10-10session
-- Start log: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 2:07:14 pm AlaMOO time --

Lennie says, "Well were on. Bill, are you teaching an online course right now."
BillM_[Guest] says, "I make use of the control panel recorders and mics. Do you as well?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "To your question..."
Lennie says, "I don't think I know about using the moderated room enough yet. Is that what you are talking about?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "I think so. It's been so long since I set it up...... Yes, I'm teaching a course now, but not at this moment. It's scheduled for two evenings a week."
Lennie says, "An online course?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "It is totally on the MOO. (Although I fudge a little and meet with them the first evening to go over the syllabus and intro the MOO. After that, I never see them in person. And I (choose to) know them only by the MOO names they pick for themselves. They are anonymous."
Lennie says, "That sounds interesting! Do many of the students choose pseudonyms or do they use their own name?"
Lennie says, "I did have a topic I was going to use as an opener--What do you do about providing "student services" like tutoring, library instruction, or counseling help for you online students"
BillM_[Guest] says, "They all choose pseudonyms. I tell them to. I think the anonymity helps their discussions. Frees them up. As does adopting different genders, descriptions, etc. They do email me assignment papers under their real names, but with the instruction that they are not to at all refer to their MOO names."
Lennie says, "Or should I say, what does your institution do?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "Now, your question...."
Lennie says, "That is really interesting, and must make the interaction amongst themselves more engaging."
BillM_[Guest] says, "The course readings are posted on our library reserve room electronic reserve, thereby being accessible online."
BillM_[Guest] says, ""We really don't provide any other services."
BillM_[Guest] says, "But let me set the course..."
Lennie says, "Tutoring on demand?"
Lennie says, "I'm only asking because I've been promoting this MOO as a means for providing some real-time assistance for distance ed students. "
BillM_[Guest] says, "It is a general education course, one of a number from which each senior must choose one before graduating. It is not linked to any major, nor can it meet any other requirement. So curricular advising isn't an issue."
Lennie says, "I guess since I'm at a Community College the need for some of the basic educational services is greater."
BillM_[Guest] says, "The intimacy of a MOO should make it useful for real-time assistance. In effect I do this since I'm available while they are in their discussion groups. I'm always being called to talk about something. Plus we interchange MOOmail."
BillM_[Guest] says, "Would you do group advising/counseling as well, on the MOO?"
Lennie says, "I think some teachers though just let their students fend for themselves, rather than trying to provide access to some assistance say in how to use the library. "
Lennie says, "We luckily are not required as instructors to do any advising. But we have a host of counselors who I have not been able to get see the potential of the MOO at all."
BillM_[Guest] says, "Since my students are all seniors they have had such help already."
Lennie nods
Lennie says, "Well, I'm interested in your course via the MOO."
Lennie says, "Do you have students create spaces in the MOO for projects?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "One of my areas is Action Research. I've adopted some of the activities from it to the MOO--team building, etc."
Lennie says, "Action Research. Sorry, but you might have to get me up to speed."
Lennie says, "I'm familiar with Cooperative Learning."
BillM_[Guest] says, ""I encourage building. Most build a room for themselves. Many build extensively. My assignments have't yet involved building, other than a note or so."
BillM_[Guest] says, ""To your question....."
Lennie says, "Do you make use of VASE or not?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "Action Research can also be considered organizational deveopment--working with groups. As well as group dynamics--as with pesonal growth groups."
Lennie says, "Sounds interesting. What is your field again. I'm an English instructor."
BillM_[Guest] says, "I don't have access to VASE with 2.0.4. I've used it on Achieve MOO from Toronto and like it. I look forward to using it."
Lennie says, "VASE looks really good, but I haven't noticed many people using it at other MOOs (except at Achieve)."
Lennie says, "I teach a Basic English II class via the internet, and I want to use the MOO, but I'm a bit wary of overwhelming them technologically."
BillM_[Guest] says, "My field is tough to describe. By Telecommunications, my School means electronic mass media. I've taught primarily screenwriting for film and TV (I have a book out on it). Plus Critical/Cultural Theory at the Ph.D. level. "
Lennie gives a big wow.
Lennie says, "How do you help students get over the initial MOO shock when they enter a MOO?"
BillM_[Guest] says, ""I've also had an interst in subjectivity, the self and consciousness. The course I teach is Media, Culture, and Identity. The Identity emphasis fits a MOO perfectly since they can experientially experiment with identity in their groups as well as by visiting other MOOs."
Lennie says, "Sounds like a fun class. What is your students' favorite MOO to visit?"
Lennie says, "I certainly have been "feeling" how my current sense of self has been refashioned by the events of the last month, and a lot of it has come through the media."
BillM_[Guest] says, "It is a shock for some. The first in person meeting helps. A few drop the course. They are visiting social MOOs now. They have trouble since on educ MOOs, there are few people around. On social MOOs it is often hard to get the regulars to talk with them. I refer them to Rachel's MOOlist and have them pick their own. Lambda is popular (a former TA of mine is often on it)."
Lennie says, "Great."
BillM_[Guest] says, "How do you teach on the internet not using the MOO? I'm wondering."
Lennie says, "Do you use the integratedness of the MOO with the web to display media to your class?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "No, that, and copyright problems, are major reasons why I can't push for more of our courses on the MOO. We use a lot of video in classes, and run smack into rights. Even for the library electronic reserve, I was told not to use a full chapter. I don't if that's been modified a bit now, but that was supposedly over the line."
Lennie says, "Bummer."
BillM_[Guest] says, "Really."
Lennie says, "Well, I've enjoyed comparing notes with you and I appreciate your coming. Do you think we should call it?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "I will say, the students respond very well to the course. They may not be crazy about the subject matter--they read cognitive science stuff as well as MOO readings and social conditioning readings. But they like the fact that they can freely interact. It's always mentioned that many students talk more than they would in anohter class. And they develop strong friendships with their group members--climaxing in a RL meeting at the course's end."
BillM_[Guest] says, "Sure, it's been nice meeting you. Good luck with your MOO plans. There's something there for education, and it can only get technologically better."
Lennie says, "Sounds really good. I've been teaching for years in a computer classroom, and I definitely see more interaction amongst the students."
Lennie says, "Thanks for coming. I enjoyed talking to you. How would I visit your MOO?"
BillM_[Guest] says, "Unfortunately you can't since it's closed to all but class members. But I'd be happy to show you around sometime--put you temporarily on the class roster. A good time to come would be when the student rooms and objects are up. Like before our Thanksgiving quarter end. You can contact me at miller@ohio.edu."
Lennie says, "OK, I will. "
Lennie says, "Take care."
BillM_[Guest] says, "You as well."

-- End log: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 2:36:40 pm AlaMOO time --