Beginning / Getting Started

As an Educator, ask yourself the following:
"How much would it be worth to have a program that will allow me to communicate with all my peers, students, and colleagues in a variety of ways, both real time and non-real time?"
If the answer is "a lot" would you be interested in learning that the program is *free*?
Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) are available in a variety GUIs  (Graphic User Interfaces) which facilitate navigation and learning commands.

MUVEs incorporate:

• Realtime secure conferencing and closed-system email (moomail)
• Ability to connect with an Integrated WWW Interface
• Run on as little as a 386 or as high-end as Java and VRML
• Ability to project WWW sites onto remote computers
• Ability to control student communication and movements
• Collaboration with fellow educators (over 50 EdMUVEs exist)
• Team teaching, breakdown of classroom walls, build professional relationships
• Cut & paste, file sharing, online tutorials, object oriented programming
• Ability to create and develop personal character, create files/notes/portfolios

Beginning to MUVE

Your first experiences on DU will run the gamut from frustration to exhiliration.  Frustration can come from several sources:

• Difficulty logging in
• Dislike method of connecting (type of interface)
• Steep learning curve

These frustrations can be handled in turn with patience and mentoring.  Note that *you will have help connecting (several interfaces are possible, depending on connection type by  user), becoming acclimated, and learning commands*.  Virtually no other system gives you an online community that will help you overcome obstacles (both through real time mentoring and asynchronous online tutorials). Start with Mr.C's MUVE page and link to tutorials.

Exhiliration will also come from several sources:

• Understanding communication/navigation commands with help
• Sensing and becoming part of the community aspect of MUVEs
• Realizing the capabilities of MUVEs, and growing competence
• Exploring characters, rooms, feature objects and other objects
• Setting personal description and creation of homeroom

These Beginning Skills will take approximately 10 online hours to develop.

Jumpstarting Commands

To facilitate learning "how to MUVE" educators should follow the following steps, and are also encouraged to create their own goals pertaining to competence and assess the path(s) they take to attain them.
1) Contact Jeff Cooper (coops@edmail.com), Mr.C on Educational MUVEs) to let him know that you are interested in learning how to use MUVEs and are interested in joining his project. He will create a temporary character for you at Diversity University and act as mentor/guide/facilitator throughout the project.
2) Read and print out a copy of Diversity University Commands
3) Arrange for connecting to DU for first session and introuduction to MUVEs