SESSION 15-A

Non-verbal, text-based communication on the Web: miscommunication and text-based virtual reality - some pitfalls and proposed solutions

NETEACH Nook
------- ----
A spacious classroom with a comfortable, lived-in feeling to it. Someone has put up at least one nice decoration: a world map with brightly colored push pins showing where NETEACHers have connected from. So far, there are pins in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, Greece, UK, Brazil, Israel, Canada, France, Germany, and all over the US.

You see green [Guest], Markus, Lesley, Godzilla, Gregor, Debab, Torachan, Dasha, Bronzed_Aussie, and Smoody standing about.
You see Teacher's Desk, Big Table, Bulletin Board, Beanbags, Fireside Bearskin, Kitchen Table, Wading Pool, and Hot Tub.
You see LCD Panel.
Markus asked Jo, the PA of CMP, to take note of this meeting.
Markus seems to be preparing some material for OHP now.

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

MiscomMOOnication: How did you mean that? Did you mean *that*?
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 - INDEX OF TRANSPARENCIES
.......................
2 - Welcome to this NETEACH - Session
3 - Introductions :-)
4 - The problem of text-based comMOOnication
5 - Example A: MOOing skills (tech problems)
6 - Example B: Linguistic/Cultural problems
7 - Example C: Ambiguity/Multiple threads
8 - Strategies to reduce miscomMOOnication
9 - Reminder ;-)
-------------------------------
If you want to see any of these transparencies again later,
type PEEK IN DP ... PEEK 1 IN DP will show you this Index.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For today's NETEACH session you should look simultaneously at this URL:

http://halley.yadata.com.br/schMOOze/neteach/nonverbal.html

Please switch back to schMOOze at least every 2 or 3 minutes!

Gregor says, "Yikes, more than a screen!"
Mehitabel is going to try to join you.
Mehitabel has arrived.
Mehitabel says, "Hi."
Godzilla says "Hi!" to Mehitabel.
Mehitabel says, "Sorry I'm late. I was eating dinner."
Flemmex whooshes in like a..um...whooshing...thing.
Gregor [to Markus]: If it's OK, I'd like tolash the neteach moo copyright thing...
Flemmex aplologises for being late
Bronzed_Aussie says, "oh God, another Aussie!"
Gregor says, "Oops, to FLASH."

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Welcome to NETEACH-L's MOO discussion sessions!

(with much appreciation to schMOOze University
and its fine players, programmers, and wizards!)

Please note! Our sessions are always logged.
By participating, you give permission to Greg Younger to allow
access to the transcripts for research purposes at his discretion.
Before using any part of our logs for research or publication, please
obtain the permission of Greg Younger at youngerg@colorado.edu

For a transcript, please see our web page:
http://spot.colorado.edu/~youngerg/netmoo.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
Flemmex says, "and for pinching your verb greg"
Dasha smiles.

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

*** INTRODUCTIONS ***

You are of course welcome to remain anonymous, but at this time
we invite all of you who wish to do so to identify yourselves by
your name and affiliation.

LESLEY = Lesley Shield - Open University (UK)
GODZILLA = Larry Davies - Nagoya University (Japan)
MARKUS = Markus J. Weininger - UFSC (Brazil)

We are your hosts today and welcome you all to this session!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
Gregor is Greg Younger from the Economics Institute in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Torachan says, "Steve Jenks Doshisha International High School"
Mehitabel is Julie Falsett from Hunter College, New York.
green [Guest] says, "I'm Greg Mateshon and I'm teaching at Soonchunhyang (Sunchenhyang) U in Korea"
Dasha is Dasha Frangie at Wayne State University in Detroit, MIchigan
Flemmex says, "MF""
Gregor [to Mehitabel]: No you're not.
Debab is Deborah Healey from Oregon State University
Smoody is Suzan Moody from Chinese University of Hong Kong
Mehitabel says, "I'm not?"
Gregor points to Mehi's spelling of her own name. ;o)
Markus is very happy you all made it to this session and hugs you welcome!
Lesley says, "The time in the heart of England is now 1:13 a.m. on Saturday"
Flemmex has no local echo, but its Mex Butler from Australia
Markus says, "let me show you the program we prepared before I pass the word to Lesley."

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

The problem of text-based comMOOnication
----------------------------------------
Communicating via a text-based medium means that the message sent is not
necessarily the message received - even more often than in face-to-face
situations. We are probably all aware of MOOing occasions on which we have
unintentionally either caused or been caused offence, confusion or
embarrassment.

There seem to be three main reasons for miscomMOOnication:

- MOOing skills (technical problems)
- Linguistic/cultural differences
- Ambiguity / multiple threads / lag

We would like to ask you now to contribute with your own experiences of
'gaffes' (funny or tragic), caused by one of these problems.

To add an example to the blackboard in this room, please type now:

writeb

Torachan writes on the blackboard...
Gregor says, "Wait!"
Gregor cleans the blackboard with a soapy sponge...
Gregor says, "OK, now. ;o)"
Torachan says, "hey!"
Markus smiles at Gregor.
Torachan writes on the blackboard...
Markus couldn't do that as he's no trusted user in this classroom...
Godzilla writes on the blackboard...
Debab writes on the blackboard...
Torachan says, "that was a funny one I felt that lesley was mad at me for weeks..."
Markus smiles at Torachan.
Gregor writes on the blackboard...
green [Guest] writes on the blackboard...
Gregor notes that the embarassing !!! output is now gone.
Markus writes on the blackboard...
Dasha is glad to know that one, Gregor!!!
Mehitabel nods.
Bronzed_Aussie nods.
Debab writes on the blackboard...
Dasha says, "I couldn't explain it to my students."
green [Guest] says, "what are we writing here? One word? 20 woreds?"
Smoody writes on the blackboard...
Markus [to green [Guest]]: you can write as much as you like ;-)
Godzilla [to green [Guest]]: Whatever helps to clarify what you see as a problem...
Godzilla [to green [Guest]]: that'll do.
Lesley suggests adding to the blackboard throughout the session
Lesley . o O ( How come the system has such a frightful lag!? )
Markus nods at Lesley.
Mehitabel writes on the blackboard...
Markus writes on the blackboard...
Debab has disconnected.
Godzilla . o O ( That's a mighty BIG blackboard! )
Dasha writes on the blackboard...
Dasha [to Godzilla]: It grows.
Godzilla [to Dasha]: heh heh
NOJ [Guest] has disconnected.
A campus caretaker arrives, and escorts NOJ [Guest] to bed.
Gregor says, "About mispages... I read abou;a guy on another MOO who made his alias "i" so that people would accidentally send him pages by forgetting to put in a name. He would then post the funny things he overheard out of context on a mailing list in the MOO."
Flemmex tries to cope
Lesley says, "Sorry, ISP crash"
green [Guest] writes on the blackboard...
Flemmex can't see properly and is consumed with frustration and stuff
Gregor writes on the blackboard...
Mehitabel [to Gregor]: That guy was evil.
Markus hands Mex a pair of his spare glasses and hopes they'll be of some use.
Flemmex is going to try logging in again since this is almost useless
Gregor [to Mehitabel]: He didn't post names, but yes, it was pretty twisted.
Lesley has forgotten how to put stuff on the blackboard - help!
How strange - only moments ago Flemmex was standing right next to you. Now there is only a tell-tale whisp of ginger fur feathering its way to the ground.
Flemmex has disconnected.
Gregor [to Lesley]: writeb message
Lesley thanks Gregor profusely.
Smoody writes on the blackboard...
Lesley writes on the blackboard...
Gregor bows chanteusely.
Markus is happy to see you brought a lot of examples.
green [Guest] says, "type 'writeb '"
The housekeeper arrives to cart Debab off to bed.
Godzilla says, "OK, We'd like to show everyone a couple of gaffs that we've experienced..."
Smoody writes on the blackboard...
==================== BLACKBOARD =======================

1) kissing Lesley!
2) ... those tricky ... things <...> that seem to say more is forthcoming, but nothing comes of it.
3) "automated translation of !!! as something rather embarassing, especially to female users
4) usually, miscoMOOnication takes place because multiple threads take place and turn-taking goes out the window!
5) attempts at humor fall flat
6) Mispages can be a really bad communication problem caused by MOO tech (and human evilness)
7) the message that comes with LOOK when the user hasn't put in a description - the LOOK tells the person looking to tell the non-described person that s/he is 'boring'
8)
9) Just mispages.
10) Lag can be a really bad cause for miscomMOOnication with not that experient MOOers.
11) Some players have no patience for people new to MOOing, slow typists, weaker language.
12) I said on a list teacher training was like playing with your parents and teacher development was like playing with your peers and one guy wrote what about playing with yuorself and although this was in fun I know I felt offended, because it seemed like it was a
13) horrible typing problems due to lack of a client, of course!
14)
15) loss of connection at inopportune moments!
16) forgetting how to do MOO stuff

=======================================================
Pretty slides in, ready to NETwork.
Flemmex has connected.
The air beside you suddenly grows thick and - furry! As though from nowhere, a fuzzy gingery ball of energy resolves itself into the person of Flemmex.

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Example A: MOOing skills (tech problems)

Clearly, players' MOOing skills can interfere severely. Slow typists may
cause frustration. Inexperienced MOOers may not realise that they are being
addressed and ignore the other party - or they simply may not understand
the use of certain commands. But even skillful MOOers can run into trouble
when not fully aware of all the functions of an environment...

When we, Lesley, Larry [Godzilla] and Markus, met to discuss this NETEACH
session, we unwittingly provided a perfect example of miscomMOOnication
ourselves. We use a MOO classroom for our meetings. Larry 'sat' on an
object there, calling into use a feature that allows different groups of
players to use different areas to talk to each other for groupwork,
undisturbed by other groups. This means that those who sit down (students)
can 'hear' what those standing (teachers) are saying, but not vice-versa.

Unlikely though it may seem, it took more than 20 minutes until Larry
found out we could not hear him....

You can have a look at the log of this conversation at:

http://halley.yadata.com.br/schMOOze/neteach/miscomm1.htm

Please switch back to schMOOze at least every 2 or 3 minutes!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
Mehitabel says, "I think most of these things are tech problmes."
Godzilla says, "and I get to be publicly humiliated...heh heh!"
Gregor pats Godzilla thwappingly.
Godzilla says, "Mehi has provided a great segue for us!"
Debab slides in, ready to NETwork.
Markus [to Mehitabel]: that's right, many comm problems are caused by MOO technology, but we prepared 2 other examples too...
Godzilla says, "We invite you to read and comment on the first example."
Torachan says, "back in a sec - tech supp calls..."
Mehitabel says, "I don't think the example is that embarrassing."
Lesley says, "It's a long example though.... "
Godzilla [to Mehitabel]: Well, it was embarassing to me, because I really thought I was being ignored...I was getting quite upset at the time.
Mehitabel says, "I think a bigger problem is for the tendancy of new mooers to do things in their 'moo identity' that they would never do RL"
Markus [to Mehitabel]: Not really, but it is very illustrating how we always are condemned to try to make sense, even if this is actually not possible...
Flemmex [to Mehitabel]: What sort of things?
Dasha says, "I thought that was an easy mistake to make. Are 'private' seats noted?"
Gregor nods thoughtfully at Mehi.
Godzilla [to Mehitabel]: can you give an example for us?
Dasha [to Mehitabel]: I think you might be right...
Mehitabel says, "OK. But I was very bad ..."
Bronzed_Aussie [to Mehitabel]: what do you mean a problem, that could well be positive
Mehitabel says, "This didn't happen here. It happened a long time ago (8 years)."
Flemmex laughs.

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Example B: Linguistic/Cultural problems

In many cases, linguistic or cultural factors lead to miscomMOOnication. A
non-native speaker may use words without full awareness of their meaning,
their connotational range in a given situation, or intercultural
differences regarding conversation startegies.

Example:

Lesley pages Markus, "I have to go to this meeting I told you about soon..."
[pause of several minutes]
Markus pages Lesley, "Success!"
[pause of several minutes]
Lesley pages Markus, "I was just leaving but I've come back because I wonder what you're talking about!"

(There is a commented version of this log at the support site for this
discussion)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
Mehitabel says, "There was someone on the MU* where I was that we suspected of being a big gosspip."
Bronzed_Aussie says, "God forbid, and there aren't any gossips amongst us here ;)"
Mehitabel says, "So I gave him a tidbit to see how fast it would spread. I told him I was a quadripalegic."
Gregor says, "Most of us have seen it here... harassment of various forms done by people who wouldn't act like that IRL..."
Markus laughs at Bronzed_Aussie and starts to giggle.
Debab says, "They do in their cars, though."
Torachan says, "back"
Flemmex thinks it would be very hard for a quadraplegic cat to get around
Lesley says, "That's true, but it can also be an advantage to assume another persona for shy learners, as Markus implies"
Godzilla [to Bronzed_Aussie]: Not YOU at any rate. heh heh
Flemmex [to Mehitabel]: How dfast?

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Example C: Ambiguity/Multiple threads/Lag

The following short example serves to illustrate all three problems at the
same time:
Markus says, "Found some things here... the audit shows object size in K"
Lesley asks, "Oh, tell me? Sounds interesting. Can you show it to me?"
------------------------Markus-------------------------
Objects owned by Markus (from #0 to #420):
2K #290 Markus *[Meeting]
1K #420 Meeting [Markus]
-----------------------finished-----------------------
Lesley says, "Oh, nice!"
Markus asks, "mail's arriving... isn't it?"
Lesley asks, "Dunno - is it?"
Lesley says, "Should be"
Markus says, "... 'isn't it nice' was that"
Lesley giggles - another example!
green [Guest] says, "an analogy to Godzilla's problem would be friends not coming to a meeting place because of a traffic hjam or something"
Bronzed_Aussie agrees with Lesley about shyness and the poitive aspects of assuming a more confident bullish persona, sees it amongst his students here
Godzilla says, "We are a little pinched for time, so we have displayed all our examples."
Markus isn't sure if you got the last slide right? Could you confirm? (He got a traceback saying 'task out of ticks'
Lesley [to Markus]: Most of it came up

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Example C: Ambiguity/Multiple threads/Lag

The following short example serves to illustrate all three problems at the
same time:

Markus says, "Found some things here... the audit shows object size in K"
Lesley asks, "Oh, tell me? Sounds interesting. Can you show it to me?"
------------------------Markus-------------------------
Objects owned by Markus (from #0 to #420):
2K #290 Markus *[Meeting]
1K #420 Meeting [Markus]
-----------------------finished-----------------------
Lesley says, "Oh, nice!"
Markus asks, "mail's arriving... isn't it?"
Lesley asks, "Dunno - is it?"
Lesley says, "Should be"
Markus says, "... 'isn't it nice' was that"
Lesley giggles - another example!
Flemmex laughs at Mehitabel.
Lesley says, "The second example is an interesting one, because we've since discovered that Markus and I saw the event completely differently (and still can't agree about it)"
Gregor [to Markus]: I think we got it all.
Godzilla says, "missed the last two lines."
Flemmex can't see where the paste ends
Markus [to all]: those who didn't get example 3 completely can type: PEEK 7 IN DP
Lesley says, "The paste ends at Lesley giggles - but it doesn't show up"
(((((( Godzilla breathes a perfect smoke ring at the screen ))))))
Markus says, "... 'isn't it nice' was that"
Lesley giggles - another example!

Commented log at: http://halley.yadata.com.br/schMOOze/neteach/miscomm3.htm

Please switch back to schMOOze at least every 2 or 3 minutes!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
(((((( The smoke ring dissipates as Godzilla finishes ))))))
Godzilla says, "That's the end of the paste"
Debab says, "Maybe we need an 'over' like with CB-speak :)"
green [Guest] says, "I don't understand Markus and Leslie's examples. I can't see what happened because I don't know enough about MOOing"
Torachan giggles
Smoody smiles at Debab's suggestion
Debab adds, that's CB radio
Lesley [to Debab]: In what way do you mean?
Gregor snickers.
Debab says, "So that person A ends a thought before person b begins"
Lesley [to green [Guest]]: that's an illustration of our first example type - technical problem
Debab says, "With CB radio, it was because you couldn't hear when you were speaking"
Flemmex says, "A person who workswith thedeaf using TTys was telling me yesterday about an "over" thing that they yuse"
Gregor [to Debab]: It'll never happen... MOOers are hyper typists. ;o)
Debab says, "This is much the same thing"
Markus [to all]: I am sorry, we are having another comm prob caused by technology, for some reason ther slides don't show up completely. The server seems to be overloaded...
Godzilla [to Debab]: That is related to the multiple threading of MOOing...that can be very confusing!
Lesley [to Debab]: And lag can cause problems there, too
Debab says, "Or interesting, if you have the right attitude"
Markus nods at Debab.
Debab says, "Lag is definitely an issue"
Dasha says, "There's a lost of crossing over of different conversation topics too, especially among those of us who chatter a lot."
Mehitabel [to Markus]: maybe there is something wrong with the slides.
Dasha meant lots, not lost
Lesley [to Mehitabel]: they were find just before we started
Flemmex does a real time example....
Flemmex says, "What will never happen Greg?"
Godzilla [to Markus]: I can cut/paste..I seem to be ok with peeking...
Torachan says, "here I'm typing on a UNIX telnet client, and everything gets mixed up..."
Mehitabel [to Torachan]: You need a client.
Gregor [to Flemmex]: People taking turns talking here.
Debab says, "It's not unique to Unix"
Lesley [to Torachan]: Exactly, that's not a moo problem
Flemmex [to toara]: Is am too today
Torachan says, "I know, but I have to open up the ports, and I don't know HOW!!"
Debab says, "What client were you trying to use?"
Torachan says, "me?"
Flemmex [to Gregor]: Is this a contextualizer typology job?
Gregor says, "Anyway, what shall we say about miscoMOOnication?"
Debab [to Torachan]: "Sorry - yes, you.
Godzilla says, "Well, as everyone can see, there are many problems related with MOOing, but we have looked at these as new challenges that require solutions...."
Torachan says, "I'd like to use Pueblo"
Lesley suggests returning to the topic - can we discuss clients later/
Dasha says, "Most of us know how to handle the miscoMOOnications...We're ready for some."
Debab says, "Who's 'us'?"
Dasha says, "It's helping students that gets harder."
Lesley [to Dasha]: Well, you may think so...
Godzilla says, "We'd like to hear some solutions you've worked out..."
Smoody wants to know how the miscoMOOnication is different from when the same thing happens IRL.
Godzilla says, "and please share with everyone."
Godzilla says, "Then, we'll present our list of solutions."
Smoody says, "I've had conversations IRL when people are talking about two different subjects."
Dasha says, "In lab, I watch over everyone...and I never have had more than three users at once."
Lesley [to Smoody]: A lot of miscoMOOnication happens because of lack of para-/extralinguistic cues - doesn't happen irl so often
Dasha says, "I have to explain things a lot."
Markus [to Smoody]: there is much more nonverbal context irl that gives you clues about how to interpret things...
Flemmex [to Smoody]: I think absence fof tone of voice is a f\real problem
Lesley [to Dasha]: That's fine if your students are all in the same place
Godzilla [to Dasha]: How do you explain? Can you give an example?
green [Guest] says, "In example 3, you should've type 'nice' after 'isn't it', is it?"
Dasha says, "true, but here, that's how it's been so far."
Bronzed_Aussie wonders why there is no shading of meaning in some of the FOs to simulate the subtleness of tone or gesture
Debab says, "Isn't this like e-mail when it started? People 'wrote' the way they talked, and there was a lot of miscommunication."
Dasha [to Godzilla]: It's mostly words, a few phrases. Although I had a student upset because someone 'hugged me'. He thought it was inappropriate.
Debab says, "Now, people are more aware in email messages, and 'tone' is better."
Lesley is not at all sure that she agrees with Dasha's belief that "we" are prepared for miscoMOOnication
Debab says, "Maybe it's a matter of time and experience"
Smoody says, "But it still happens in real life. I guess I keep thinking (like a writing teacher) that one just needs to put more detail into the written words. A pronoun. A subject."
Godzilla [to Debab]: I think that is a good point, and something that needs awareness raising.
Pogo is going to try to join you.
Debab nods
Pogo has arrived.
Lesley [to Smoody]: Nope - doesn't seem to make any difference - can make it worse actually
Lesley says, "The time in the heart of England is now 1:43 a.m. on Saturday"
Bronzed_Aussie has to help his wife unscrew the coffee pot ..brb :)
Dasha [to Lesley]: Okay, I'm ready for it...
Godzilla says, "I'm interested in the strategies you now employ and how you pass these strategies on to your MOOing students, everyone."
Flemmex wonders why Lyn has neCC been screwing the coffeee pot anyway, if BA is there....
Lesley wonders if people do have strategies
Markus looks at Dasha, smiles and listens.
Mehitabel says, "I think you should just let them figure it out themselves."
Gregor says, "My main strategy is just to be sure to ask questions when I think I might be misunderstanding what's going on. It slows things down, but it's crucial sometimes."
Markus nods at Gregor.
Torachan [to Gregor]: that's important
Mehitabel was referring to students in a lab.
Lesley agrees with Gregor
Debab says, "If we leave people to figure it out for themselves, then they'll take off and not come back"
Debab says, "I think you need to prepare the group as much as possible for potential problems"
Godzilla [to Gregor]: Can you talk about one of those CRUCIAL times? Maybe that would help me to understand, too!
green [Guest] says, "I think we need to think about communicating about communicating. MY students can talk but can't talk about communication. The teachers who are Korean here can talk English but can't talk about English in English. Metacommunication skills , goign back to clarification, comprehension and the other strategioes are important. We alreadu knew that though"
Mehitabel [to Debab]: To a point, yes.
Markus [to Debab]: that's possible, especially if they're not familiar with the environment.
Dasha says, "If I'm on line, I may ask another character to re-explain what he/she/it had said. On the offline side, I will also intervene. I'm mostly a walking dictionary."
Lesley [to green [Guest]]: It's not just NNSs who have problems with that, believe me!
Gregor says, "And with students, make sure to help them understand that that's the case. That there will be miscoMOOnications that are due to the tech and not their language abilities (or in addition to...)"
Flemmex thinks that showing ss what some misciommunications look like and doing a bit opf text analysis is a good thing. So then they know a) to expect that sometimes it will happen and b) that it's normal and soluable
Debab says, "I've found people respond well to being told that what they've said sounded rude."
Lesley [to Dasha]: Oh, don't you make them use the online dictionary/
Markus [to Flemmex]: that's why we set up this site, too...
Dasha says, "My students aren't that into MOOing yet."
Dasha has yet to create an addict.
Lesley [to Debab]: Yes, often they do, but then sometimes they don't
Gregor nods at Debab.
Lesley [to Dasha]: But surely it's useful to start them off with the skills they need as early as possible?
Flemmex thinks it's a godd idea
Flemmex says, "The site I mean."
Godzilla says, "Let's look at some of the solutions we've worked up. Please read and comment."
Dasha says, "Not when the goal is just to get them communicating at all."
Dasha says, "If they want more, I'll lead them into the classroom"
Markus nods at Mex and invites everbody to use the examples with students if they think it might be useful.

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

Gregor says, "It's sort of like the NODDING AND SMILING technique of conversation in a foreign languatge. If you let misunderstandings go, they will catch up to you. :o) You have to be responsible for your own comprehension."
On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Strategies to reduce miscomMOOnication

Technology induced problems:
Be informative: are you lagging, away from the keyboard, working in another window? Say so!
Be patient: technology *can* cause problems all by itself
Be informed: make sure you understand the functionality of where you are in the MOO

Cultural/linguistic problems:
Be sensitive: use hedging, avoid being *too* direct
Be bold: tell someone if s/he offends you and explain why - it may not be intentional
Be patient (again): You / Your interlocutors may not be aware of all connotations of the terms used.
Be prepared: ask for clarification if you lose the thread or didn't understand

Ambiguity:
Be helpful: if you realise that you might have produced an ambiguous utterance, try to clarify what you meant
Lesley [to Markus]: We lost the end again...
Debab says, "Time is the issue for me - there's a small window of patience that I find people have with something new - teachers in particular."
Gregor says, "I think your slides may be too long... maybe Yoshi made it so you could only put one screen at a time up."
(((((( Godzilla breathes a perfect smoke ring at the screen ))))))
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

Strategies to reduce miscomMOOnication

Technology induced problems:
Be informative: are you lagging, away from the keyboard, working in another window? Say so!
Be patient: technology *can* cause problems all by itself
Be informed: make sure you understand the functionality of where you are in the MOO

Cultural/linguistic problems:
Be sensitive: use hedging, avoid being *too* direct
Be bold: tell someone if s/he offends you and explain why - it may not be intentional
Be patient (again): You / Your interlocutors may not be aware of all connotations of the terms used.
Be prepared: ask for clarification if you lose the thread or didn't understand

Ambiguity:
Be helpful: if you realise that you might have produced an ambiguous utterance, try to clarify what you meant
Be brave: tell people if you didn't understand the point they were making

More at: http://halley.yadata.com.br/schMOOze/neteach/strategies.htm

Please make sure to look at this window again every 2 or 3 minutes!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
(((((( The smoke ring dissipates as Godzilla finishes ))))))
Lesley [to Gregor]: They worked perfectly earlier
Gregor thinks the advice posted is very logical.
Flemmex nods.
Torachan agrees with Gregor
Flemmex says, "Me too"
Mehitabel [to Debab]: Why do you want teachers to come here?
Flemmex says, "Is this summary on your site?"
Markus [to Gregor]: the slides showed up normally when there were just a few people in the same room...
Gregor [to Markus]: Hmm.. don't know what to tell you.
Lesley [to Flemmex]: Yes - at the url there
Debab [to Mehitabel]: "If they know how it works, then they might bring students. If no one shows the students what to do, at least in our lab, then they won't come.
Debab [to Mehitabel]: "I meant 'teachers' as the first 'they'
Mehitabel [to Debab]: 99% of the NNSs came here on there own.
Gregor [to Debab]: Nice clarification! :o)
Debab [to Mehitabel]: "And how many stay?
Godzilla [to Mehitabel]: Really? How did they find their way here? Any idea?
Mehitabel says, "Almost all. They came here voluntarily."
Mehitabel says, "By word of mouth."
Godzilla [to Mehitabel]: Cool!
Debab says, "For me, the issue is time - how much time it takes to get involved and understand. I've had too many colleagues try it and turn away." Flemmex agrees with Debab about the importance of teachers coming here and learning how to use the MOO well
Markus reminds everybody of the command: PEEK 8 IN DP in case you want to take a look at the last slide again
Lesley suspects that the age of the NNSs may have something to do with it too
Gregor says, "I think Frizzy's FUN class brought in a big batch who stayed, brought friends, etc."
Pogo says, "what is the typical profile of these 99% of students who come here on their own. Are they already quite comfortable with computers? Advance in their English skills?"
Bronzed_Aussie agrees with Debab -- teachers geting interested is the lynch pin --- in the context of our work (I am presuming to speak for
Flemmex too) -- teachers are the ones who will initiate students into mooing , the SS themselves do not have the wherewith all to do it independently
Dasha nods at Lesley.
Flemmex nods heartily
Lesley agrees with Debab, Dale and Mex
Debab says, "The great info we have about strategies won't do much if teachers aren't around to help students understand"
Mehitabel [to Debab]: If you want students to come, put up a 'no mooing' sign in the lab.
Debab says, "At least in general."
Gregor agrees with Debab, Dale, Mex, and Lesley.
Flemmex says, "It's vital. they aren't independant enough learners/readers to do it without our help"
Godzilla [to Gregor]: So we have Frizzy to thank, too! great!
Mehitabel says, "I disagree."
Shirley is going to try to join you.
Bronzed_Aussie nods in Flemmex's direction
Shirley has arrived.
Markus says "Hi!" to Shirley.
Shirley says, "hi!"
Flemmex smiles at Shirley.
Lesley says "Hi!" to Shirley.
Gregor [to Mehitabel]: Who are some students who came here all on their own?
Mehitabel says, "Hi, Shirley."
Debab says, "I know what I've seen in our lab, and it's that students who are introduced to SchMOOze try it again, while very few get there on their own and go back again."
Gregor waves to Shirley.
Mehitabel [to Debab]: There are no mooers here for uoregon.
Bronzed_Aussie Bronzed_Aussie even ofersShirley a piece of Cadbury's chocolate he is munching on
Shirley [to Bronzed_Aussie]: no thanks, I am on a strict diet..
Debab [to Mehitabel]: "Then it means they haven't seen enough of how to do it to get characters, I'd guess.
Bronzed_Aussie bursts into loud laughter.
Gregor says, "I don't know how students would find the place on their own, unless a teacher at least told them about it."
Debab says, "Why do people move from Guest to Character?"
Mehitabel says, "it is all over the web."
Bronzed_Aussie [to Debab]: good question!
Mehitabel [to Debab]: To get more privileges.
green [Guest] says, "Yeh, why ScMOOze, rather than other MOOs?"
Bronzed_Aussie [to Mehitabel]: I disagree
Pretty says, "That's true I'm a teacher and unless I tell ss about the MOO they wouldn't know what it is"
Gregor says, "My students don't know MOO exists unless I tell them about it."
Debab says, "In the last two weeks that I've been trying to get some Eastern Europeans here, it's been a stretch to get past initial problems. If they succeed, then they seem to be excited about it."
Pretty smiles at Gregor
Shirley says, "why are lady di is so thin?"
green [Guest] says, "But they know about chat rooms in Korea so I'm sure they know about sometjhing like thjis if tehy are in the U"
Lesley [to green [Guest]]: Why would they?
Bronzed_Aussie says, "the web is so big .. amongst my students I know the ones who apply for character assignation are those who begin to feel they are a part of the culture here"
Debab says, "Chat rooms are a lot easier."
Mehitabel says, "The night schMOOze opened 20 people from HK logged on."
Gregor says, "Students all know what the web is, these days, and email and maybe IRC and IPhone, but MOOing seems to be kind of a fringe thing."
Markus [to Debab]: and dull on the long run
Debab says, "I have three colleagues now who use Chat because they understand it and know how to do a class discussion there."
Lesley has never met a student who mooed here
Lesley means irl by 'here' (she clarified)
Bronzed_Aussie [to Gregor]: whose students? certainly not ours
Pogo says, "Most of the ESL students I know still don't have access to computers except through teachers and ESOL programs"
Dasha says, "I have had students who know what chatrooms are...but not a MOO."
Debab says, "MOO - especially SchMOOze - is a lot more fun, and I love the NETEACH Nook possibilities."
Dasha agrees with Pogo.
Debab says, "But I didn't have a clue about it until Greg showed me."
Markus smiles at Debab and starts to giggle.
green [Guest] says, "yeh, we arediscussing miscommunication."
Debab grins - okay, I fell into that one.
Flemmex [to Bronzed_Aussie]: Yesterday I paged Shaun (one of BA's students) and he was too busy talking to Cheese to give me more than a quick Hi! I was delighted even though it awas a nuisance
Gregor [to Bronzed_Aussie]: Allow me to clarify. "MY" students... international business people and grad students.
Pogo says, "Most of the ESOL teachers I have showed SchMooze to hate it -- it's too difficult to use they say"
Smiling in a manner most charming, Gregor (Asleep) waves at all present
and @quits schMOOzing for now.
Gregor has disconnected.
Bronzed_Aussie says, "schwooo! way out of our range!"
Mehitabel says, "I am sorry I have to run, but RL is calling me."
Dasha says, "It's not for everyone."
Mehitabel waves.
Mehitabel goes home.
Lesley says, "The time in the heart of England is now 2:00 a.m. on Saturday"
Pogo says, "It could be for more though, if...."
Gregor has connected.
Markus asks Jo for the time.
Let the schMOOzing begin! Gregor is here!
Jo says: "The time here at schMOOze is: 9:00 p.m.
Shirley says, "give man a free hand and he would run it al over you.."
Gregor mutters, "Stupid technology."
Dasha would love to see more students walking in to language lab, just to try the MOO out.
Shirley says, "beauty is in the eyes of the beer holder."
Dasha says, "I will offer some workshops."
Dasha has more plans for next semester.
Pogo says, "Dasha, workshops for teachers?"
green [Guest] says, "Are we miscommunicating?"
Dasha says, "No. students."
Debab [to Dasha]: "That 's what it takes - have workshops for teachers and students, I think.
Pogo says, "What will the workshops include?"
Torachan says, "I7d like to give more workshops too."
Bronzed_Aussie says, "the beer holder ... sounds like an Aussie pub"
Godzilla [to green [Guest]]: This has surely been very informative for you...?
Dasha says, "There are only two of us CALL girls on campus...."
Pretty agrees with Debab
Torachan hits his Japanese keyboard.
Markus says, "Before people start to run away, I'd like to thank all of you for being here with us!"

Markus is going to display something new on the screen...

Shirley says, "join the army, meet intresting people and kill them."
On the screen you see...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

A REMINDER...

Please note! Our sessions are always logged.
By participating, you give permission to Greg Younger to allow
access to the transcripts for research purposes at his discretion.
Before using any part of our logs for research or publication, please
obtain the permission of Greg Younger at youngerg@colorado.edu

For a transcript, please see our web page:
http://spot.colorado.edu/~youngerg/netmoo.html

****** Thanks for participating! ******

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
Bronzed_Aussie laughs at Dasha .. a CALL girl :))
Debab says, "It's been fun."
Gregor thanks Markus, Lesley, and Larry for putting this together!
green [Guest] says, "Well, it's been a while since I did this, but it seems to be getting more complex evcen than it was before."
Bronzed_Aussie says, "thank you oh amazing three!"
Godzilla [to green [Guest]]: Heh heh!
Markus says, "Of course you are welcome to stay and go on with this discussion as long as your rl allows..."
Lesley smiles at Markus and winks.
Flemmex grins at Markus.
Pogo says, "Bye everyone. I'll look for the log to see what I missed."
Markus says, "...but the official one hour is over"
Torachan says, "thanks Lesley Godz and Markus"
Godzilla says, "Well, it'll take ME awhile to process all that went on here. I would suggest to everyone to write a quick note to yourself on your impressions for posting to our site..."
Pretty says, "Bye everybody!"

Return to TOP of this document.
Return to MOO Sessions Log Menu.
Return to NETEACH MOO Sessions page.
Go to NETEACH-L homepage.

This page is maintained by Gregor

(Greg Younger, NETEACH-L MOO-Master).

Please send comments to youngerg@spot.colorado.edu.