Literature circles in a synchronous virtual classroom: Educational MOOs to support student online interaction

This paper explores the features of educational MOOs to create a stimulating, synchronous environment for upper primary (elementary) students working in the virtual world of Learning Communities MOO. It focuses on how the features of MOOs are used by students to support and enrich their literature circle discussions. The data presented indicates that these experiences encourage and support students' interests and understanding of text through social interaction and purposeful dialogue. The results of this research suggest that online literature circle discussions conducted in an Educational MOO can operate successfully and that the MOO environment supports student discussions.