Next 5 phenomenas

After our group had narrowed down different perspective of IM culture, I am focusing on the educational IM. I have found some interesting phenomena from the articles and videos as the following.

1. IM in education may help to ease the tense relationship between teachers and students
   
2. more adults or seniors are using IM due to the educational purpose
3. children or teenagers know about the difference of language in IM and in written paper (from the video "teenagers teaching seniors")
4. Other than communcation, IM provides the function of files or inventory sharing
   
5. the findings are around the same in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of IM in education
6. although IM is widely used, IM in education is not
7. IM in education seems useful, but the findings do not show whether is it practical
8. there is not enough evidence showing that the benefits could outweigh the drawbacks
9. all in all, whether is it benefiting depends on individual effort
   

Your Online Life is What You Make of It

The MSN messenger ads

IM in secondlife

IM nightmare?

Teenagers teaching the seniors?

Article 10

Instant Messaging in On-Site and Online Classes in Higher Education

Jeong, Wooseob (2007). Instant Messaging in On-Site and Online Classes in Higher Education. Volume 30, Number 1, EQ Archives. Retrieved on 14th Mar, 2009 from
http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/InstantMessaginginOnSitea/40014

SUMMARY

Similar studies on IM usage in classes, the author agreed that IM might be useful while at the same time there are obstacles. IM could be use for emergency communication needs. Students also find it easier to communicate, felt a stronger sense of community, and had more venues for informal and social communication about class material, the school and their common degree program. With such, the author conducted a study to identify the IM technology's potential, its obstacles and its ideal conditions to use. He found that students have highest satisfaction of using IM for distance learning on top of using it in classroom. The positive prospects of IM that he had found included encourage instant communication which is much more better than emails, expands the students' comfort zone as they might be shy to raise questions face-to-face, and facilitates flexible office hours. While on the negative side, there might be potential for miscommunication due to lack of verbal and visual cues, privacy and intrusiveness issues, and the availability of the instructor and the informality of the communication are still the concerns. The author also found that there were students who do not think that IM is useful due to lack of time and lack of accessibility.

QUESTION

The article brought up a critical issue which is the digital divide. Shouldn't this be considered as well before implementing the incorporation of IM in education?

Article 9

Instant Messaging – Collaborative Tool or Educator’s nightmare!

Farmer, Robert (2003). Instant Messaging - Collaborative Tool or Educator's Nightmare!. Retrieved on 14th Mar, 2009 from

http://www.unb.ca/naweb/proceedings/2003/PaperFarmer.html.

SUMMARY

The paper studied about IM including its usage among students and its advantages and disadvantages. Besides, he also mentioned about IM in education which is my concern that IM is used as a collaborative tool. He stated that the blending of education and learning along the Internet is natural but it is critical to have good connectivity. Immediate and constant connectivity is essential in education to be a useful communication platform. He listed out seven principles which are encourages contact between students and faculty, develops reciprocity and cooperation among students, encourages active learning, gives prompt feedback, emphasizes time on task, communicates high expectations and respects diverse talents and ways of learning.

Similarly with other relevant findings, there are benefits and drawbacks of IM in education. It helps in distance learning, provides active learning, increased collaborative opportunities and it is available globally. Yet it introduces new layers to the learning environment which may or may not be effective, misusage or security issues. At the educators point of view, it may increase the faculty's workload, time of work as longer hours would be spent on teaching and students will expect ubiquitous instructional access.

QUESTION

Despite all the drawbacks and benefits found, why is context factor not included in the consideration since we do not see IM being used in institution of other countries like Singapore?

Article 8

Instant Messaging in Education

Rothman, Ernest (2005, August 04). Instant Messaging in Education.
Retrieved on 14th Mar, 2009 from
http://homepage.mac.com/samchops/B733177502/C1517039664/E20050804121845/index.html.

SUMMARY

This article was about the author's personal experience of integrating IM in his teaching. He thought that students think email as a slow service, but IM produces immediate results. Thus, he decided to use IM because he found that students are reluctant to go to office hours or ask questions in class, IM could be an alternative way for them to seek help. He did not initiate the chat with the students, but rather he gave his IM initial to them in case they need help. He made himself available during office hours and even in the evenings or weekends; also longer time when nearer to exams or assignments due dates. He observed that after a few IM sessions, students who had been reluctant had started to go for office hours consultation and ask questions in class. They also continued to seek help via IM. Although the author continues to use IM in teaching, he did not plan to engage in any formal assessment. He did not state any reason on this.

QUESTION

How do educators deal with the problem of security risk, for instance students may hack into teacher's computer using the information they have gotten for the IM usage in class? Wouldn't it be a force for educators NOT to use IM for educational purposes?

Article 7

Instant Messaging: Is there validity for curriculum integration?

Lindsay, Julie (2006, Aug 30). Instant Messaging: Is there validity for curriculum integration?. Retrieved on 14th Mar, 2009 from
http://123elearning.blogspot.com/2006/08/instant-messaging-is-there-validity.html.

SUMMARY

The article was a post by the Head of Information Technology and E-Learning at Qatar Academy, Doha, State of Qatar to share ideas about E-Learning, ICT integration and digital literacy in education. The author discussed about the possibility of integrating IM into educational classes. Educators want their students to communicate and understand multiculturalism in its many forms and she believed that IM could provide the collaboration that encourage active learning, be it students-to-students or students-to-teachers since it is widely used; although there is potential security risk of individual privacy. However, it is still believed to be useful in Modern Language classes. She argued that video conferencing is expensive for foreign language lessons - distance learning. Thus with IM, ad hoc meeting could be conducted easily with foreign classmates involved and it could be saved for later discussion. There were comments posted by another educator who believed IM is useful with the advantages like just-in-time and on-demand feature of IM, possibility of multiconversations, multiparticipants, asynchronous or synchronous, stay in touch with teachers with better sense of connection and others.

QUESTION

IM is widely used but not in terms of education but leisure communication. Wouldn't it be harder for users or more precisely students to switch their purpose of using IM from leisure to communication?

Article 6

Tapping Instant Messaging

Martineau, Pamela (2007, Sept 12). Tapping Instant Messaging. Digital Directions, Edweek. Retrieved on 14th Mar, 2009 from
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2007/09/12/02im.h01.html.

SUMMARY

The article discussed about the usage of Instant Messaging (IM) in language lessons. IM, is known as a form of real-time online communication between two or more people that is faster than normal e-mail—in classroom instruction say it reaches students where they are. It was suggested to be tapped into students' familiarity to ease them into a wide array of language instruction. It also could a be a practice that validates their familiar IM language and allows them to distinguish between different ways of using that particular language, say English. In addition, it could be a medium for students to recognise colloquialisms, grammar or spelling errors and synonyms. Besides, sending instant messages is also a way to brainstorm ideas for writing assignments while exchanging ideas with mates.

However, there are drawbacks of IM in education. Experts found that it could be a nuisance when students are not using IM appropriately. There must be an educational reason to reinforced in class. Students may also be easily distracted when using IM as they send message of unrelated topics.

QUESTION

I understand that there are benefits as well as drawbacks of using IM in language lessons. But I am wondering one thing, how are they balancing between the benefits and drawbacks to get an overall positive effect?

(More than) 5 Phenomenas

1. worsen eng language abbreviation in writing VS writing encouragement or brainstorming medium
2. a medium for rumors & gossip in workplaces
3. its instantaneous character causes say-the-wrong-things
4. adoption of more informal and casual culture in communications in workplaces
5. IM not just for teenagers as leisure chat, it has come into corporate world, starting to replace other means of communications
6. college culture - students communicate thru IM even if they are just one building or one level apart
7. personal status msg on IM has become an excuse for people to post msg to someone else which he/she otherwise would not
8. IM improved health care industry
9. will be annoying or disturbing whenever the user has some other things to do but too reliant on IM and do not want to turn it off

I also highlighted the key words in my summary and video comments in my blog entries using Diigo, not sure if there are seen publicly.

IM in class

He thinks it's YOU!

Have you ever experienced this?

Personalised short-formed words on IM?

Do not simply LOL/ROFL/LMAO on IM!

Article 5

Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing?

O' Connor, Amanda.
Instant Messaging: Friend or Foe of Student Writing?.
New Horizons for Learning. Retrieved on 8th Mar, 2009 from
http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/literacy/oconnor.htm


SUMMARY

The article was discussing about the effects of instant messaging academically. First of all, the author pointed out the problem of "Internet English" as a breakdown of English language. Students who are frequently using instant messaging are facing the problem of bad grammar, poor punctuation, shorten words and improper abbreviations in academic writing. They are so used to it as they read in instant messaging from their friends so frequently. However, on the other hand, researches found that not only are students writing more than they have in years, but they are also revising and editing as well. It might be true that students write whatever that pops up in mind but many of them read over, reword again and again before sending out the messages to minimises mistakes in language. Due to these two concerns, the author went to a more in-depth discussion of IM and its relationship to academic writing, including strategies implemented by actual classroom teachers. She debated in both sides that instant messaging could be a learning tool for students to brainstorm thoughts and develop intelligent chatting. However, students were needed to be reminded explicitly that standard English is to be used in written paper. Most students would understand the difference. She concluded that it is not possible to determine specifically the effects of instant messaging on formal writing. However, IM is becoming an important literacy in kids' lives, and consequently one that needs to be recognized by teachers.

QUESTIONS

Does IM help in improving the standard of English language, like say one chats with another who has higher English language level?

Article 4

Drinking at the virtual water cooler

Bowman, Lisa M. (2002, Dec 5). Drinking at the virtual water cooler. Business, CNET News. Retrieved on 8th Mar, 2009 from
http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/business/0,39044229,39100481,00.htm.

SUMMARY

This article has brought up another culture by instant messaging, which is the rumors and gossip via instant messenger in workplaces other than being a proper communication tool in corporations. It has enabled users to voice out things that could not be heard, instantaneously. However, at the same time it has blurred the line between working hard and goofing off at a computer keyboard. Workers tend to rely on it as a way to survive cubicle culture. According to the author, some corporations were aware of the problem by instant messaging and started to control it through blocking the messenger. Yet, there were still corporations allowing this communication tool 'free-for-all'. In my point of view, it is quite impossible to blocking the messenger as there are many web-messenger developed for those computers which could not download the messenger. Besides, there were also employers who did not aware of this issue whereby employees overused instant messaging - more than for work.

On the other hand, the author pointed out the more-sophisticated features of instant messengers available led to instant messaging addiction which to me is quite surprising. People start to use the personal status message tool to compete 'ridiculousness' of messages; and also an excuse for others to post messages to some one else when he or she otherwise would not. Lastly the author mentioned one of the tricky situation using instant messager in workplace whereby one may say something that he or she later thought is inappropriate. In addition, although employees could expect to see changes in a freewheeling world that has offered a rare chance for privacy, freedom and friendship within increasingly monitored workplaces; there is another side of it as it may cause the adoption of more casual and informal communication and culture. Instant messaging is concluded to be an integral part of many corporate subcultures.

QUESTIONS

How far does IM reduce the professionalism and formal communication in corporate world as I believe employees and employers nowadays still understands the importance of formal communications occasionally?

Article 3

I.M. Generation Is Changing the Way Business Talks

Strom, David (2006, Apr 5). I.M. Generation Is Changing the Way Business Talks. Technology, New York Times. Retrieved on 8th Mar, 2009 from
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/05/technology/techspecial4/05message.html/partner/rssnyt?_r=1.

SUMMARY

The article was discussing about the trend of instant messaging in corporate world. The instant messenger was no longer just a chatting system for teenagers, but an advanced communication networks for corporation which it has improved productivity and customer response time. Workers within an organisation do not communicate via emails or voices mails anymore. They us instant messenger to send out information in real time. This messenger enables users to know who is available at that moment to support real-time operations as they could instantaneously get feedback. Besides using it to communicate with colleagues, it is also used to tie customer relationships for instance in the health care industry, nurses could get the customer queries answered through instant messaging simultaneously. Some corporations had come out with their own instant messaging system to prevent virus attack. It has become a sophisticated corporate tool.

Instant messagers had also further developed with incorporation of other features like voice and video added on top of text messaging at the same time, made it more powerful and replaceable towards phone calls, voice mails and e-mails. In conclusion, instant messenger had come to the edge of corporate world and replaced other means of communications. However, I believe in corporate world there is still limitations of instant messaging as it could only be used as informal messaging. Important message or information still have to be distributed or sent out through more formal methods like e-mails or hard-copy mailing to enable tracking or records.

QUESTIONS

Other than IM's instantaneous feature, should not the cost-saving be the main reason for people in corporations to use IM for their communications?

Article 2

Instant Messaging Becoming Part of College Culture

Baker, Andrew. Instant messaging becoming part of college culture. The Pendulum Online. Retrieved on 8th Mar, 2009 from
http://www.elon.edu/e-web/pendulum/Issues/2004/3_18/features/aolim.xhtml.

SUMMARY

This short article is stating a phenomena whereby college students are decreasingly communicating with phones or face-to-face even if they are just one building apart. Students do not ask for phone number as a contact medium, but instant messager ID. It is a trend as everybody seems like doing the same thing. The author understands that users nowadays only recognise instant messager services like AOL and MSN as they are the popular ones. He introduced briefly about the first instant messager service - ICQ and on how it was successfully turned popular and it started the trend of this culture. This phenomena of instant messenger communication has developed further with the integration of games, Web-cameras and going mobile. It has turned to be so important in a student's life. They use it to know what is happening around their friends while for guys in particular they use it to talk to girls whom they shy to do so off-screen. But on the other hand, there were students who do not like to use it as they think it would make them lazy. I believe this article was published in years ago as nowadays those who use computers would have at least one instant messenger account.

QUESTIONS

Do college students really care and check out what is happening to their friends through IM status message?

Article 1

Instant Messaging Grows Up

Dean, Katie. (2000, Jan 25). Instant Messaging Grows Up. Lifestyle Culture Wired.com. Retrieved on 8th Mar, 2009 from
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2000/01/33736.

SUMMARY

The article is about the trend of instant messaging. In the very first impression, instant messaging is the flirting, gossiping of teenager; but it had developed "as a killer app that's reshaping communications". It is used for business negotiations, instant reminders, or anytime when email is not fast enough in corporations for mission-critical operations. It has also been an important role in health care services where doctors could be paged in case of emergencies. It also provides stronger links between doctors and patients in a certain extent. However, the author brought up an interesting drawback. There are always times that users have no time for instant messaging. Thus this tool would turn to be annoying or disturbing after which the users are reliant on it too much. Besides, when users are using computers to watch other shows, the messaging might be intrusive. Yet, these problems were argued by some people as they always have the options to turn it off since technology enables this. Hence, to me, it is sometimes factored individually the drawbacks or benefits from instant messaging.

QUESTION

Wondering, what could be the reasons behind for IM users not to turn off the IM even if they are busy in other stuff, or annoyed by it? Is it just too dependent, or want to know who will contact them?

The Digital Ethnography Project of NM3225

Ginnie's EVERNOTE
Group Wetpaint
Group Diigo

The above are the links to my EVERNOTE research and group WETPAINT and Diigo.

I am not sure whether it is accessible without logging in and I could not find the settings to make it publicly viewed. Hope it works for grading.

I am still playing with the websites or tools, a bit complicated to me as sometimes I just could not find the way to make some changes there. -.-