instant+messaging

= = =**Instant messaging**=

Author(s): Cornel Hart

1. Definition
Instant Messaging (IM) is part of the broader concept of //online chat// but it differs in that: a) it indicates the identity of who is contributing instead of online chats that are often anonymous, b) it can alert you whenever somebody on your private list is online, c) it happens in real-time (instant) with immediate receipt and/or reply of messages unlike e-mail messages with a time delay factor and d) it can have visual and audio features when connected to webcams, microphones and headphones/load speakers. IM can thus be accessed via smart phones as well as computers.

=
AIM, EBuddy, IBM Lotus Sametime, ICq, Mxit, Google chat, Facebook chat, Skype, Twitter, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Digg, Polleverywhere======

3. Examples of applications for Teaching and Learning
Facebook group is a very useful model to get students to interact with their lecturer as well as with each other. It also allows the lecturer to load assignments, readings and exercises to which the students must then comment and/or respond back to the lecturer but also to each other. They can even grade or rate the contributions. Another advantage of this model is that one has access to the history of the process followed by all participants. In addition, one could also load documents, videos, pictures as well as links to more documents and web pages. A very good introduction on the application of Facebook in the classroom is found at the following link: []

4. Other resources (articles, guides, videos, examples...)
[]

[]

[]

[]

[]

[]

[] .

added by Lindsay Clowes
For beginners trying to get their heads around the basic concepts have a look at the following pages: [] [|http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/internet101/u/inetbasics.htm#s7] [] []

And then the most marvellous page that translates instant messaging abbreviations. You might know LOL but do you know what IITYWTMWYBMAD means? go and have a look, see if you can work it out! []

Once you have the basic ideas and gotten a grasp of the language then you need to start chatting. So here's a video to start you off with Facebook chat media type="youtube" key="x3ba8seHxYQ" height="315" width="560"

[]

After you have wrapped you head round chatting (instant messaging) on Facebook you could think about using some of its other affordances. Here's a great site that has a 100 different ideas for using Facebook in your classroom. []

And here's another video to start you instant messaging on Skype []

media type="youtube" key="QTVElj-cg2w" height="315" width="420"

Another seriously useful tool for engaging your students is Poll Everywhere which enables teachers to use instant messaging in the classroom. Teachers can set a question and project the results (eg in graph or text form) in front of the class as they roll in from students cell phones via Twitter, SMS or their web browser.

media type="youtube" key="C7vm0FUfgcc" height="315" width="420"

[]

5.1 IM in the classroom
added by Lindsay Clowes Here's how a history teacher used Facebook and Facebook chat in her classroom. media type="youtube" key="Vj-XCUIbbcE" height="315" width="420"

5.2 Less practical, more scholarly stuff
added by Lindsay Clowes If you want more in depth knowledge and are looking for some scholarly articles have a look at the website of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) which publishes the peer reviewed //Journal of Research on Technology in Education// at [] Sadly my university doesn't have access to this journal so I can't investigate further. I would have liked to have had a look at an article by F Serim and K Schrock entitled "Nailing digital jelly to a virtual tree - tracking emerging technologies for learning - given the rapid pace of technology innovation, which ed tech investments are worth the time, money, and effort required to improve student achievement?" See also [] []