Instant messaging is one technology that should be utilized in classrooms. One of the best aspects about IMing is the fact that it is “instant.” Questions can be asked and answered instantly. If in a lesson a student has a question they can IM a classmate or even the teacher without interrupting which will help with classroom management. When taking notes a student may not have heard something and may need it repeated but instead of wasting time having the teacher repeat it or disrupting class to ask a friend the student can IM someone for the answer. Instruction time is so valuable that this will help increase it, a good thing when trying to market IMing to higher ups.
Another aspect that IM can bring to the classroom is it is great for communication and collaborative work. Kids can instantly share information, help each other, and get different perspectives without even leaving their seat. If structured correctly it can be a great tool. One example may be to have students discussing a topic in class with a partner. Sharing information or reflecting on something they read. The partners can “chat” answering questions that are assigned or what they read. Then to get a different perspective they can change partners without even changing their seats. They can just start a conversation with another buddy in the class. Another example is it is a great way for students to create a study guide for a test. They can easily answer questions for each other and then put them into the study guide. Another positive is that teachers can also save transcripts. The will make evaluating a bit easier because the conversation is in writing so grading content can be done, but also to see if their students are staying on task.
The article stated on page 475 that instant messaging is multimodal. As teachers this may make IM an even more important tool. As we know there a great number of times student are absent from class. With IMing being multimodal we can counteract the excuse well “I wasn’t here so I missed the notes, assignment, group work…” Instant messaging can let kids be in class with out being in class. The teacher can send transcripts to the absent student. With the capabilities of IMing now talking and video are possibilities. The student can hear the lecture and be a part of group discussions.
IMing also helps the very shy reserved student or students with learning disabilities. Many times kids can be mean and make fun of each other for asking stupid questions or talk about each other for not knowing an answer. Many kids are embarrassed to ask questions and sometimes to look “cool” and not be considered a nerd they don’t answer questions as well. IM can let the reserved kid ask the teacher a question without the embarrassment.
With all technology there are always pitfalls and problems. The article brought up language because of the shorthand, spelling and grammar which we all know occurs. But the article also stated that the students are spelling things out. “Our participants were especially consciousness with those individuals they were trying to impress” (Lewis and Fabos, p483 2005). If used in class with a teacher making an impression will more than likely occur.
Another pitfall may be cheating. This would be difficult to police except if the teacher had lessons that mostly required collaboration and not allow the computer to be on during assessments in which kids had to work individually.
Other problems maybe kids staying on task and not “chatting” about prom dresses, boyfriends, sports, or cars. But if a teacher is saving and collecting transcripts that could help lessen the off task IMing. Another problem maybe is that students will always hide behind the computer screen and never really learn how to talk properly face to face. The way of the world is behind a computer screen with people either in the same office or a colleague half way around the world. But professional face to face etiquette is just as important as online “netiquette.”
Instant messaging is a great teaching tool that needs to be utilized. It is what kids know, it is the way of the future, and will enhance learning. Students will be motivated in the classroom and practice new literacies at the same time. Many computers in school systems block instant messaging so that is a roadblock that needs to be addressed. But if teachers are willing to structure their lessons to include IMing the positives outweigh the negatives. In my opinion the old saying of “if you can’t beat em, join em” holds true for instant messaging in the classroom.
Another aspect that IM can bring to the classroom is it is great for communication and collaborative work. Kids can instantly share information, help each other, and get different perspectives without even leaving their seat. If structured correctly it can be a great tool. One example may be to have students discussing a topic in class with a partner. Sharing information or reflecting on something they read. The partners can “chat” answering questions that are assigned or what they read. Then to get a different perspective they can change partners without even changing their seats. They can just start a conversation with another buddy in the class. Another example is it is a great way for students to create a study guide for a test. They can easily answer questions for each other and then put them into the study guide. Another positive is that teachers can also save transcripts. The will make evaluating a bit easier because the conversation is in writing so grading content can be done, but also to see if their students are staying on task.
The article stated on page 475 that instant messaging is multimodal. As teachers this may make IM an even more important tool. As we know there a great number of times student are absent from class. With IMing being multimodal we can counteract the excuse well “I wasn’t here so I missed the notes, assignment, group work…” Instant messaging can let kids be in class with out being in class. The teacher can send transcripts to the absent student. With the capabilities of IMing now talking and video are possibilities. The student can hear the lecture and be a part of group discussions.
IMing also helps the very shy reserved student or students with learning disabilities. Many times kids can be mean and make fun of each other for asking stupid questions or talk about each other for not knowing an answer. Many kids are embarrassed to ask questions and sometimes to look “cool” and not be considered a nerd they don’t answer questions as well. IM can let the reserved kid ask the teacher a question without the embarrassment.
With all technology there are always pitfalls and problems. The article brought up language because of the shorthand, spelling and grammar which we all know occurs. But the article also stated that the students are spelling things out. “Our participants were especially consciousness with those individuals they were trying to impress” (Lewis and Fabos, p483 2005). If used in class with a teacher making an impression will more than likely occur.
Another pitfall may be cheating. This would be difficult to police except if the teacher had lessons that mostly required collaboration and not allow the computer to be on during assessments in which kids had to work individually.
Other problems maybe kids staying on task and not “chatting” about prom dresses, boyfriends, sports, or cars. But if a teacher is saving and collecting transcripts that could help lessen the off task IMing. Another problem maybe is that students will always hide behind the computer screen and never really learn how to talk properly face to face. The way of the world is behind a computer screen with people either in the same office or a colleague half way around the world. But professional face to face etiquette is just as important as online “netiquette.”
Instant messaging is a great teaching tool that needs to be utilized. It is what kids know, it is the way of the future, and will enhance learning. Students will be motivated in the classroom and practice new literacies at the same time. Many computers in school systems block instant messaging so that is a roadblock that needs to be addressed. But if teachers are willing to structure their lessons to include IMing the positives outweigh the negatives. In my opinion the old saying of “if you can’t beat em, join em” holds true for instant messaging in the classroom.
2 comments:
You offer many ideas for communication and collaboration with IM for people of all ability levels. I think it is a wonderful learning tool to incorporate into the classroom. Maybe teachers/administrators feel threatened b/c kids know more about it than they do?!
In reference to your comment relating to shy children. I can definitely see IMing as an asset. Lewis and Fabos touch upon this with the tandem IMing and also this idea of impersonating people or having multiple 'identities'. I also think IMing would be a great tool for the excessive blabbermouth who can't seem to shut up in class. Given the task of IMing instead of talking, he/she might improve/transfer on a lot of skills (typing, spelling, brevity, word selection, harnessing thought, etc.). It just seems like it can be an additional tool to a growing arsenal to use in certain situation.
Post a Comment