10.+Instant+Messaging

Madeline Van Benschoten EDP 279 Assignment 5.1

Instant messaging is when real-time messages can be sent over the internet to another Internet user. Instant messaging is often referred to as an “IM.” Unlike email, where you must wait for a response after sending a letter over the worldwide web, instant messaging provides a quick way to communicate with each other. You can IM anyone on your buddy list, also known as your list of contacts with information about other users’ screen names or phone numbers, as long as that person is online. You have the ability to type messages to each other into a small window that shows up on both of your screens. Some common free services include AOL instant messenger, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger, or Yahoo Instant Messenger. Most instant messaging programs provide numerous features. Some of these features include the ability to send instant messages to another computer or phone, create a chat room, share web links, send and view videos, view shared images, share files, use the internet to talk directly with other users, and stream content such as stock quotes or other news.

To talk directly with users, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is utilized. What this software does, is it connects two computers so that users can speak to each other using a headset. Another capability is made possible by webcams. Webcams are small cameras either sit on top of your PC monitor or are built-in to your laptop computer. A webcam allows you to see your friends as you chat to them. A commonly known application that utilizes webcams is Skype. Skype can now be accessed through phones, computers, and televisions. It allows for high definition face-to-face live video chat for free. In addition to free video calling, Skype allows you to call mobiles and landlines for $1.20 a minute, as well as group video calling.

Skype, and other instant messaging services, are used all around the world for teachers to collaborate on projects, connect with other teachers, and discover new teaching inspiration. Skype especially, allows teachers to see what other classes are doing around the world. Projects can be searched on Skype and messages can be sent directly to the project’s owner. Because of this, teachers and students can learn about diverse cultures. Students can work on/ discuss projects through these services as well. If students are struggling to set up a place to meet and discuss an assigned homework assignment, instant messenger programs give them an opportunity to talk about the assignment from own home. Many of the tools we have utilized throughout this course has helped to broaden our knowledge, share our ideas, and give many options to make learningmost accessible to not only our friends today, but also our students tomorrow.

Instant messaging and video chats such as Skype can definitely be utilized in a classroom. From a teacher’s perspective instant messaging could be used to chat with other teachers about assignments or things that may be going on in the classroom. Principals could use this to relay messages throughout the day to teachers instead of waiting for a teacher to check her e-mail or interrupting the classroom with an announcement over the intercom. Not only is this quick relaying of information important for teachers and faculty in the school, but it can also be used as a way for teachers to connect to parents. If parents are having a difficult time finding time to come in for a conference or have a quick question they can instant message the teacher. Students can also take advantage of this technology. Sometimes it can be frustrating when a student gets home to study or work on homework and forgets the assignment or doesn’t understand the problems. With students being familiar with instant messaging it is easy for one student to message another to have one of the students or even the teacher possibly clear up the confusion.

Updated/added by Amber Bower

While instant messaging technology has many benefits, there are also some risks. Children should be supervised when using this technology to ensure that they aren’t talking to strangers. Parents should teach children that they should not be talking to anyone who isn’t their friend, and should be careful not to disclose any personal information over instant messenger programs. Also, while it can be helpful to share files through real-time messages, you have to remember that viruses can be sent through these programs. Sometimes, people can hack your friends’ accounts and send out false messages encouraging you to download infected files. Even though instant messaging may seem private, one has to keep in mind that it really isn’t any safer than sending an email. Like with any internet software, to keep your personal information secure and private, these programs should be used with care.



Links: You can download free software by clicking on the links provided in the following webpage: []

More can be learned about using Skype in the classroom through the following website: []

//**Instant messaging can also be used to help in language areas. Having the students practi**//**ce sending a message and then "translating" in on the board is an interactive way to //learn. It also allows the students to help one another. You can also have the students look at the messages and pick out the complete or incomplete sentences, spelling errors, or come up with a list of synonyms or antonyms for certain words. Exposing children to the technology of today and incorporating the things that affect them are extremely effective ways for them to learn.//** //*Information added by Teri Chase*//

====In some classrooms instant messaging is seen as a distraction, but some teachers use it as a tool for language assignments. It is the primary form of communication for most teenagers so most students are familiar with it. Literacy is a lot broader and can be used with multiple forms of technology. Teachers who use a variety of media tools in their instruction can make students relate their day to day lives to school. Instant messaging can specifically be used for lessons on things such as a bbreviations are used to explore the relationships between purpose, audience, and appropriate language use. Students can use it to practice writing to specific people learning what tones and language to use with specific audiences.====

==== Outside of the classroom it can also be used for discussion between students about assignments, group projects, or books they are reading. Teachers can set up password protected chat rooms for their students to use in or outside of the classroom. This can help the teacher also be better prepared for class time, by knowing ahead of time what students are struggling with or have questions about. Some teachers leave a time period in the evenings after school for any homework help needed. Instant messaging is good for this because students can get instant response during that time if they have questions. They dont have to wait. ====

updated/added by Bethany Wientge

Ziqi Yang

The birth of technology has changed people's lives significantly. People in today's society seems to be more dependent on technology than any of the time before in human history. This is a time where news find us, but not we find news. Teenagers, as a large group of Instant Messaging users, are facing some problems that make teachers and parents worried. As a fast and convient communication social interaction tools, you may get response in one or two seconds. This makes IM a pop culture and a popular communication tools. Some of the educators consider this is a good way to encourage students for writing, some of the researchers indicated that students are more involved in writing and revising using IM or text message. However, since IM is a fast and informal communication method, while using it, people especially the teenagers won't care too much about grammers or spelling. On top of that, there are a lot of slangs and texting lingo among IM communications. Educators need to be aware of this problem. Students needs to be taught to distinguish between correct English and informal English.

IM is not only popular in the US, but is also very population worldwide. In China, there are 990 millions users of Tecent QQ, a chatting tool which is very similar with MSN Messenger. There is a new function with QQ recently has been promoted. You can actually talk or type through QQ. This is the screen shoot of my QQ page.