Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging

http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/literacy/oconnor.htm
http://www.instantmessagingsystem.com/benefits.asp

Instant messaging is an effective way for students to get ahold of each other
quickly and be able to shar ideas through group chatting or arranging times
to get on when I'm online incase of questions the students or parents may
have. There are several different options to pick from to be able to chat.
There is MSN instant messenger, AOL instant messenger (AIM), and
Yahoo instant messenger. I would probably require my students to have
an account for a couple but use the primary classroom messenger under
MSN. This way I would set aside time each day or each week when
the students and parents will know I'm online and they can get on
and contact me with any questions, problems or concerns they may have.
This will make it easier on me and for parents who don't have time to
reach me in person.
Instant messaging can be a tad bit scary because of how private it can be.
So I will have strict rules when my students use it to chat with a student
from our partner class out of state. They will have limited information they
are allowed to send out and must ask a teacher or parent before disclosing
any personal information. But this opportunity for them to be able to chat
with other students will give them an opportunity to work on communication
skills and learn a little bit more about their peers outside of the walls of their
school.
As a teacher I will be very cautious with this tool because I'm aware with the
dangers it holds. But I look forward to using it to help students work on their
typing, communication and learn to work with uploading pictures and
information through their profiles. I hope the students can learn more about
conversational skills by learning to communicate with peers and with their
teacher using instant messaging as well.