Expanding Classroom Boundaries

Using collaborative technologies invites students to refine their ideas as part of the composing process. Extending classroom conversations gives students opportunities to discuss course concepts, compare understandings, ask questions, make connections, and generate ideas for papers and further discussions. It does this through a medium which promotes conversation, communal sharing, and critical thinking, as well as break down some communicational boundaries that present themselves in normal classroom discussions.

E-mail Conversations

E-mail is becoming a universal means of communication. You can usually find e-mail addresses for authors and others who may be willing to communicate with students.

Advantages:

  • The common use of e-mail by many
  • Easy to keep in touch
  • Some (many) students already know how to use e-mail
  • Instructors can invite those outside of a class to join the discussion

Disadvantages:

  • Non-archived conversations
  • Messages at the mercy of individual receiving them
  • Learning curve to create aliases and group mailings

Example:

  • LBS 133
  • In conjunction with assignments - engage text, prepare for discussion, extension activity
  • Archives "conversation"
  • Becomes a text for the class
  • Allows instructors to gauge how students are doing with materials
  • Live audience and real conversation with authors and others outside of class

Listservs

Listservs are mailing lists that allow e-mail messages to be sent instantly to any number of people. All members of a class can instantly be contacted and threads of conversation can be followed by the class.

Advantages:

  • The common use of e-mail by students
  • Ease of sending messages - no aliases
  • The ability, as an instructor, to instantly contact all the students in the class

Disadvantages:

  • Messages at the mercy of individual receiving them
  • Doesn't allow for small group conversations

Uses:

  • Small groups take the lead in discussion, while the rest of the class follows along
  • Journals - Students interaction with class material before class
  • Student Interaction - react to the comments of others
  • Extending class discussion after class
  • Guest Speakers and remote access to class
  • House Keeping Aid for Instructors

Forums

Forums are places where instructors and students can post messages and respond to the thoughts of others. Unlike listservs that utilize e-mail to post messages, forums utilize web pages on the world wide web.

Advantages:

  • Messages organized
  • Messages archived for further comment and review
  • Can be accessed with a browser connected to Internet
  • Reduce paper exchange for students and instructors
  • Reduces in-box clutter and the chance of deleted messages

Disadvantages:

  • Higher learning curve for students and instructors

Uses:

  • Online debates; class is divided into teams, given deadlines for posting a pro and con side, then critque each side's argument
  • Student Introductions - example from Computers and Writing: HyperRhetoroids course
  • Students respond to class materials and questions posed by instructors
  • Peer Response of Papers
  • Small Group Conversations
  • The ability to post different "threads" offer a variety of ways to organize conversations (i.e., each student can post a main "thread" and then peers respond)
  • Journals
  • Online Portfolios
  • FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Chat Rooms

Chat Rooms allow multiple people to occupy a virtual environment and engage in "synchronous" conversation. Like forums, chat rooms are simply web pages that are accessed via the world wide web through any browser.

Advantages:

  • Conversations and messages archived
  • Overcomes some conversational barriers
  • Allows multiple threads of conversation
  • Accessibility
  • Reduces in-box clutter and the chance of deleted messages
  • Lower learning curve than forums

Disadvantages:

  • Starting Conversations
  • Controlling Conversations
  • Conversational fragmentation and motion sickness

Uses:

  • Alternative Conversations - New Dynamic
  • Conversational Starters
  • Asynchronous conversational space on class materials
  • Small group/project group meeting place
  • Communal creative writing
  • Peer response
  • Virtual office hours

MUDs & MOOs

A MUD is a Multi-User Dimension (or Domain or Dungeon) and a MOO is a MUD that is also Object Oriented (Multi-user domain that is Object Oriented). They are multi-user text-based virtual realities accessible via the Internet. Two of the major differences between MUDs and MOOs and other types of Internet-based communication tools are that "events" and "discussions" occur in "real-time" (i.e., synchronous) and give students a sense of place/space. So communication in these spaces differs from communication in the more static spaces of e-mail and listservs.

While both MUDs and MOOs are a shared environment where diverse groups of people can go to talk, create and collaborate, MOOs are especially popular for educational purposes. MOOs include a built-in programming language that can be used to create entirely new objects. Some argue that the ability of users to construct new objects is as important as the ability to communicate in this virtual environment.

Advantages:

  • Decentered Authority
  • Many people can participate in conversation at once (synchronous)
  • Sense of "being there" - people tend to participate in conversation more if this sense is conveyed
  • Sense of virtual space that mimics the real world - students can visualize themselves in a "real" space described by the MUD/MOO
  • Text-based and Immerses students in language - so especially effective for language learning
  • Some MOOs/MUDs permit the use of generic tools, like a slide projector, recording device, classroom, notice board, lecture (allows prepared lecture to be delivered)
  • Because of possible anonymity, may be "safe" place to discuss sensitive topics
  • Ability of students to construct objects in MOOs creates opportunity for shared activity
  • Encourages collaboration

Disadvantages:

  • Takes time to learn some commands if telnet based
  • Disorientation
  • Possibility of playing an anonymous character may lead to inappropriate behavior or interaction

Uses:

  • Role playing scenarios
  • Synchronous discussions and debates
  • Office Hours
  • Student - Teacher Conferences
  • Small Group Work
  • Practice Learning and Using a Foreign Language
  • Practice Learning and Using English as a Second Language
  • Deliver Lectures
  • Deliver Conference Presentations
  • Individual or Group Presentations

Examples:

Language Learning MOOs