NETEACH-L MOO SESSION LOGS

Session 19-A

ESOL Emailing: E-asy E-literacy

NETEACH Nook ------- ---- A spacious classroom with a comfortable, lived-in feeling to it. Among all the decorations brought by teachers from all parts of the globe, there is a large, up-to-date 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, Kuwait, Cyprus, and all over the US. You see Teacher's Desk, Big Table, Bulletin Board, Beanbags, Fireside Bearskin, Kitchen Table, Wading Pool, and Hot Tub. You see DB, Gregor, Mehitabel, and Flemmex standing around. You see LCD Panel. Obvious exits: out and frizbee

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

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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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gregor grins. "No, I have an American accent, remember? If I were laaaaaaging, you'd be horrified by the pronunciation." Flemmex turns ashen. Gregor grins. DB says, "Sorry. I should have dressed." Gregor says, "Would you like me to turn the pages, Mex?" Flemmex [to DB]: Are you a regular at Neteach sessions? Flemmex [to Gregor]: Sure thing. DB says, "Sort of."

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

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*** 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gregor is Greg Younger of the Economics Insstitute in Boulder, Colorado. Flemmex is Mex Butler from Australia, Adult Literacy and ESL teacher in community providers. DB is Jerry Bicknell--doctoral student in Instructional Technology, West Virginia University DB thinks "That's West Virginia University."

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

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*** ESOL Emailing: E-asy E-literacy ***

You may have noticed the impact that getting an email address has on your students. Suddenly they can develop an independent net-life of their own. Some start coming to class early and hanging round after hours to read and send their emails. They make friends with people they've never met and write a whole lot more than they ever used to.

For students doing distance education or online classes, email becomes an essential tool. This is an integral part of enrolling, participating and submitting work for assessment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flemmex [to DB]: Ah... good then you know how they work and how the blackboard works and stuff? DB says, "yeah." Gregor says, "DB's a new old hand." Flemmex g and smiling. Flemmex says, "?" DB shakes its head. Gregor [to Flemmex]: gimme a wink when you want the page turned. ;o) Flemmex thinks a wink is in order

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

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This month's NETEACH MOO session will focus on email: what you can do with it in your classes, how to get email addresses for all your students (if you haven't already done it) and tips and tricks to make it work better for you. you can brainstorm ideas for great email activities and share links to good email projects on the www.

Let's begin our discussion by brainstorming ways in which people are already using email in their classes. (Please briefly explain what level and kind of class.) We can use the BLACKBOARD, a feature of this virtual classroom, to facilitate this process. To add a line of text to the blackboard, anyone can type: writeb <message> For example, writeb Limited bandwidth prevents use of video

To see what has been written, type: look black (or just L black)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gregor cleans the blackboard with a soapy sponge... ... in the nick of time... Flemmex says, "Saying what kind of group and what level they're at makes it much easier to understand why things work differently for different people" Flemmex [to all]: Do you all use email with students? DB says, "I have" Flemmex writes on the blackboard... Gregor says, "I'm working with business English students, usually mid-career professionals, and international students who need to improve their skills before starting graduate programs in Economics and Business in US universities." Flemmex says, "What kinds of things do you do with them DB?" ==================== BLACKBOARD ===========================

1) I make em get email addresses so they can get MOO characters. :)

=========================================================== DB says, "Sorry...the phone again." Flemmex grins. DB says, "I've set up distribution lists for everyone to keep in contact." Gregor writes on the blackboard... Flemmex writes on the blackboard... DB writes on the blackboard... Gregor writes on the blackboard... ==================== BLACKBOARD ===========================

1) I make em get email addresses so they can get MOO characters. :) 2) I have them get email addresses to facilitate class communication (assignments etc) and to join discussion lists. 3) Getting individual email addresses made the difference between mediocre interest and absolute fascination with using the internet for a lot of my students 4) DB sets up distribution lists for information sharing. 5) I use an internal class list for discussion in the class itself, though I underutilize this.

=========================================================== Gregor says, "BTW, I'm referring to my reading/writing classes." Gregor says, "Which actually, I haven't taught for several terms." DB moans "OOO, the lag!" Gregor pokes the lag in the ribs. DB says, "Does anyone have their students get email pals?" DB says, "There was a posting on the NETEACH-L list (I think) today about how even EFL students now can spend a lot of time in an "ESL" environment via CMC." Gregor says, "No, we're on such funky short terms at odd times that I haven't even attempted that." DB says, "There's an interesting (to me) distinction between distance ed. and ESL/EFL on site. I think we're all in the latter group, aren't we?" 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 says, "I'm in the latter but moving to the former headlong." DB says, "I can see LOTs of potential for the EFL class." 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. Flemmex sighs. Flemmex says, "I had to reconnect" Gregor [to Flemmex]: You didn't miss much, I don't think... I'll paste. Flemmex says, "What's been happening?" |----------------[Gregor slaps some spam on the screen]----------------| DB moans "OOO, the lag!" Gregor pokes the lag in the ribs. DB says, "Does anyone have their students get email pals?" DB says, "There was a posting on the NETEACH-L list (I think) today about how even EFL students now can spend a lot of time in an "ESL" environment via CMC." Gregor says, "No, we're on such funky short terms at odd times that I haven't even attempted that." DB says, "There's an interesting (to me) distinction between distance ed. and ESL/EFL on site. I think we're all in the latter group, aren't we?" 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 wipes off his hands]---------------------| Gregor says, "I'm in the latter but moving to the former headlong." DB says, "How's that Gregor?" Flemmex [to Gregor]: Oh! Short terms restrict what you can do? Even email? Gregor says, "Obviously, email will now be a central part of all of our distance classes." Mehitabel says, "Sorry, I am so distracted (by my studnets)" DB says, "Students are like that." Flemmex pokes Mehitabel's students. "Hey you lot! Nick off!" Gregor [to DB]: We're signing a contract this week with a service provider to host and do the technical aspoects of our website development. We will start offering distance classes via the web sometime this spring. Flemmex [to DB]: What were you going to say about the diff between distance and f2f? DB [to Gregor]: Great! Gregor [to Flemmex]: Short terms restrict our attractiveness to other classes who want longer-term e-pals. Flemmex [to Gregor]: I'd LOVE to know what they charge Gregor [to Flemmex]: I'll tell you all about it later. Flemmex [to Gregor]: Your students don't show signs of keeping up connections? DB says, "I'm in a CMC in Education course right now where we have to present a "Module" integrating the Internet into the instruction. Some of the other grad students are still just sort of adding it on; not using it WHERE and WHEN its appropriate." Flemmex says, "Does everyone have email accounts for all students?" Gregor [to Flemmex]: Yes and no, mostly no. Our program is terribly intensive, and the students are very stressed just to keep up with their current classes. Flemmex nods at DB. DB says, "At the IEP here, they stopped getting email accounts via the university server. IT was too much hassle and the turnover was too great." Flemmex [to DB]: Do they get their own then? Hotmail and such? DB says, "Yes, now they just get hotmail or rocketmail or something." Gregor [to Flemmex]: And yes to the last Q... our students all get email addresses. Flemmex says, "And how important do you all feel email is to their online activities?" Gregor [to DB]: We've made the same move here for the same reasons. Plus, when they get a hotmail or yahoo account, we can keep in touch with them more easily after they leave our program. It makes good alumni relations sense. DB [to Flemmex]: How long do your students typically study with you? Flemmex winks at greg, just for the record Gregor says, "Email has been the main Internet-based activity I do with my wrting/reading students." Flemmex [to DB]: Often for some years,

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

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*** Some free email providers ***

Hotmail: http://www.hotmail.com Now owned by Microsoft. Rocketmail http://www.roaketmail.com Yahoo! http://www.yahoo.com Look for the 'free email' link. Available in different countries, so a little quicker than Hotmail if you're not in the US.

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Flemmex says, "though some only stay a short time" DB says, "Don't forget Netscape mail." Gregor says, "Also AltaVista now has an email service." DB says, "There're more daily!" Flemmex has had one group of 'older' (50-70) ESL students for nearly 3 years. At least some of them have been there that long Flemmex nods. DB says, "Wow, 50-70 year olds!" Flemmex says, "I just put in a few for the masses of interested newbies who I know would flock to this session." Flemmex nods at DB. Gregor grins. "With altavista, you can customize your address to some extent. For example, I have an account there called gregor_y@technologist.com You can also get "hosts" such as @cybergal.com and @cyberdude.com. Hee hee!" Flemmex [to DB]: Unfortunately I have very limited internet access with that group Flemmex grins. Flemmex [to Gregor]: How many email accounts have you got? Gregor can just picture one of Mex's grandmotherly 70-year-old students getting email at granny@cybergal.com Flemmex [to DB]: I don't mind talking publicly about them. :) DB [to Flemmex]: Did they make progress then? Flemmex says, "The older students make different degrees of progress. Mostly it's very slow." Gregor [to Flemmex]: I have ... maybe 6-7. I use them mostly for subscribing to online offers that I think might attract a lot of spam. Gregor says, "At that @technologist.com address, I receive TONS of unwanted email." Gregor says, "brb" Flemmex says, "well.... *apparently* slow, though they're starting from next to no education in their first language, so becoming literacte in a L2 makes things harder." DB says, "SPAM is a big problem." DB says, "It's one reason I dropped AOL" Flemmex says, "I've had a few older students who are very quick, but mostly they have good education in their first language" DB says, "The university seems to filter out SPAM, mostly." Flemmex [to DB]: can you explain your distribution lists a bit? Flemmex says, "Is it a paper list that they all get a copy of? Or more like a mailing list?" Flemmex says, "Something they subscribe to?" Flemmex writes on the blackboard... ==================== BLACKBOARD ===========================

=========================================================== DB says, "Like a mailing list." Gregor [to Flemmex]: Three different schools? DB says, "They can communicate with each other and I can send out announcements." Gregor [to DB]: What do they mostly communicate about/ Flemmex nods at Gregor. DB says, "Questions about the content mostly." Flemmex nudges greg to display the next transparency DB says, "I haven't used it extensively with ESL classes, rather with my graduate students."

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

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*** Keypals Sources ***

Epals: http://www.britcroun.org.hk/epals/epals_new.html Interculture E-mail Classroom Connections: http://www.stolaf.edu/network/iecc/ Pen Pals Inc: http://www.bestmall.com/penpals/ English Town: http://www.englishtown.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flemmex hasn't tarted students on these sources yet. Flemmex says, "My students seem to be developing interesting email lives as a direct result of MOOing." Flemmex corrects a typo: started Flemmex credits schMOOze's own Castles for these addresses. Gregor says, "I tried an in-class activity in which I had pairs of students collaborate on a short comparison/contrast essay using email to give each other information. Mostly the assignment just kinda frustrated them, since it was easier in their eyes to just talk to each other. Has anyone else had experience with this?" Flemmex says, "hjave you lot seen Castles's book?" Gregor says, "No, I haven't." Flemmex [to Gregor]: Sort of...times when the 'authenticity' of the task is a bit dubious, since they *can* talk instead. DB says, "Castle?" Gregor [to Flemmex]: Exactly. Flemmex [to DB]: Castles is a schMOOzer. Gregor [to Flemmex]: Castles doesn't seem to own a book... do you know who the owner is? Flemmex [to everyone]: Castles has an excellent resource book called 'English Online' published by Oz ESL Books. Flemmex [to Gregor]: I mean it's a real book. Gregor says, "Oh, a BOOK! like with paper in it and ink. What a concept!" Flemmex grins. Gregor laughs. Flemmex thwaps Gregor with the ascii version. Gregor says, "Gawd, i'm getting pathetically virtual anymore." DB [to Flemmex]: I have students MOO in the lab...it's sort of the same idea...why discuss something electronically when they are sitting right next to each other? But there are some good reasons to do it. What about e-mail? What sound pedagogical reasons are there for having students in the same room communicate via email? Flemmex points to the clock and encourages Greg to show the nexzt-to-last slide Flemmex [to DB]: Practice of course. :) Flemmex [to DB]: But it's that forever thing about authenticity. DB says, "Practice reading, writing, keyboarding, using e-mail?" Barry [Guest] slides in, ready to NETwork. Flemmex [to DB]: AND practice using email! Flemmex says, "Hi Barry!" Flemmex rereads DB's andwer and looks silly. Gregor says, "What I told my students was those same things about practice, plus the fact that by doing it that way, they already had their info in electronic text form for easy manipulation in a word processor. they still didn't buy it." Barry [Guest] says, "Hi everyone. Sorry I'm late." Flemmex [to DB]: All of the above Gregor waves to Barry.

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

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*** Info about student email projects ***

Bill Daly's excellent discussion of an adult literacy mailing list: http://cougar.vut.edu.au/~dalbj/sslists.htm

Bill Daly again, with a range of useful email related links: http://cougar.vut.edu.au/~dalbj/sacal.htm

Dave's ESL Email Connection: http://www.pacificnet.net/~sperling/guestbook.html

Linguistic Funland ESL/EFL Activities: http://www.tesol.net/teslact.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barry [Guest] says, "Hi Gregor. " DB says, "No not authenticity...pedagogy...I get sick of hearing non-computer types say "Why should I have them do that with the computer? They can do it as well (or better) without the computer. One response is to learn computer skills. But it's not a terribly strong come back." Mehitabel has to go now. Mehitabel waves. Mehitabel goes home. Gregor waves to Mehi ... too late. DB says, "I think, if we used computers in very sound pedagogical ways, such criticisms would diminish." Barry [Guest] waves Gregor [to DB]: Are you hearing any answers to that question in your doctoral program? Flemmex [to DB]: Ah - I was thinking of explaining it to the students themselves. Barry [Guest] says, "You might answer that some people respond better to different types of learning. " Barry [Guest] says, "Maybe I should introduce myself. You might recognize me from various postings as Barry Bakin from Van Nuys Community Adult School." Flemmex says, "Hi Barry." DB says, "I'm not saying that we shouldn't use e-mail with students in the same lab. But I don't think we should use it just because we can. What advantages (apart from practicing e-mail) does it have over print-based work?" Flemmex works in community adult schools in Australia Gregor [to Barry [Guest]]: thought that was you. :o) Barry [Guest] says, "Couldn't log on as my schMOOze character today. Did you cancel me again :o(" Gregor [to Barry [Guest]]: What was your username? Barry [Guest] says, "Inbal" Flemmex says, "you still live" osb [Guest] slides in, ready to NETwork. Flemmex says, "Probably a password problem" Barry [Guest] says, "Thanks. I'll try again later. I tried the password several times. " Flemmex says, "Hi osb" Barry [Guest] says, "You'll just have to call me Barry today!" Flemmex [to Barry [Guest]]: They're case sensitive. Maybe that's a problem? osb [Guest] says, ">Hi Flemmex" Barry [Guest] says, "tried everything. No big deal." Barry [Guest] says, "How did the earlier part of the discussion go?" Flemmex says, "Greg could make you a new password" Gregor says, "Hi, osb." Gregor says, "Yes, I can." Flemmex [to Barry [Guest]]: uh... slowly. :P But that's ok. Better than bedlam. Barry [Guest] says, "I've forgotten my syntax. How do I direct an inquiry to a particular individual?" Flemmex [to osb [Guest]]: Want to introduce yourself? Flemmex [to Barry [Guest]]: TO PLAYENAME MESSAGE Barry [Guest] [to Flemmex]: Thanks! Gregor [to Barry [Guest]]: I just emailed you a new password. Flemmex [to Barry [Guest]]: No problem osb [Guest] says, ">I also missed the ealrlier opartpart">I missed the earlier part of the discussion, since this is my first time using a MOO." Gregor [to osb [Guest]]: Would you like to introduce yourself., or remain anonymous? Flemmex [to osb [Guest]]: Welcome then! ANd well done for getting here! Barry [Guest] [to osb [Guest]]: Congratulations! Gregor cheers for osb DB smiles. osb [Guest] says, ">Thanks! I am quite proud of myself! Was there a discussion about email and foreign language teaching?" Flemmex nods at osb [Guest]. Gregor [to osb [Guest]]: Yes, but sadly, it's almost over. Barry [Guest] Barry directs the marching band to play an invigorating tune. Gregor says, "I'll post a transcript of our discussion later today or tomorrow." Barry [Guest] says, "There will be another session right?" Marching_Band pipes up and startstrumpeting round the room. Gregor nods. Flemmex says, "POssibly two more - several people have asked for another time." osb [Guest] says, ">well, at least I now know haow to do this, so I'll be ready for the next MOO. BTW, thanks for positing the transcript" |----------------[Gregor slaps some spam on the screen]----------------| NETEACH MOO Session 19-B New York: Wednesday December 2nd 10 PM London: Thursday December 3rd 3 AM Tokyo: Thursday December 3rd 12 PM Melbourne:Thursday December 3rd 2 PM |---------------------[Gregor wipes off his hands]---------------------| DB says, "Can I ask if Barry and osb do distance ed or face-to-face?" Gregor [to osb [Guest]]: Where do you teach? Barry [Guest] says, "Can you post the dates with Los Angeles (west coast ) time as well for the time zone impaired?" Gregor smacks Barry. "That's 7 PM for you, Californiaboy." osb [Guest] says, "">I teach at a school for the blind in Pennsylvania" Flemmex sgtm for greg mehi Gregor [to osb [Guest]]: Do your students use a text-to-voice program for the computer? Flemmex [to Gregor]: I thought you said you were only 2 hours behind NY? osb [Guest] says, ">Also, I teach face to face, but my students are heavy computer users, because they can easily access ">They use a screen reader - I guess that' s the same as text-top-voice" Barry [Guest] [to DB]: I teach a stand up face to face SUFTF class and I do have a lab based ESL class. Gregor [to Flemmex]: I'm not on the west coast, dear. Flemmex dohs Gregor [to Flemmex]: I'm on Mountain Standard Time. Barry's on Pacific. Flemmex has to get ready for school now. Gregor grumbles, "you'd think these feriners would spend a little time learning where all 50 US states are..." DB [to Flemmex]: Bonne journee! Gregor grins. Barry [Guest] [to Flemmex]: catch you next time! osb [Guest] says, ">My studetns are heavy computer users bc they can easily access electronic texts." Flemmex licks at Gregor. Gregor hugs Mex. "Thanks for hosting the session today!" Flemmex [to osb [Guest]]: I'd like to know more about your software too.

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

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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

Please link to our online suggestion box at the website to suggest future topics!

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flemmex [to Gregor]: No prob. A bit sluggishly, but no matter. Flemmex will prolly be more awake at 2pm on Thrusday afternoon. Gregor says, "Maybe we'll get more folks to the next session, and please let me know if you decide that a third is warranted." DB says, "I'll try to make the next session." osb [Guest] says, ">Well, ">Well, thanks - I'd better log ouff or disconnect or whatever it's called in a MOO. It's been great -" Gregor [to osb [Guest]]: Thanks for coming! DB waves. Gregor [to osb [Guest]]: BTW, there's a nearly-blind computer programmer who is a regular here at schMOOze. Barry [Guest] [to osb [Guest]]: Try sticking around if you have the time and explore the rest of the University. Flemmex [to everyone]: Great to meet you - don't feel shy to come again for the second session. Different combinations will make different issues come out. Gregor [to osb [Guest]]: He goes by the name of Fiver. Chat with him if you get a chance. Flemmex waves. Gregor waves to Mex. DB says, "I'll "see" you all on Wednesday. Bye." Flemmex goes home.

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