• In this module we will look at ways of communicating through the Internet with more than one other person. We will learn about IRC(Internet Relay Chat) and MOOS and converse in real time.

• Unlike email, both IRC and a MOO allow you to communicate with people from around the world in real time. Another advantage is that IRC and Moo allows many people to communicate together at one time.

  Because everything is in real time, the style is often very slangy and many abbreviations are used. In this module we'll discuss the style, but first we want to meet people from all over the world.

• • Let's start with IRC - the Internet Relay chat. In Israel we are connected to the "IRCnet" network, however there are similar networks. To get started
    from a college in Israel you need to go via telnet or powerterm and type ircII.
    It is advisable to use an IRC client, this is a special program for using IRC, it's user friendly and saves you having to memorize all the syntax. You can load this from the address below if you have windows'95 go to http://www.macam98.ac.il/soft/shareware.htm and choose mirc . If you have
    windows 3.0 then go to http://www.macam98.ac.il/soft/ and choose the mirc option.

    Basically IRC consists of different channels. Each channel is a real time discussion on a different theme. You can join an existing discussion or start a new channel.

    There are certain basic commands worth printing out, which will make your visit to IRC more interesting.

    Basic Commands:

    /join [#channel] (join, create, leave a channel)
    /who *.il (see who is logged on from Israel)
    /whois [nick] (see who, from where someone is)
    /msg [nick] (send someone a private message)
    /query [nick] (start a private chat with someone)
    /invite [nick #channel] (invite someone to your channel)
    /ignore [nick] (ignore someone's msgs)
    /nick [nickname](change your nick)
    /me [text] (sends an emote: Elaine smiles and waves)
    /quit (leave IRC)

• • Let's try it out! Join irc - you can always keep this window open if you need help.
    Your teacher will open a new channel called ETTI! how original.
    Join this channel by typing
    /join #etti

    You will get information as to who is already on this channel.
    Whatever you write will be seen by everyone on your channel once you press the enter key. Write to each other and when you feel confident try out the other options, for example send someone a private message, start a new channel and join a different channel.

• • Send an email to the class after the lesson, describing your irc experience.
    If you are a teacher or training to be a teacher say how you think the irc can be useful for teaching English.

• • Here are some more advanced commands for those of you interested in irc. Instructions for making your own channel. Once you form a new channel, you are the operator of your channel and have the power to make a number
    of decisions. If you do not make definitions, then your channel is open to everyone.
    /mode [channel] i (channel is invite only) p (private) s (secret)
    l (limit the number of users)
    /mode [#channel] -i (remove the invite only mode) etc...
    /topic [#channel]
    [text] (set a topic for your channel)

• • And now for the Moo. We will visit a special virtual campus for learners of English. It's called schMOOze university.

    Again like the irc, you need to know basic commands to find your way around Schmooze University. Apart from talking to students all over the world, at Schmooze you can for example, go to the Games Room at the Student
    Union and have an online game of Scrabble or Boggle with students from anywhere, you can search the library, go for a swim- try out the karrioke bar, go to a virtual kibbutz! read the graffiti, order lunch etc.
    We would like you all to try out Schmooze before we attempt a joint on-line meeting so that you'll all be familiar with it in the lesson.

    so get into SchMOOze

    then you write: connect guest [enter] You will then be asked to give yourself a name and a description of yourself. When trying out schmooze feel free to
    take any name and virtual character you want. However, in order to speak to each other let's use real names for the joint on-line class.

• So now you're in SchMOOze university. Go to the Classroom and learn about Schmooze. Then wonder around and play a game of Boggle. Here are some basic commands to keep you going
  @who - to find out who else is on-line
  map - to see the map
  " and then type to speak to anyone in the same room or area as you.
  @join name] to join someone, but you must first ask their permission by paging them
  page [name] "May I join you?"
  other basic commands
  look to see and get information about your surroundings
  look [item] to see something specific.
  examine [item]
  help for general help
  help here

  Have a good time, this can be really fun.

Teacher's "module plan" and handouts for this module

Assignments and Deadlines