This paper describes the use of technology in a first year college writing class. The class utilizes a multi-user object-oriented domain (MOO) which allows participants to talk, perform actions, thoughts, and emotions, manipulate objects and furniture, and altogether control the online environment. The class holds discussions on the computer in addition to in class, conducts online peer tutoring sessions, holds one-on-one online conferences with writing tutors, and for each online meeting, logs the online conversations and uses the resulting transcripts in further writing and learning activities. A review of class activity logs was conducted to find the extent to which students interact with the MOO environment, by how much they emoted and engaged with objects along with their speaking during each of the online activities. Most students did not freely engage in emoting or object-manipulation. It is important for instructors to show students what the MOO environment can do, both positively and negatively, within the online activity. When the writers actualize the environment, using objects and emoting to become confident and capable online yet focusing primarily on the writing work to be done, the MOO can become one of the most productive spaces for learning that writing instruction has found. (SWC)