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?