Week 4 - Instant Messaging

To successfully complete No. 1 - Instant Messaging, you must...

READ this blog post.
DO and THINK about the information in the "Learn More About" activities.
LEARN by completing the Hands On Activities, including reading the Important Tips.

Your total time commitment is about 30 to 40 minutes.


Introduction to Instant Messaging


Instant messaging (IM) is a form of online communication that allows real-time (or close to) interaction between two or more people through personal computers or mobile computing devices via the Internet. IM users can exchange messaging privately, similar to email, or join a group conversation. Although typed text remains the primary convention for IM, the technology has grown and now allows users to send images, audio and video files and other attachments.
An early version of IM appeared first in the late 1990s. The list of IM tools has grown to include dozens of applications. Technologies that enable IM such as wireless connectivity and web-ready mobile devices have become widespread.

The interactive nature of IM is closer to spoken conversation that written correspondence. Users communicate in a manner that is a step beyond email. They get a sense of presence of other IM users through emoticons and other devices. Yet, they have a perception of distance and often safety.

Hundreds of millions of people use IM to stay connected. According to the September 2004 study "How Americans Use Instant Messaging," by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 53 million adults send instant messages on a daily basis. More importantly, an entire generation --- the Millenninals ---is growing up using IM. They do not think of it as technology. It's a regular communication channel that suits their needs.

Listen to a podcast on Instant messaging.





"Learn More About" Instant Messaging


1. Read this Wikipedia article on Instant Messaging, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_messaging. (Time Commitment 5 minutes)
2. Read this article Email is Dead, at http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/general-other-im-news/41527-ap-aol-instant-messaging-trends-survey-email-dead.html (5 minutes)
3. Read this article, Instant Messaging Proves Useful In Reducing Workplace Interruption, at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603120251.htm (2 minutes)



Hands on Activity

Part 1 - Try Instant Messaging
NOTE: Instant Messaging requires an account with an Instant Messaging service and a software download on your personal computer. To eliminate these obstacles, you will experience Instant Messaging through a web-based tool called Meebome. This tool allows anyone --- without benefit of a personal IM account--- to interact with library staff via Instant Messaging technology. Curious about how it works? Check it out at http://www.meebo.com/about/.

• Go to the URL http://www.vbgov.com/askvbpl during the service hours of Monday through Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m or Saturday 1 to 5 p.m.
• The status will show ASK VBPL online; type a question into the small box. The box says Type here and hit enter to send. Library staff will send you a response that will display in the larger box just above where you typed.
  

Part 2 - Create a blog post about your Instant Messaging experience

• Sign onto Blogger
• Select the new post link in your dashboard or the create link under the Posting tab.
  Use the compose tab to type a brief message about your experience with this hands-on activity. Questions to get you started: Was it easy? Did you enjoy it? How can IM help you improve communication at home or at work?
• When you have finished typing and are ready to publish your thoughts, select the orange button, publish post. This will add the post to your blog. Select the blue button, save now; the blog post will be added to your list of posts for editing and publishing at a later time.

Great job! Next week, you will explore multi-media.