As more and more educators discover MOOs and other online environments, the need grows for multiple levels of help. Even before we knew we would be asked to set up a MOO at CSUN, Kristian Fuglevik and I were already working out a generic plan for the design, set up, implementation, and maintenance of educational MOOs. Both Kristian Fuglevik and Matthew Sanderson (my partners in MOO crime) were/are experienced wizards elseMOO, used to dealing with a variety of security and data base core issues as well as dealing with social issues. I, on the other hand, became quite accustomed to dealing with newbies. It quickly became apparent we needed better help files, and a system of more easily understood help, via the MOO and the web, help files which did not pre-suppose programming expertise. I became the MOO test dummy. If I could understand a help file, then anyone could.

MOOs are promulgated as almost ideal writing environments for several reasons, always however, with the caveat of the steep learning curve. I would suggest that the steep learning curve has more to do with the fact that individuals don't understand MOOspace rather than outright technological problems. The MOO can be as simple or elaborate as one wants. People *can* learn to talk to others in a MOO in a matter of minutes. Whether they stick around long enough to learn to MOO is another question. MOOing once a week or so will not allow the individual to understand the the realities, social conventions, or capabilities of MOO spaces. Traci Gardener of The Daedalus Group, offers excellent advice in MOO Teacher's Tip Sheet as does Tari Fanderclai's MUDs in Education: New Environments, New Pedagogies. However, I find that many teachers either are not aware of these help guides or miss the point that one must become proficient in MOO oneself before dragging a class onMOO. This is not to say that everyone must be a programmer, but a basic understanding of the social mores, the inMOO text editors, and security issues is vital to the success of teaching on MOOs. The MOO is not for everyone, teacher or student. Teachers must be aware of this before they commit themselves and their classes to work on MOOs.

You finish reading the note...
You lookat the gardens again.