Reflection on 4/27 Lab Class

schMOOze University12 years on the Net!

In the beginning of today's class, the instructor Emma mentions that there were just two people in her class can finish the Schmooze assignment when she was in university, and then, I am definitely not one of the two excellent students. Honestly speaking, I really have an awful experience on today's Schmooze activity. I spend three hour just entering "West, East, South or North" in the lab without knowing why, and attempt desperately to finish the tasks, but just in vain ultimately. It is not fun at all. I ponder on the reason why I do not like this activity at all. Well, there are several reasons accounting for my dislike for this activity. I think this activity is out of the date. The images on the webpage are just very simple and plain in the first place; it only appears some description and instruction words. The instruction is also not clear enough for users to understand. If this website could be designed with vivid images (e.g. colorful pictures, animation, sound effects, etc.), it would definitely arouse users' more interests. What's more, the website is not user-friendly at all. It can read the precise words of specific commands only, not flexible at all! I get the word “I don't understand that” from the system many many times, which frustrates me a lot. Apart from the design of the website, I myself is surely the one to blame. I do not understand the objective of this learning (i.e. why is this activity so important?), so I have little motivation to finish the tasks; I do not enjoy it, and, ultimately, I fail to finish the assigned tasks. Probably if I am intelligent enough to finish the tasks, I will have a great sense of achievement and thus will enjoy this activity. Following are just some evidence that proves my visiting of several place in the Schmooze website. My user name is "littlechueh" in this website.

MOOrrey's Bar-------------This is a place where schMOOze University people can meet to chat andhave fun in an informal, off-campus atmosphere. MOOrrey's is located in an old power station, no longer in use - ahigh brick building with arch-shaped windows. There is a bar and a dancefloor, abit apart from the Main Lounge.Kumiko, the bouncer, is eyeing around suspiciously and flexing her muscles. You note a sign pointing at the Karaoke Rooms of MOOrrey's Bar.Meanwhile, Manuel, the small and worried-looking waiter, scurries about frantically, carrying empty glasses back to the kitchen...You see Manuel (Waiter), Kumiko, Dartboard, Menu, and MOOrrey's History here.[Monster] [Guest] is here.Obvious exits: right (Bar), left (Dancefloor), Exit (Parking Lot),Men's, Women's, Karaoke, and Kitchenlittlechueh [Guest] has arrived.[Monster] [Guest] walks over to the bar. Hmm.. seems it will order a drink soon. You can type DRINKERS later to see how many of them are on its account.. ;-) littlechueh [Guest] looks at the map of schMOOze.

Library Lobby-------------This brightly lit lobby ends at either end in a hallway. The walls arewhite, and are covered with many pictures. In the center of the wall oppositethe massive glass doors hangs a large sign. It reads
West Wing <== ==> East Wing
Periodical Room - Reference Room
Resource Room - Haiku
Stacks
Beneath the sign is the Help Desk. It is currently unstaffed.You see Treasure Hunt Solution here.[Monster] [Guest] is here.Obvious exits: The Mall, West Wing, East Wing, and Workroomlittlechueh [Guest] has arrived.[Monster] [Guest] smiles.Sorry, but no help is available on `...'.[Monster] [Guest] meanders down the hallway to the West Wing. littlechueh [Guest] looks at the map of schMOOze.

Bovine Way, West of Campus--------------------------You feel a gut wrenching sensation that tells you to turn back.[Monster] [Guest] is here.Obvious exits: East littlechueh [Guest] has arrived.

Library Workroom----------------This room is filled with shelves of books and other media that areBeing processed for the library. Carts of various sizes hold items thatare being prepared to move to the other rooms. At one side of the room is the librarian's desk and desk chair. There are cards and writing implements on the desk. Each work table has a comfortable chair pulled up to it.The door to the lobby is open. Obvious exits: Lobbylittlechueh [Guest] has arrived.

East Wing Hallway-----------------As you look down the hallway, you notice small animals that look likegophers scurrying out from under the door of a room marked Reference. Acrossthe way is another room labeled Haiku.ashley [Guest] is here.Obvious exits: Lobby, Reference, and HaikuIsn't this a nice place?I don't understand that.cherrielo [Guest] arrives from the lobby.cherrielo [Guest] goes west.I don't understand that.Sorry, but no help is available on `...'. littlechueh [Guest] looks at the map of schMOOze