A4- Cririquing
an Educational Book
SEYS 753-A4- 4/7/13
Basic information:
* MOOniversity: A
Student's Guide to Online Learning Environments
* Boston: Allyn
& Bacon (2000)
* Introduction to
basic learning a virtual reality computer programs to enhance
communicational skills and writing
Goals of the book: The goal of
this book is to teach any one how to become a faster, better
writer using the moo program, and to communicate effectively
using its hi-tech interdisciplinary virtual programs. MOO stands
for Multi-User Domain Object Oriented. Moo is an online
interactive net-working program with chat rooms as a different
form of communicating with others. The moo program(s) is a
system that is part of a global internet society. It is an
alternative electronic learning and social environment. Moo
consists of computer programs that allow local to global
multiple communications occurring at the same time. The goal of
mooing is for individuals to become part of a virtual world as
they learn computer communicational skills and writing. This
book teaches how to use moo programs already available, how to
interact with moo and with others, how to create objects and
rooms, and even create moo programs. The accessibility to enter
and start mooing all one needs is to have a gate-way to the
internet. It is a revolutionary way of looking at oneself as a
citizen within the internet.
MOOniversity
is geared toward college students, professors and educational
writers. However, education moo can be used at a secondary level
with careful planning. The educational interaction media can be
used as a classroom setting, as an after school networking
connection, and other professions. The encore classroom is a
program that moo uses for educational purposes; found @ Lingua
moo encore-based. There are others that Telnet provides for
simplest programs. However, as an avid user is best to use a
more stable moo client program, such as UNIX (for universities)
and Macintosh. These are recommended for less or no brakes or
interruptions during textual writing in moo.
Moo
is also used as a social hang-out place, when people can not
meet face to face. It is a connection that 100’s of people can
view you as well as you view them. One can use moo as a guest or
member called players. The interactive objects are called
properties and verbs are active commands to moos virtual world.
To upload moo programs Java, JavaScript, and cookies are needed.
Personal computers connect to the main moo computers drive:
caution- all personal information is stored and available to
other moo users. The author’s do warn about the frustrations
when first using this virtual program, especially generations
that are not used to computer writing to communicate and first
time users. The authors also recommend doing most of text
editing offline because moo can crash losing text work. To
become proficient to mooing one must learn and practice a lot
and become familiar with how to use the verb command words; for
moo does not work without them. For example, in editing to
change a period to a comma must type in a verb command to do so,
as well as other commands such as moving objects and exploring
rooms.
Strengths:
* This
book states the pros and cons when using moo. It also gives web
addresses to moo domains (programs-enCore base and Telnet).
* At
the end of each chapter there are exercises to use with moo
online.
* It
has an index and glossary for referencing in using moo programs
and commands.
* Can
use moo in a non-interacting mode, i.e. editing
text.
* A
different way of learning computer language using active words
and becoming computer literate.
*
Become more of a proficient writer and learn to write as fast as
one thinks.
* Can
be used for individuals who have a disability, but are able to
use the computer to communicate and learn.
* While
interacting with others one can also multitask—write emails and
receive them, chat with others all while editing text or paper.
* All
interactions are recorded—can go back if something was missed.
* Moo
keeps and tracts learning, evaluations and assessments.
*
Students can connect to class lectures, educational study
groups, and meetings if unable to attend.
* Moo
language learning for new language learners, such as ELL
collaborating on moo and learn the language faster through
writing.
* As
part of a citizen in moo registrar players (members) can extend
community by building rooms and objects: Collaborating in
expanding moo world. Must ask and get permission by moo
administrators’.
* Can
become a programmer.
* Can
create a massive list for emails, assignments, memos, news, and
information that can be shared at a massive level.
Weaknesses:
*
Players can be subjected to identity theft, and harassment.
* Need
to get used to not only to computer writing but also using moo
commands and this can be frustrating; especially when writing
papers and having a time constant in getting work done.
* First
time users can easily get lost. There are different programs and
each has their own rooms with objects called properties and to
move them and yourself there are the many verb commands.
* Need
lots of practice, and experience; so it becomes time consuming.
* One of
the downside of moo is when one is hooked on a particular chat
room the program interconnects with other rooms that may not be
of the same interest and may interrupt the people in that room.
*
Programs do not stay the same. They are subject to change:
deleted/discontinued or have add-ons with new commands, rooms,
and objects.
Implications for education in general, and for science
education:
* There
is no face to face contact. Therefore, no human contact.
* You
are interacting in a virtual computer world; where you are
typing your way through communication instead of taking.
* The
rooms are open sources and anyone can enter interrupting a
meeting or class. This can be a problem in a science class
during lessons/lectures.
*
Younger students may just use it as a recreational chat room
instead of doing work.
* There
may be some harassment(s) a player may encounter, which is
recommended to record and report it to the administrators.
* Moo
administrators can locate you, close your account and ban you if
there are any inappropriate behaviors, even if it was a mistake.
Especially, in moo education because of their stricter policies
and profiles (the players) are more real than just entering as a
guest to play games or chat.
How might you use what
you've learned in your use of technology in your teaching:
As I embark in my new educational career technology will certainly
be part of my teaching strategies. As we all know technology is
part of our everyday lives. It has become like all things a habit
that none can live without, as participants in a more advanced
world; just like when they invented the telephone and T.V.;
eventually everyone was hooked. As a high school teacher to expand
technology in my classes’ students will learn and use the
different aspects of internet interactions and communication.
Nowadays there are many programs, such as moo, and other
suggestions in using technology in teaching. The possibilities in
using technology are endless. The following are some of the
methods and strategies in integrating technology as part of
teaching and learning:
Students can create a live documented portfolio, and
journals
* Besides powerpoints- can add or create videos
to go along with lessons.
* Have students interact with the computer to
learn, such as educational games.
* Students can connect to scientists to learn
about the science community, and current scientific news.
* Virtual learning for those students who are
unable to attend class.
* With moo can play games, such as scavenger
hunt using it rooms and objects to go along with the lessons.
* Local or global educational net-working among
teachers, students, and other scientists.
* Cooperative learning- students can
collaborate in science research papers and science projects.
To check out moo as a guest or get involved and become a moo
citizen use link below (copy and paste to your
browser). http://moo.terrace.qld.edu.au/moo/MOOguide/BeginGuide.htm
Reference- Holmevik, J, R., & Haynes, C. (2000). MOOniversity:
A student's guide to online learning
environments. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
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