M.U.D. stands for Multi-User Dimension MUDs are virtual environments that can be very large and detailed. In a MUD you are a character that moves about (either by typing directions or using the mouse to point in the direction desired), interacting with other characters(other users). There are many possibilities of interaction such as exploration, friendship, conversation, debate, and sometimes romance. MOOs (Mud, Object Oriented) allow users to build their own additions to the world. You can create rooms, program objects (simple furniture, talking pets, or talking furniture), as well as interacting with other players. (Outka,1996)
MUDs and MOOs provide a virtual place where people can come together. These places can be communication oriented or a virtual classroom where lessons are happening. They could be designed to be game oriented within a learning environment. This would be a way to keep student's engaged for a longer period of time. For example, a game that requires student to solve math problems in order to reach the next part of the game. A foreign language class could access a MOO that uses a certain language to communicate. MUDs and MOOs could also be used a virtual meeting places for extended classroom time. Students could meet in this virtual classroom to work on assignments or receive instruction.
"Tapped In brings educators together both locally and worldwide to cultivate a community that supports each teacher as a professional. We build the capacity of teachers to support one another through peer networks supported by the Tapped In community.",(Tapped In,2003)
"MOOSE Crossing is an excellent way for kids 13 and under to expand creative writing skills and learn to program at the same time. Kids can create objects ranging from magic carpets to virtual pets to even a pokémon; a world based on your "MOOSE Crossing is an excellent way for kids 13 and under to expand creative writing skills and learn to program at the same time. Kids can create objects ranging from magic carpets to virtual pets to even a pokémon; a world based on your imaginations. They can also build virtual rooms and cities, such as King Tut's Pyramid, the Emerald City of Oz, or Hogwarts. Kids can meet and interact with other kids from all around the world. The world of MOOSE Crossing is built by kids, for kids."(Bruckman,2003) imaginations. They can also build virtual rooms and cities, such as King Tut's Pyramid, the Emerald City of Oz, or Hogwarts. Kids can meet and interact with other kids from all around the world. The world of MOOSE Crossing is built by kids, for kids."(Bruckman,2003)
"Intermetrics is developing technology for collaborative learning based on our InterMOO ServerTM. The first instance of this new technology, Wyndhaven, is a multimedia (text, pictures, sound, video, animation etc.) virtual environment for teaching science and math to 5th graders. In addition to the environment itself we are developing authoring tools which curriculum specialists, lesson authors, teachers and students will use to extend the environment. Authors will not need to be programmers in order to create engaging new scenarios in this virtual world.
In Wyndhaven a 5th grader might find themselves on the surface of Mercury (as pictured), with the task of launching a research satellite into orbit. There will also be puzzles to be solved, and new places to build. The student will interact with other students, teachers, parents, other members of the community and (AI) synthetic characters in real-time."(CAETI community,2003)