Erin makes some good points on transparent vs. opaque
technologies. I think that seeing any technology (and here specifically I am talking about computers) is a dangerous thing when we are using it as a teaching tool. We assume too much about the general student population if we assume that they know how to use (and why they use) the most “basic” of computer technologies, the word processing program. What does it mean that each generation of MS Word has more complex online collaboration components built in? What does it mean that Word assumes that multiple people will be “reviewing” a text? What does it mean that we can now specifically check versions of a text? Why are some or all of these things important in the writing classroom? Perhaps the time has come for a resurgence of “The Rhetoric of the Word
Processor.” Erin also does some important ranting on MOO life. When we are close to something in a personal way, it is often hard to be critical or theoretical. But interestingly enough it is usually
these folks who are so close that do the best job of being critical. 1) because they are aware of their personal biases where others are not and 2) because they are more likely to be careful to get the facts straight so that they can’t be accused of being biased. (I suppose there should at least be a 3 but…) In one post Erin declares
here undying love for EnCore (ok maybe that’s a bit strong) but wonders why Jan and Cynthia (authors of MOOniversity) seem to want to make MOOs educational only and to remove the sense of play and the possibility of disruption. As a huge proponent of play, I wonder why we would use the MOO technology if we had no intention of using it to make learning FUN. Why use it at all if it is to be
as restrictive as the traditional classroom? On Dibbell, Erin
writes that many folks don’t get it. I agree. How can we expect people to “get” MOO life without having ever experienced it? How can people understand if the don’t know the make up, the feeling of community, the connection, the disconnection? All good questions that beg for participation to clarify.