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1. Q: Where is my class page? A: Use the menu above.
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Updated 2007-01-10
Computer & Communication Using English to Communicate with Native English Speakers Synchronous Communication |
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Up to this point we have been doing Asynchronoous communication, where people talk at different times. Letters, notes, messages on the refrigerator are all examples of Asynchronous communication.
Synchronous Communication is communication at the same time. Telephone is the best example of synchronous communication. Chat, MUDs and MOOs are all done "real time" (right now).
Week 9: Chat
Chat is a way to either type or talk and your message is immediately seen online by a group of people. It is like an online conversation. The most common type of chat is called Internet Relay Chat (IRC).
Some recent CHAT places for ESL/EFL students
EnglishClub.com Chat
Chat for Broken English (CRIBE) Note: low quality of chat.
Dave's Cafe Chat
Homework Week 9: Try Yahoo Chat for at least 2 times this week.
Week 10: MUDs and MOOs
SchMOOze University is the place for English students to get together at one "virtual campus". A MOO is a "Multi User Domain, Object Oriented." A MUD is a simpler form, very similar to a chat. A MOO has objects (things) you can change. For example, if you type "Fold paper" or "give gold to Sheila" those objects change for everyone to see (and Sheila to accept). So it is more than chat, you can move around, play games and even decorate your room. People spend so much time on these "virtual worlds" that they have lost contact with reality sometimes. The word schmooze is a fun word that means "talk a lot" and it has MOO in the middle. Larry Davies in Hokkaido and Awaji-sensei in Nagano helped to build this world. You can join and have fun there too.
Virtual Worlds: Similar to RPG, but concentrating on Communication, there are many Virtual Worlds. Try Virtual Worlds Review for a good selection. Easy (and free) ones to use are Dubit, Moove, The Palace, TowerChat, and Virtual Ibiza. Be sure to read the review to get the one that is best suited for you.
Active Worlds is a MOO in 3D. It is a place that you can move around in, fly. There are about 500 different "worlds" and thousands of people that participate. You need to get a special browser from Active Worlds at http://www.activeworlds.com/ and install it on your computer. Then start it up and explore the worlds. There are also many educational worlds using an older version of the browser, called AWEDU.
Homework Week 10: Write your report for Synchronous communication (find the assignment in Moodle at kevinryan.com). Also make sure all of your other work is also finished. Next week: Final Project.
Resources:
© Kevin Ryan 2001-2005 ryan at kevinryan dot com