Student Usage Rate

   According to DoIT's 2004 UW Madison Student Computing Survey Report, seventy percent of students are already using Instant Messaging.

IM Basics

Instant messaging = "real-time text communication." It is a tool through which two or more people can communicate "instantly" textually.

(http://www.blacktable.com/imhandbook.htm)

Uses

A simple and cheap way to chat with friends and acquaintances who are not in your presence (although it is not uncommon to chat with folks who are in the same room as you). This technology is used to ask a quick question, to say hi, to send someone a link, or to have a lengthy conversation or "chat." Instant messenger services can be used to transfer files, to hold audio and video chats, and to chat with multiple people at once. Purposes are generally highly social, although Instant Messaging is also used in offices for communication between coworkers and in educational settings.

Suggestions for Educational Uses

*Students who are shy to speak up in front of class may feel less intimidated to participate or to ask questions via IM.

Hold IM office hours. Give your screenname to your students and let them know that you will be online and available to answer questions between 6 and 8pm on Tuesdays.

Have an online quiz review session. Students can ask questions to each other or to the professor in an group chat setting.

Use audio and/or video chat to host a long-distance guest speaker during lecture.

Hold an in-class discussion via IM. (NOTE: there is nothing preventing students from chatting with other friends, checking their e-mail, or surfing the net if they have internet access in class.)

IM Jargon

screenname - Each user of an instant messenger service must create a unique identification, usually composed of an arrangement of words and numbers. This will serve as their "name" in the instant messenger environment. Eg. FluffyBunny41423, CASurferGuy9901, ProfessorMileson

buddy list - A roster of your contacts or "buddies." This will be a list of your contacts' names, nicknames, or more likely, their screennames. The buddy list will most likely indicate whether your buddies are online, offline, or idle.

buddy icon - Instant messaging version of the avatar. "An icon or representation of a user in a shared virtual reality.... A picture that a... user has elected to display alongside his or her contributions in order to represent him or herself. "( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_%28virtual_reality%29)

emoticon - "Emoticons are facial expressions made by a certain series of keystrokes. Most often producing an image of a face sideways." Examples: Smile :-)     Frown :-(     Wink ;-)
( http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/emoticons.html )

away message - A message you can leave if you are online but away from your computer; the IM "equivalent of the message on a telephone answering machine." Other users who have your screenname will be able to view your away message. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_Messenger)

Etiquette

• Students may be annoyed if you ask them to download a messenger that they do not standardly use. If you are going to use IM with students, we might recommend that you use a service such as Trillian (or Adium for Mac) which is compatible with a number of different messenger services such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, AIM, etc.

• Stick to brief sentences. Hit return often.

• Typing all in lowercase is a common practice in instant messaging environments, and is completely acceptable.

• On the other hand, typing all in capital letters should not be done often. It equates to strongly emphasizing or shouting in instant messaging environments.

• Instant messaging is not an appropriate venue for all conversations. Remember if you have something important to communication that it is more meaningful to tell someone in person.

• Emoticons (http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/emoticons.html ) are acceptable if not used in excess. :0)

• Remember when you instant message someone that they are likely busy doing something else. They may even be away from their keyboard, even if they haven't put an away message up!

• When IMing students:
  • Identify yourself by name at the beginning of the conversation.
  • Stay on topic.
  • Tell students, "if you do not see me online, feel free to send your question by e-mail. I will respond to you within _______. " This would also be a good away message.

Getting Started

You need two things to chat. 1) The Screenname of a friend, family member, coworker, or acquaintance 2) An instant messaging service that is compatible with that of your acquaintance.*

Remember: Stick to brief sentences. Hit return often. Use emoticons to help indicate the tone of a message
;-) Use "away messages" when out and a "profile" to say a bit about yourself. Expect to run into some strange abbreviations such as brb for "be right back." For a complete list of abbreviations see: http://www.netlingo.com/emailsh.cfm

Popular IM Products (all free for download)

• AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

• MSN Messenger

• Trillian* (Trillian can connect to several other messengers including AIM and MSN.)

• Adium for Mac* (Adium is also compatible with numerous other instant messengers)