Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Online Anonymity
I have always been an advocate of online courses. I loved the freedom it offered and the flexibility in which classes could be taken. This summer was my first experience with using any type of interface where we actually meet and talk. I have participated in other courses where we have had discussions. There is a tremendous difference in the two methods. I feel like I know the personalities of those in the MOO (although I'll say I am more quiet so people probably do not see mine as much!)
I think about that comparison to Skype or even in class. While I like that in class I can respond a little quicker (I feel like I have a learning curve with MOO). I love that MOO is completely unbiased. While I have background information on everyone in the class, I had no perceived notions about who they are, where there from, and because we are so diverse, it makes for an interesting dynamic.
I love the saying that no one knows you are a dog online. I think of me in the MOO. Many people probably do not know my inexperience with teaching and especially in the English field. The fact that I am inexperienced is probably less obvious online. It helps me to soak in a lot of information without being worried about speaking up enough.
Thinking about the comparison makes me greatful for my in class courses that are discussion based. But I love that I am able to be quieter (not my normal personality) and soak in all of the information!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think my favorite thing about the online classes for me personally is that I get to focus and "play" on a more level playing field. I learn SO much more while watching people's conversations in the MOO than when I do in class. I tend to tune out. I don't know if it is because there is so much more to see or what, but I definitely am a people watcher and like to give my classmates back stories and such. Ha! It seems more fair for anyone who is more "green" (like I feel sometimes!) because everyone has an equal opportunity to chime in when they think they have a relevant idea. I am curious to see what Skype would do to our current class dynamic,but something tells me that I will be giving people back stories and it will make me a people "listener" instead of a watcher in this instance!
ReplyDeleteMany high school teachers who have access to computers for a full class will use chat to maximize attention on-task. Can be physically in the same room but interacting virtually, in other words. Might look up Daedalus Writing Environment, for instance.
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..
I have to follow Rich about the chat in class. I had a class at A&M that utilized chat. In some ways, it provided anonymity. I agree that "aha moments" are more developed with text as that happens with me frequently - it helps too that text is one of my primary methods of communication too.
ReplyDelete