MOO vs. Skype in online classes about
writing, and how it relates to this business of dogs
I must say the MOO reminds me of my first
experiences in internet chat-rooms in high school in like 1998. While
poking around MOO I saw that it was founded on May 9, 2000, which seems
about right. It is amazing to me how far digital interactively has come in only
a decade. There are currently so many robust technologies to stay in touch with
friends, family and coworkers that provide an environment that rivals face-to-face
interaction.
Skype
and FaceTime have revolutionized remote interactions on personal and
professional levels, as have webinar technologies for remote presentations. Technologies
that integrate multiple sensory platforms are more likely to appeal to and
reach a wider audience of learners.
My
last TTU writing class employed audio skype and freescreensharing.com for
visuals. The combination of these
two free technologies is a very similar experience to Citrix Go to Webinar,
where all participants can speak and share their screens. This was my first
course at TTU and I was very pleased with the platform and how it facilitated
the learning environment. While the focus of this course and the last course is
composition, by in large I find verbal interaction most effective to improve
composition. I think it is widely acknowledged that misunderstand more often
occurs when communication is pared down, as in email. Composition is
communication and the more sensory modes that are integrated into the learning
process lead to a richer and more effective environment.
I
have also taken asynchronous writing courses at Austin Community College, where
there was no interaction with classmates or the instructor. These courses were
focused on grammar and editing and the asynchronous format was acceptable
because the materials were rules based rote learning, therefore a self-paced
non-collaborative class format fit the subject matter.
I
also have extensive experience with Citrix Go to Webinar as part of American
Medical Writers Association. I am president of the Southwest Chapter, which
encompasses Texas and the states that touch it. The large geographic area makes
it difficult to include all members at a meeting at any specific location.
Moving our meetings to dual in-person and webcast has greatly increased
participation in chapter events by allowing non-locals to attend meetings in
real time, as well as those who are busy with other obligations during the
event, but would like to view the event at a later time.
While
many of my classmates indicated that they like the MOO format, for various
reasons such as: not getting dressed, interruptions, I find it detached,
truncated and discursive. These feelings could also be partially due to
unfamiliarity with the subject matter and format – both of which may grow on me
with time. Or they could be due to a familiarity and expectation of other
richer more interactive formats available. Only time will tell.
How
this relates to anonymity and abnormal discourse…. Personally I dislike anonymity – don’t see the point of hiding yourself or your views in a country that supports and grows from free speech. Abnormal discourse is necessary because it allows the challenge of
authority and of knowledge or practices that may be unproductive.
My dogs only have one business and
that is sleeping.
Dog Stars!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, the dog days of summer!
From Dictionary.com:
dog days (noun) - 1.) the sultry part of the summer, supposed to occur during the period that Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun: now often reckoned from July 3 to August 11.
2.) a period marked by lethargy, inactivity, or indolence.
That dictionary.com editor must be a Texas Tech graduate, eh.....using "reckoned," who does that?
Definition 2) could also apply to writer's block - Ha!
Thoughtful post Hilary. Just as writing is seen as a personal, unique act, using technology like the MOO and Skype can also be seen from this perspective. For instance, you typically use your computer alone whether writing or attending class. You may write a sentence down and then edit it on the fly... in either your word processing software or your MOO/Skype chat window. While doing either, you might also find that you to talk aloud to yourself or the dog, or worse yet - to your computer (like we ALL haven't done that!).
Interestingly, we don't typically have many interactive meeting sessions at work, although we have tons of teleconferences. Also, "The Man's" corporate firewall contributes to challenges in setting these up. I'm on a small work group talking with vendors about a new Content Mgmt. Sys and multi-modal publishing capability and we've had more "screen sharing" product demos in the last 2 months, than the previous two years. So maybe this indicates a niche where this technology is a better means of communication - Sales.
Happy 4th!
You might share your ideas about Citrix with Dr. Brian Still. We're interested in moving in that direction in our TCR program, but we've had difficulty with administration trying to do so. I like your notes about the value of synchronous over asynchronous for the type of course that you're taking now.
ReplyDeleteThere's a concept called media-naturalness theory which suggests that the more "natural" a communication situation (such as it approximates face to face), the less likely there is to have ambiguity in the situation. Following that theory, Skype (with audio or even video) approximates f2f better than MOO (text only). Still, for some, the semi-anonymous nature of MOO over Skype, as you've indicated, can be useful to getting something out of a class. In fact, sometimes "known anonymity" (that is, the same anonymity every week), maximizes voice (Elbow) but understanding of the discourse community (Bartholmae) and responsibility. It is planned flexibility. Thinking about ways to give room to students to dedicate time needed (and the amount of time is different for every student) to build ideas, etc., before sharing them, is important. For me, text does that better than audio and video, where you're more immediately transparent or on the spot. For me, with online classes, I believe the cognitive development or "aha moments" are more developed with text, with grad students taking rhetoric courses, ultimately..