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November 15, 2002
Using Instant Messenger Services
By Jeffrey Branzburg
This page is designed specifically with the new-to-technology educator in mind. Please feel free to reproduce it for use in your teacher training sessions or other staff development efforts.
In addition to e-mail and the World Wide Web, instant messaging (commonly called "IM") is one of the most popular services on the Internet.
In its simplest form, instant messaging allows users to have instant, live, text-based "chats" with others over the Internet. Unlike e-mail, in which one sends a message that is stored in the recipient's electronic mailbox until he or she logs on to read it, when using an IM service both sender and recipient are online simultaneously; the moment one sends a message, the other sees it on his or her screen.
The first popular IM service was ICQ ("I Seek You"), developed by Mirabilis. America Online, though, is credited with popularizing instant messaging with AOL Instant Messenger, which it provides to Internet users as part of its browser software or as a separate download. This has enabled even non-AOL subscribers to IM. Other popular services are MSN Messenger from Microsoft (and its Windows XP version, called Windows Messenger For Windows XP) and Yahoo Messenger from Yahoo.
How Does IM Work?
You begin by installing the IM software on your computer (if it was not preinstalled). The IM software, referred to as "client" software, communicates with the IM server, letting it know you are logged on. You then create a contact list (sometimes called a buddy list) of the people with whom you wish to communicate. Each person is identified by a unique user ID they create. If a contact is also logged on, then the server lets each of you know that the other is available to send and receive messages.
What Else Can an IM System Do?
Besides sending and receiving text messages, IM systems may have some or all of these features.
- Chat: Join a number of your contacts to exchange messages in a private chat room.
- File transfer: Send and receive computer files (e.g., photo files, word processing documents, spreadsheets, etc.) to those on your contact list.
- Talk: Speak directly (using your computers) to your contacts. To do so you need a sound card (standard on all computers these days) and a microphone.
- E-mail notification: The system flags new e-mail.
- News headlines or alerts: Instant notification of breaking news.
- Whiteboard: Draw or sketch on your screen; your contact sees it on his or her screen.
- Video messaging: Use Web cams to establish video contact with others.
What Other Issues Are There?
Incompatibility. The major IM systems are not directly compatible-you cannot log onto AOL Instant Messenger, for example, and send an IM to a Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger user. There are third-party services, such Odigo (www.odigo.org), that claim to bridge the gap between the services.
How Can IM Be Used in Education?
- Test review and last-minute questions the night before an exam.
- Teachers can answer questions regarding the night's homework. If you're using a service such as Windows Messenger For Windows XP, the whiteboard feature can provide information such as graphs, diagrams, and charts. Groups of students can meet with their teacher in a private chat room for group tutorials and Q&A sessions.
- Parents and teachers can IM to discuss student progress.
Where Can I Get the Client Software?
You can download the necessary IM software from the vendors' Web sites.
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