Chen Wang, L. and Beasley, W. (2005). Type II technology applications in teacher education: using instant messengers to implement structured online class discussion. Computers in the Schools, vol. 22, no. 1.
IM otherwise known as instant messaging is considered a type II technology and is becoming more and more integrated into the classroom experience. Often associated with casual chatting online, IM is now being used by both fully online classes and non-online classes alike.
Wang and Beasley assess the use of IM through an online class in the form of regular mandatory class discussions. They suggest that IM is a beneficial tool to get students to have a well informed, technology based discussion through a non-traditional forum. Although there are many benefits to using IM as a tool for online classes, there are also many downfalls.
While discussions can easily take place through online forums, there is not the same personal interaction that a face to face discussion would provide. Emotions can easily be misinterpreted when only using written words and can lead to poor communication. Although students can use symbols to convey emotions such as ;-), body language and tone of voice are much more clear and do not get as confusing as written communication. Talk to anyone who has been misinterpreted on an email and they will likely confirm this notion.
Perhaps the use of IM has its place, yet the implementation of IM in a classroom should be deeply scrutinized and not be the sole form of communication. IM is a great way for individuals to chat and exchange ideas, though there lacks in real human contact and can easily lead to problems.
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