Author Archives: jan lewis

The MOO

Something that stands out for me related to technology is way back in 1995-1999 when I was an undergrad at the University of Windsor.  They had a Computer Science Lab with a bunch of DOS-based desktop computers that you could book times on.  I probably used them for course-related stuff but I don’t remember that LOL, what I do remember was the Computer Science or IT Society hosted something called a MOO that I absolutely loved.  I have always loved creative writing (typing over penning stories) and games and this MOO was a huge text-based sandbox game that you wrote yourself into!  I developed my first understanding of coding and basic computer logic and algorithms through the process of creating characters to play, writing extremely detailed descriptions for “rooms” and their contents, and mastering commands to speak to, wave at, and otherwise interact creatively with the other students who logged on to play, both at home and from the Computer Lab.  Less a social pursuit than a nonthreatening activity for the introvert in me, I nevertheless met a few friends on the MOO that I’m still loosely connected with over FB.  It was a great way to wile away the hours when I most certainly supposed to be doing something else more productive or studious! 🙂 I wonder whatever happened to that MOO, if it’s still around or obsolete now…

 

Hello etec533!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Apologies for being unable to post Wednesday, as directed, unfortunately 533 wasn’t shown for my Canvas dashboard then.

I live in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  Although this is my 8th MET course (I’ve taken the four cores as well as 532, 530 & 531 thus far), this is the very first course that’s used Canvas instead of Blackboard, so I feel like a newbie LOL

In this course I hope to learn some practical things that I can share with the teachers in my elementary school who teach Math (I teach K-8 Library/Tech and 1-3 Media Literacy & Performing Arts). Although I’ve loved the courses so far, I’ve found it a bit of challenge to actually apply these things in my own teaching contexts.

Fun Facts:  (1) My full name is Jan, not short for anything, just Jan (many don’t believe until seeing my birth certificate!).  (2) I was born in BC,  grew up in the Okanagan Valley and moved to Windsor in 1995 when the second-last Hiram Walker’s plant in Winfield closed, relocating only around six of its 300-ish employees, of whom my father was one.  (3) One of my great-great-relatives on my mother’s side was Louis Riel’s page boy.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and two amazing children, playing games of all sorts, reading, jogging, cooking (hence the need for jogging) ;P and pursuing/encouraging others in matters of truth, identity, and purpose in Life.  Looking forward to learning with you all this semester!