MUVEnation

Professional Electronic Portfolio (PEP) Webconference

2010-08-10T01:37:00.000-07:00

Free professional electronic portfolio online event on WiZiQ on August 21, 2010 at 9 AM EST: http://go.wiziq.com/1gnw

A Professional Electronic Portfolio (PEP) is a way for an individual to organize and share information about his or her personal and professional learning experiences. The workshop will provide background information on Professional Electronic Portfolio (PEP) and Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) and help participants develop a PEP.

Latest Avatar Look

2010-02-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

Nellie Homewood

2009-05-27T06:43:00.001-07:00

I have changed quite a bit since the beginning of Muvenation.

Critical Reflection of an Online Program: Muvenation (mvn08)

2009-04-15T03:07:00.000-07:00

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the facilitators and everyone for giving me the opportunity to be part of muvenation. I would also like to add a brief critical reflection of my experiences with Muvenation 2008.

The course was free and funded with support from the European Commission. I was at a live presentation on SL ISTE Island at 4AM my time when one of the participants mentioned that his son has problems reading instructions because he has ADD. I had known about my problem with reading manuals and and preferred method of learning by trial and error, but I had not related these to my learning difficulties with the Muvenation program. I believe my problem throughout this course has been my inability to follow instructions. I enjoyed the hands on workshops, but found the notes difficult to follow. I prefer to be shown and directed by voice, to do, make mistakes, and be corrected patiently than to have to read about it. I am a good reader/writer, mind you as I have 5 more days to complete a 3-year doctoral program, but I cannot for the life of me learn by reading about things. That's not my learning style. Patience, hands on practice, lots of individual feedback and encouragement are the elements I focus on as I teach wiki skills on Wikieducator online workshops. Regardless of the step-by-step instruction, videos, live online meetings, and discussion forums that are available online, participants require personal connections and ongoing feedback from the facilitators and peers as they practice the wiki codes.

I have had many frustrating but also many aha moments as I experienced the online course as a learner. The information is helping me improve my online facilitation.

Thank you for providing me with many wonderful learning experiences.

Thank you.
Nellie Deutsch

Can't Access Second Lfe (mvn08)

2009-03-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

I have not been able to access Second Life. I get the following message:

Recent Workshops: February 22

2009-02-23T04:14:00.000-08:00

I took two workshops; one on how to create a tree from wings and one on how to create movement via sensors. I succeeded somewhat in creating a tree but failed to activate the link in the puppeteer. I am enjoying the workshops very much because I learn by doing. However, as much as I am a visual learner, I prefer the voice instructions to the written ones.

What did I do wrong?

2009-02-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

This appeared in my email box:

[3:06] Mobius Ryba: Bannana phones = bad
[3:06] Mobius Ryba: rez them outside of the MUVEnation sim and you would have likely been banned

I have no idea what I did. I still don't. Nitely, the owner of the tree where I added the banana phone was fine with it and just asked me to remove it:

[2:51] Tempest Nitely: Nellie could you do me a big favour and return to the surrealist tree on muvenation and delete the two banana phones you rezzed there. I can not return them to you because of the permissions set on the land and they are sure to drive everyone with a platform nearby completely crazy if they are not removed.

She encouraged me to keep experimenting as that was the purpose of Muvenation. However, the email I got from Mobius Ryba was very discouraging. The email is very unpleasant because it shows that I did something wrong, but what was it? What is a banana phone and where in the world did I get it?

Workshop on Sensors

2009-02-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

Writing on a Board

2009-02-16T12:27:00.000-08:00

I loved today's workshop on writing on the board. You go to the inventory on the bottom right hand side of the screen, open a new note, write on it, save it, and move the note to the board. So simple... Now can you tell who is writing? Can you change the color of the font? Can you edit each others' work like on a wiki?

A little Help Goes a Long Way

2009-02-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

February 11, 2009

I missed the live workshop by an hour because I have been having issues with my modem. The technician finally changed. However, I went an hour late to see what was going on and found the moderator of the workshop still there. She was very nice and helped me learn a few things I had not known about changing the appearance of the avatar. I enjoyed the interaction very much.

Thinking Out Loud

2009-02-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

I wish muvenation had chosen a better environment than Moodle or pbwiki. I have been the admin of 2 Moodles for a few years. However, I have recently stopped using them. I have been using Ning, Wikieducator, and WiZiQ. As to the course on muvenation so far... well, I am a bit disappointed since the course seems to work so well for the advanced learner, but what about the rest of us?

Jing on Muvenation Island

2009-02-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

Watch a video I made with Jing on my visit to Muvenation Island today. It only accepts 5 min but the quality is quite good.

Creating and Editing Objects

2009-01-16T06:22:00.001-08:00

I visited SL Muvenation Island today and learned how to create and edit objects. I got stuck on the script which is probably the main point behind creating objects. I would really like to watch a presentation for instructional designers on how to go about creating a learning environment.

I would like to thank thank you Rosie and Mireille (Sunshine Sigall) for their help.

January16-14.00-5

2009-01-16T06:12:00.001-08:00

January16-14.00-5
Originally uploaded by nelliemuller

Video Recording of SL

2009-01-02T08:57:00.001-08:00

Happy 2009, Muvenators,
I just came back from Muvenation Island where I tried to make a video with CamStudio. Some of it came out, but I have no idea what I was doing. Anyone know the best way to make a video in SL?

Using Camstudio to Screen Record Video Tutorials

2008-12-25T15:28:00.001-08:00

Make a Video Tutorial - Second Life, OpenSim Hippo Settings

2008-12-25T15:17:00.000-08:00

How to send and create a notecard - Second Life TuTORial

2008-12-25T15:16:00.001-08:00

LAND: Basics - Second Life Video TuTORial

2008-12-25T15:02:00.000-08:00

Newbie Tips: Basic Skills in Second Life

2008-12-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

International School in Second Life (mvn08)

2008-12-25T14:48:00.001-08:00

I followed a lead into an International School in Second Life. I used TipCam, printscreen, and bliptv to document my tour. However, I wish I had done a better job since TipCam cannot follow SL.

What am I supposed to do, now? (mvn08)

2008-12-24T13:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I never thought I would say this, but I am lost. I was put into group 2 green with two other members which is a great idea since we have so much in common, but it seems that the blind are leading the blind. Maybe it would be wiser to place newbies with more experienced SL members.

Blended Learning and Instruction (Doctoral Research)

2008-12-17T04:20:00.000-08:00

Hi,
After getting negative responses from educators and researchers in institutes of higher learning in my country of residence, I contacted experts in the field of blended learning. I got negative responses from almost all of them saying that one campus would not have 20 willing instructors who use blended learning. I contacted my mentor and got the go to use multiple campuses worldwide and use virtual technologies to conduct the interviews. I am now feeling a lot better and ready to accept volunteers. If you combine e-learning with face-to-face instruction in higher education or know instructors who do and are willing to be interviewed, please let me know or fill in the following form.

Thank you for your help.

Warm wishes,
Nellie
nelliemuller@email.phoenix.edu

Fashion Show and Dancing the Night Away

2008-12-12T03:19:00.000-08:00

Fashion Show and Rehearsals (mvn08)

2008-12-09T13:28:00.001-08:00

I went into Muvenation Island to watch the fashion show. I came in on time but time in SL seems to be quite different from time in RL. I sat at one of the tables and waited and waited and waited until I started multitasking. I find that I have been wasting a lot of time waiting for things to happen in SL these past few weeks. I am now wondering whether this is a trend in SL. I am interested in using SL as a tool for instruction and learning. So far, I have been patiently waiting for things to happen. My observations have led me to conclude that SL is more of a show or display of avatars that needs lots of rehearsals. Am I missing something?

I would love to hear about others' experiences.

Storytelling in Second Life For TESOL , PD, and Wikieducator

2008-12-06T06:03:00.000-08:00

I have participated in a few weekly Friday meetings in SL. The last 3 sessions have left me confused about my role in these Friday night meetings until I joined Nelba, to learn Spanish. Now, I understand what inspires me in SL. I am interested in learning. I am not interested in small talk unless I gain some learning from the conversation. I apologize for not being able to make up a story of my own to explain how I feel, so instead I will let Brian Sturm tell the story about "Truth and Story":

Truth, naked and cold, had been turned away from every door in the village. Her nakedness frightened the people. When Parable found her she was huddled in a corner, shivering and hungry. Taking pity on her, Parable gathered her up and took her home. There, she dressed Truth in story, warmed her and sent her out again. Clothed in story, Truth knocked again at the doors and was readily welcomed into the villagers' houses. They invited her to eat at their tables and warm herself by their fires.

-- Jewish Teaching Story

Watch the video and listen to Brian Sturm tell the story of the Naked Truth and explain the value of storytelling.

I would like to teach English to speakers of other languages, professional and personal development, and how to collaborate using Wikieducator via storytelling.

What's the Point of Virtual Worlds?

2008-12-04T07:11:00.001-08:00

Virtual Worlds ae Engaging

2008-12-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

Virtual worlds are very engaging. I find it very hard to multi-task while in SL.

Freedom to Learn

2008-12-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

We need to think, make choices, take responsibility, and the freedom to learn as we want to learn. Isn't learning about making choices? What would happen if learners had a choice on how they learn?

Let's Give Education a Second Life

2008-12-04T06:58:00.001-08:00

Education in Second Life

2008-12-04T06:50:00.001-08:00

Is SL for Kids Only?

2008-12-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

Second Life in Real Life: mvn08

2008-12-04T06:42:00.000-08:00

Is this you the next day at the office after a full night on Second Life?

Saturday Morning In SL

2008-11-28T22:25:00.000-08:00

It was way past midnight when my good friend Doris popped up in my google chat to ask how I was. I decided to chat on SL Mutenation Island instead of IMing on Google. We had so much fun as I landed on top of her head. It was very relaxing to sit by the fire and chat before retiring to bed. It was almost like a bed time story. I am really enjoying Mvn08.

Thank you, Doris.

Muvenation Island for a Makeover

2008-11-27T14:37:00.000-08:00

I was on Muvenation Island on November 27 as planned by group 2. However, I didn't see anyone at the scheduled time, so I sat around for a while, then started in the direction of the beach and met up with Sus, dressed up as clown, who explained how to get my avatar to face me so I can take photos. Then, we went to a bonfire set up by Nergiz. After that, we went to get a makeover. We met, Moira and Dafne. Sus had a hard time getting rid of her monkey suit. It was very funny. I had a good time, but I didn't see any members of group 2.

Here is one from my sets for mvn08 :

Waiting for Muves

2008-11-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

Catering to my Online Needs
I need a daily routine in order to feel connected to an online course. As an illiterate Second Life oldie with no real knowledge of how to use the environment for learning, I would be interested in finding a guide to help me get a new look for my avatar. I have had the same look for about 2 years. I think it's time for a makeover. It would be great if someone could take the initiative and set up a live online session in SL on how to dress the avatars for various occasions.

Thank you.
Nellie

Newbies and Oldbies on MUVEnation 08 (mnvn08)

2008-11-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

I am not new to SL, but I am new to teaching and learning with SL so I put myself in group 2. However, I am considered somewhat of an expert by many in using Web 2.0 tools and have been integrating e-learning technology into my classes since the mid 90s. I have been learning online in graduate programs since 2003 (MA and PhD). I use Moodle, wikieducator (have used wikidpaces, pdwiki and wetpaint), WiZiQ (have used Interwise, Elluminate, Hotconference and others), and am a webmaster of a few websites. I organize online conferences, present in public online sessions, and am very involved in free e-learning in developing countries worldwide. So, I guess I am not new to technology. I would like to point out that I feel very comfortable in a mess and confusion only sparks my creative juices. I am available if anyone needs my expertise. I would love to set up a few live voice and/or recorded sessions if you would be interested. Listening to a human voice may make the online experience more comfortable and comforting for some.

First Meeting on MUVEnation Island

2008-11-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

MUVEnation Program

2008-11-09T15:49:00.001-08:00

Tutorials for Beginners on SL

2008-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

I have been exploring SL with these excellent tutorials and resources for beginners on SL. I also enjoyed some of the videos provided by SL.

MUVEnation: Week (01-MVN08)

2008-11-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

I am fine with being lost and going from one environment to another. I learn experientially so making mistakes aligns perfectly with my learning style. Actually, I may prefer it that way as long as I don't lose points, fail a course, or get kicked out. In other words, as long as there are no penalties for learning from being all over the place, I am fine. I just need reassurance that the program allows for chaos in learning.

I have gone through the steps (activities 1-7) instinctively. I somehow always manage to wind up in places that provide me with learning opportunities. Fate, I guess. However, I would like more. I would love to observe a few SL classes on how to teach English to real learners. The sessions may be recordings, if that's an option.

I managed to find a link again on the main page to MUVEnation Island on SL. I was teleported into a desert. I tried to add some trees so I can sit under the shade. I got bored with no one around so I found the word teleport so I clicked on that and wound up in another area with lots of people. I interviewed them and got some interesting answers on why they were there. I have been exploring SL in various learning spaces for a while now, but lack any real progress. I don't need to make friends vi SL. I have plenty of cyber colleagues. I would like to to use SL for instructional purposes. I need help in setting up my own learning/teaching environments and learning how to use SL effectively. Any suggestions?

Second Life for Beginners

2008-11-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

Chaos: Introduction and Resume (mvn08)

2008-11-02T05:53:00.000-08:00

My name is Chaos and I am unemployed because no one seems to want Chaos in their organization. However, I hope my status will change by the end of the year after completing MUVEnation. I am going to use this blog to develop a professional resume. Let me start with my background.

Before I begin, I would like to thank my husband for introducing me to the computer and our three wonderful children for their patience since the mid 1980s. I will use the third person so that the resume sounds professional. Let me begin with my passion for learning outside formal educational institutes as most of what I know I acquired independently.

Background

Past

Chaos has always been curious about life and wanted to understand why people think the way they do and why we are here. Chaos was never satisfied with what school subjects had to offer her and went beyond by visiting public libraries and learning independently for herself and not for others (her parents, teachers, the school, or friends).

Present

The Internet is providing Chaos with a huge library full of information. Chaos spends more time online than she does sleeping. In fact, Chaos stopped sleeping in a normal way so if you hire her, she will never say that she's too busy because she never is. Chaos always finds time for online work. Chaos has developed learning and coping skills as a result of her work with the computer and the Internet. Chaos started with word processors, then progressed to html and web authoring tools such as Dreamweaver and FrontPage. She advanced by developing her own learning objects, WebQuests, and social network groups. She has created some ning and facebook groups and belongs to many social networks for her continued learning. In case you missed anything; Chaos learns online.

Philosophy of Life

Chaos has always connected to spiritual things or things she couldn't prove. Maybe that's why she started her doctoral studies so she can learn how to conduct research and understand the academic world and specifically organized institutions of learning. She never understood the need for learning school subjects in institutions of learning. She is doing her dissertation study on blended learning and instructor use of technology in higher education. Her philosophy is a mixture of existentialism and Buddhist mindfulness meditation practice.

Technologies

Chaos has been exploring various technologies since the mid 90s with the advent of the Internet. Chaos brought a great deal of chaos as she explored ways of integrating technology into her English high school classes. The teachers and parents did not like the idea of students playing on the Internet for entertainment while at school. They didn't see any value in bringing the Internet into learning and instruction. Chaos did not give up. In fact, she remained steadfast in her beliefs that the Internet would become a huge resource of information for learning one day. Today, the Ministry of Education, administrators, principals, and students are very pleased with technology. Teachers, however, still feel threatened by the Internet as a learning tool. Chaos is currently doing her PhD or doctorate as they call it at the University of Phoenix. She is researching blended learning and instructor use of technology in higher education. She is completing her final year of course study in educational leadership specializing in curriculum and instruction. Chaos hopes her research findings will lead to improvement in instruction and learning and in professional development.

Innovations

Chaos has encountered lots of road blocks from school stakeholders, colleagues around the world, and from friends in trying to use technology for instruction and learning. Only her family has shown support from day 1. In order to manage with all the opposition, Chaos practices mindfulness meditation, the Alexander technique and Reiki. Chaos believes in people and in giving everyone an equal chance. Chaos does not view herself as a pioneer. She is driven by a need to help others, love for education, and ways of improving instruction and learning. Her needs are not innovative in any way. They are shared by many people.

MUVEnation: eLearning for Best Practices

2008-11-01T03:08:00.001-07:00

What a way to start a new month. I have just signed up for MUVEnation, a European project co-funded by the European commission as part of the lifelong learning program initiative 2007-2013. I hope I will be accepted as only 20 participants are allowed from countries outside of Europe.

Teachers are constantly learning as they search for best practices to improve instruction and learning. The Internet offers wonderful opportunities to learn and share. FOC08, CCK08, and now MUVEnation are examples of free online courses educators can access for professional and personal developments.

I have been using technology since the mid 80s. It all started when my husband decided to surprise me with an electric typewriter, only it had a different name. It was called a computer. At first I was surprised, then disappointed and later a bit frustrated as I tried to use a popular word processor. Once I got the hang of the word processor, my husband brought me a new version which was completely different. I now had a new software to learn. However, before I got the hang of this one, my dear husband brought me a newer version. It went on like that for a few years as I learned one, another turned up. After a while, I started enjoying the process of learning new things. Gradually I began to use my know and started integrating computers into my EFL classes. At first my students were reluctant to use computers in class, but after a while things got easier and they enjoyed the lessons a lot more. However, my life did not get any easier, I had to fight with their parents, other teachers, and the administration of the school who claimed the students were not learning; they were wasting their time playing games. I did not give up. I did everything I could to learn how to make the lessons engaging and effective. I had to prove that technology would work. It seems kind of strange now that I think of it.

Today, I am no longer fighting the system. I am still the only teacher among 250 who integrates technology into her classes at my current work setting, but that is better than none. No one criticizes or interferes with my work. Parents, teachers, the administration allow me to do as I please. I get as much computer time as I want. No one else goes near the computer lab. I have a projector, a screen, audio, video, Interwise (virtual classroom), and anything I wish. The principal approves and pays for any project I decide to join. I'm blessed. After 34 years of teaching , I am still enjoying my work. I am not burnt out as the saying goes. I love my job.