einstein_Guest.
Kiwi says to Einstein_Guest, "i'm the one to blame for it, yes."
JudeTalk says, "Can we each get a complimentary copy?>"
Kiwi grins at JudeTalk.
lamia says, "well, Janice keeps talking about her royalties..."
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "University presses are not very nice--they
don't give away much in complimentary copies--BUT you can all get a free
copy of one of my other books: It's called writing@online.edu"
JudeTalk says, "Hey, I'm probably using part of your article in my
thesis, lamia"
lamia asks, "which article?"
Kiwi says, "It's a little book designed to be used by writing classes
at any level to help navigate online--research, citations, etc."
Kiwi says, "Just email exam@awl.com and tell them you want an exam
copy of the book--as teachers, they'll be happy to send you one."
lamia says, "Caroline, donna... just let me know you are virtually
alive..."
JudeTalk says, "The one you mailed to me as an attachment--democracy,
gender, the Internet--unfinished at the time"
Capricorn_Guest says, "We're here!!""
lamia says, "Oh, good... I'll send the polished draft in a few days"
JudeTalk exclaims, "Thanks!"
lamia says, "Did Earl ever get anybody to take over the Shakespeare
site? "
lamia says, "Ohh. that was to Judette"
Kiwi asks, "Ok, so MOOs are used in teaching, conferences,
and research. Right?"
Capricorn_Guest says, "Donna, what do you think about all of this?""
JudeTalk says, "I have no clue"
lamia says, "ettiquette points.. Janice, you should cover those"
Uranus_Guest says, "I'm out of here...heading for the...back in a minute...if
that should give you any hints!""
lamia says, "like not joining until we are invited or ask permission.."
Kiwi grins at lamia.
lamia says, "I always break all of the ettiquette rules..."
Kiwi says, "Well, etiquette varies depending on the MOO"
Capricorn_Guest says, "I think it's about time for my smoothie.""
Kiwi says, "Educational MOOs, many of them, require that you provide
real life info about yourself"
JudeTalk says, "why? protection?>"
Kiwi says, "But basically, MOO characters are very privacy-minded.
"
lamia says, "if you type @who, you can see a full list of who is in
the moo and where they are"
lamia says, "and, you can type @join to join any character"
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "Well, partly protection. Partly because if
I wanted you to know something about myself, I'd tell you. All characters
here have a description property. You can see what I want you to know:
type: look kiwi"
Kiwi nods to lamia.
lamia says, "but sometimes, people are busy, so before we join them
we should ask permission"
lamia says, "Oh, right, let's describe ourselves."
Kiwi says, "You are NOT privy to information other than that here.
Where I'm from is my business, unless I choose to tell you. My "real-life"
gender is my own business. My age is.... well, type: @age kiwi"
Kiwi giggles.
lamia says, "Monica, you can just describe Donna for her while she's
out..."
lamia says, "you should all look at me... type look lamia"
Kiwi says, "To describe yourselves, type: @desc me as <whatever>
(don't type the < > ). Like @desc me as A beautiful person (regardless
of what I really look like!)"
Kiwi says, "if you have a character here, you are also automatically
a web page here"
Kiwi says, "Your web page will include your description"
Kiwi says, "It will be ugly text only unless you edit it, using the
MOO editor and HTML code"
JudeTalk asks, "How do you get to your webpage?"
Einstein_Guest says, "Kiwi, lami is talking again."
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "ok, every character and object in the MOO has
an object number. Yours is #8041 (you can find your object number by typing
@exam me)"
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "so, your web page here is the MOO address plus
your object number: http://damoo.csun.edu:8888/8041"
Kiwi thwaps Einstein_Guest.
Kiwi says, "Oops"
Kiwi exclaims to Einstein_Guest, "sorry--i meant to thwap lamia!"
Kiwi thwaps lamia.
Kiwi throws macadamia nuts at Kiwi
Capricorn_Guest says, "Why don't you set my description Lamia.""
JudeTalk exclaims, "Violence!!!"
Kiwi says to Capricorn_Guest, "you have to set your own description"
Kiwi grins at JudeTalk.
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "For some reason, people in MOOs hug a lot,
and kick and thwap a log...."
Kiwi shrugs.
Kiwi blushes.
JudeTalk asks, "Do they whack?"
lamia lamia pokes Kiwi
lamia lamia complains that she is thirsty
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "naw, it's not one of the social verbs here--but
you can write your own verbs"
Kiwi grins and dances around the room, whuggling and giggling.
Kiwi wrote her famous "toes" verb!
Kiwi giggles and wiggles her toes
JudeTalk asks, "Can I whack lamia? Since I'm at a safe distance?"
Kiwi pours water over lamia.
lamia petulantly flounces towards the exit, headed for the pub...
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "you can thwap her (just type thwap lamia)"
Kiwi says, "Don't follow her to the pub--I'm not done with my slides"
lamia thwap Kiwi.
Einstein_Guest says, "I thought this was a non-violent atmosphere."
Kiwi asks Einstein_Guest, "whatever made you think that?"
Kiwi tickles Einstein_Guest.
JudeTalk thwaps lamia.
Einstein_Guest giggles
Kiwi says, "There are "social verbs" that are pre-prgorammed. Type:
smile"
Einstein_Guest smiles.
JudeTalk smiles.
lamia says, "where do we get the list of social verbs"
Kiwi says, "Some verbs take "targets"--for instance, type: smile kiwi"
JudeTalk smiles at Kiwi.
Kiwi says to lamia, "type social--and be prepared for the screen to
move a LOT"
Uranus_Guest says, "I'm back...in case anyone notices...are we still
mooing?...Yipes, how long do we stay on this program?""
Einstein_Guest swipes her forehead
Kiwi grins at Uranus_Guest.
Kiwi wants to show the next slide now
********* Kiwi: slide 8 on Slide Projector *********
COMMUNICATION
Last, but certainly not least, it *is* possible to use MOOs simply as chat programs. Many teachers do just that--log their classes on as Guests, show them how to "talk," and hold class discussions online. However, the nature of these spaces is such that the class may soon usurp teacher authority (maybe that's partly why some teachers bring classes here in the first place!). Many teachers, however, do find themselves frustrated, at least at first, when students wrest control of the "big sign" verb or wander off to the Pub and get virtually drunk. (See "An Experience in Chaos" at http://www.cas.usf.edu/english/walker/papers/chaos.html). Some MOOs, like LinguaMOO for example, have found creative ways of ensuring orderly discussions, creating rooms that allow for moderated discussions or programming rooms where students must raise their hand to speak.
Large-group discussions can be difficult in any
medium, so MOOs allow for students to break up into smaller groups. A teacher
can post a paper on the Web and, by keeping two windows open (the MOO client
and a Web browser, for instance), students can discuss papers online or
in groups. With a little learning and a lot of imagination, teachers and
students can learn to build and program these spaces to suit their own
needs.
********* End *********
lamia nail Kiwi's foot to the floor.
Einstein_Guest says, "Slow down."
Kiwi grins at Einstein_Guest.
Kiwi says, "Many of my students tell me this helped them learn to type
faster :)"
JudeTalk says, "I see why"
Kiwi nods to JudeTalk.
Einstein_Guest says, "I can see that."
lamia flail around wildly for a couple of seconds, chanting and banging
our bongos. Finally we get a grip on ourselves and sit on the ground, smoking.
Kiwi eyes lamia.
lamia says, "hey, we should all try the social verbs..."
Kiwi rolls her eyes.
Kiwi tries a social verb
Kiwi farts.
Kiwi blushes.
Einstein_Guest scratches her head.
Kiwi says, "Okay, well, some of the social verbs aren't very nice...."
Kiwi giggles.
Capricorn_Guest says, "I think class discussion via Moo is an excellent
idea, especially for more introverted students like myself---and often,
i can express myself beeter in writing than orally---not that you could
tell that from this activity.""
Kiwi nods to Capricorn_Guest.
lamia says, "here' a cool exercise: students can print the social verbs,
practice with them, and script a MOO performance, where each student has
a series of lines.. the social verbs.. to type, and the verbs must enact
a string of actions/speech that comes together in a play"
Kiwi says to Capricorn_Guest, "some students do well
in this medium that don't in f2f, and vice versa"
JudeTalk says, "I agree with Capricorn_Guest"
Kiwi says, "I prefer to use a variety of media with students: f2f,
email, MOO, papers, small group discussions, individual conferences, etc."
Kiwi says, "That way I can try to get as many students as possible
to participate"
Einstein_Guest says, "I can see my high school students really getting
into this."
lamia twiddle our thumbs.
lamia nod vigorously.
Kiwi says, "One thing in particular I've noticed about taking students
to a MOO... The first time it's a good idea to just let them play--they
learn a lot more about it that way and get some of the "play" out of their
systems. But it also seems to bring the class together--more students seem
to participate in f2f discussions after they've mooed together."
Kiwi . o O ( a great segue to my next slide! )
********* Kiwi: slide 9 on Slide Projector *********
Many teachers have heard about "educational MOOs"
and come to these spaces expecting the MOO to do something miraculous--teach.
But MOOs are simply electronic virtual-reality environments. They do not
provide "education"; they merely provide a space where, if you and your
students are willing to invest the time, teaching and learning can take
place.
For more information, contact Janet Cross (hceng028@csun.edu)
at DaMOO, Cynthia Haynes (cynthiah@utdallas.edu)
at LinguaMOO, Jeanne McWhorter (Jeanne@du.org)
at Diversity University MOO, or Tari Fanderclai (tari@nwe.ufl.edu)
at ConnectionsMOO.
********* End *********
lamia exclaims, "right... it's very much like drinking together!!"
Einstein_Guest says, "This would make a nice reward activity for some
of them. They'd never know I was actually giving them a learning exercise."
Kiwi nods to lamia.
Kiwi says to lamia, "right--community building"
Kiwi grins at Einstein_Guest.
JudeTalk says, "You never drank with comp theory"
JudeTalk exclaims, "you just videotaped us!"
Kiwi says, "Okay, I've got one more slide to show, which is the invitation
(a LONG one) to tonight's tuesday cafe (but you're invited to come ANY
tuesday)"
lamia exclaims, "But I *would have * drunk with comp theory!! I *did*
COOK for you!!"
********* Kiwi: slide 10 on Slide Projector *********
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 21:24:32 CDT
From: tari@nwe.ufl.edu
To: Netoric_Announcements@Connections
Subject: Upcoming Tuesday Cafe discussion topic
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
--> NOTE SPECIAL MEETING LOCATION! <--
Join Netoric's Tuesday Cafe Discussion
June 27, 2000
8:00 p.m. EDT
in the Emersonian Lobby, on Connections
Topic:
Netoric Spotlight on John Walter's class's MOO
work
Haven't been to the Tuesday Cafe before?
Go to Netoric's Home Page:
http://bsuvc.bsu.edu/~gsiering/netoric/
You'll find information about the Netoric Project,
and links to helpsheets
for getting connected to and exploring Connections
as a guest.
Once you're connected to Connections and feel
oriented,
use this command to get to the session:
walk to Emersonian Lobby
-> Netoric's home page also has logs of Netoric events! <-
-> To join Netoric with a permanent Connections
character: <-
Email Tari, James, Greg, or Cindy (addresses
below). Say that you want a
Connections character in order to join the Netoric
Project. Give your
first and second choices for your character's
name and the email address
to which we should register your character and
send your new character
info. Or you're welcome to
log in as a guest and attend events that
interest you.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This week the Netoric Spotlight focuses on the
MOO projects done at
Connections by John Walter's Advanced Strategies
for Rhetoric and Research
class at St. Louis University, Spring 2000. Join
John as he shows you
around the students' rooms and talks about the
assignment and what the
students learned from it. If you've been thinking
about having your
students build in a MOO, or you've tried it and
would like another
perspective, this will be a great session for
getting ideas!
Please check out http://www.geocities.com/walterj.geo/emerson_moo.html
for
a look at the assignment John gave the class
and his reasoning behind it.
And then join us on Tuesday so you can see the
results and talk about them
with John.
Don't forget the special meeting location: the Emersonian Lobby.
* * * N E T O R I C * * *
Tuesday Cafe ------- Electronic Conferences ------
Special Events
http://bsuvc.bsu.edu/~gsiering/netoric/
Tari Lin Fanderclai, Akamai Technologies, tari@nwe.ufl.edu
James A. Inman, Furman University, james.inman@furman.edu
Greg Siering, Ball State University, siering@bsu.edu
Cindy Wambeam, New Mexico State University, cwambeam@nmsu.edu
Netoric_Announcements is the announcements-only
list for Netoric Project
news. If you want to join the list or be removed
from it, simply
email tari@nwe.ufl.edu.
********* End *********
Kiwi says, "As you can see, if you read that far, tonight John alter
from St. Louis University is going to talk about a class assignment in
a MOO he did with his students."
Kiwi exclaims, "John Walter, not alter!"
Kiwi thwaps Kiwi.
Kiwi says, "I also keep "online office hours" here at DaMOO every Friday
night from 8-9pm Eastern Time. You're always welcome to come join me then,
and I'll be happy to show you around, help you learn, take you to other
MOOs, or whatever you need"
Kiwi says, "And I've even been known to "help" teachers when they bring
their classes in here--just let me know and I'll try to be here :)"
Einstein_Guest says, "Time out...these women are going crazy over Ben."
Kiwi laughs at Einstein_Guest.
Kiwi exclaims, "That's cause Ben is such a cutie!"
JudeTalk asks, "Hey, I'm in Clevland. Who's Ben?"
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "Ben is our technology helper at Georgia Southern
for the Writing and Linguistics Dept."
Einstein_Guest says, "Ben is our techie."
Uranus_Guest says, "Janice, is James Inman (his family) from Myrtle
Beach, SC? Does he have a brother Larry?""
JudeTalk asks, "Is Ben loving the attention?"
Kiwi says to Uranus_Guest, "Hmmm, I'm not sure, but i can ask him.
He's at Furman U. now"
Kiwi asks JudeTalk, "whereabouts in cleveland? Cleveland U?"
Einstein_Guest says, "Sorry, I didn't notice that postings would interupt
others."
Kiwi says to Einstein_Guest, "that's okay--they're supposed to here
:)"
JudeTalk says, "Cleveland, Ohio; near Parma and OldBrooklyn"
Kiwi says to Einstein_Guest, "after you moo a while, you get very used
to "multi-threaded" conversations."
Uranus_Guest says, "Larry Inman was a close friend of my husband, in
fact he was in our wedding, just curious""
Kiwi says to Uranus_Guest, "I'll have to ask him tonight :) James is
a great guy--and a good friend of mine"
Kiwi exclaims, "My first MOO experience was at Tuesday Cafe in 1994.
I met a log of people there and on the listserv discussion from around
the country. Many of them were people whose books I'd been studying, and
I was so impressed!"
Kiwi says, "Then I went to CCCC in Washington DC
and got a chance to meet them irl (in real life)"
Kiwi exclaims, "It was an amazing experience: I'd never met these people
except online before, and we were all hugging each other!! Even people
like Cynthia Selfe and Gail Hawisher and Fred Kemp--and lowly little me--a
first semester MA student!!"
Kiwi smiles warmly, remembering.
Kiwi exclaims, "The Computers and Writing community is a great bunch
of people--and they (we) WANT to help!"
JudeTalk exclaims, "Wow. Can I be you for a day? That sounds great!"
Kiwi says, "We WANT to share our expertise, our ideas, our successes
and failures...."
Kiwi grins at JudeTalk.
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "Try and make the cafe tonight :) It"
Kiwi says, "It's a great group of people :)"
JudeTalk says, "I'll try. If the computer demon isn't awake"
Kiwi says, "Oh, and the ACW listserv is now dead--but we're moving.
Not sure where exactly, but it's a great resource--so I'll post the new
address(es) for Lori, too."
Kiwi smiles at JudeTalk.
lamia says, "Carolyn... check in..."
Kiwi exclaims to JudeTalk, "we all know about those demons, believe
me!"
Kiwi asks lamia, "which character is carolyn?"
JudeTalk smiles at Kiwi.
lamia lamia looks conernedly at Carolyn, whose eyes are glazing over...
Kiwi says to JudeTalk, "I'm almost always on email (jwalker@gasou.edu)
so if you can't make it, email me and I can always meet you here and show
you the logs from tues cafe"
lamia but is reassured by the tinkling sounds of her sweet laugh
Kiwi grins at lamia.
Capricorn_Guest says, "I, Caroline, am Capricorn."
Kiwi exclaims to Capricorn_Guest, "ah!"
Kiwi whuggles Capricorn_Guest.
lamia asks, "OK... do you want to brainstorm classroom uses of this
medium?"
lamia asks, "Hey, Judette... did you ever meet Debbie Kerner?"
Capricorn_Guest says, "Now explain "whuggling" to me please."
lamia says, "We did her M.A. defense in this MOO in October..."
Kiwi says to lamia, "I think that would be a good idea--but save time
for the pub"
JudeTalk says, "The name's familiar, but no"
lamia says, "I think Ted and Glending thought it was freaky..."
Kiwi says, "The first ever online dissertation defense was held at
Lingua MOO--it was Dene Grigar's dissertation."
JudeTalk smiles at lamia.
lamia says, "OK-- we're out o her in 25 minutes... if we're going to
the pub we got to get..."
JudeTalk asks, "are you going to a "real" pub?"
Kiwi was once interviewed about stuff (I forget what) by a reporter
from the Chronicle of Higher Education who joined us at an OERG meeting
at Diversity University MOO (I think it was)
Kiwi exclaims to JudeTalk, "no, a virtual one -- so you can have a
drink with us!"
JudeTalk says, "Virtual alcohol is all I can handle"
Kiwi says, "Ok, to get to the pub, we'll go to the "hub" and then walk
from there."
Einstein_Guest says, "Lamia is going at it again."
Kiwi says, "The main room of any moo is usually #11
(just type @go #11)"
+----------------------------------------------+ Kiwi holds up a big sign: | type: @go #11 | +----------------------------------------------+JudeTalk teleports out.
27 June 2000
URL=http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/jwalker/MOO/moolog.html