e-chronicle

Chat and instant messaging (IM) provide a learning community with informal synchronous communication tools, thereby creating a sense of community and overcoming isolation via real-time, a sense of freedom and democracy (online disinhibition effect) due to lack of visual cues, enabling spontaneous and in-depth interaction with the whole community, small groups or one-on-one. In addition, recorded chats and transcripts can be made available for later use, and IM allows immediate access to instructor or other learners when needed. Chat norms and culture may have to be taught for effective use of the tool. Arranging a chat session can be a challenge if learners are in different time zones. Technical requirements for chat and IM might also be challenging to some learners. Frustration can arise when learners are bumped from chat, and have to log back in and catch up. Positive experience in chat and IM, in a structured format and with instructor support, can stimulate learners cognitively, socially and emotionally, thus create a deeper connection with community.

Dawley, L 2007, ‘Chat and instant messaging’, in The tools for successful online teaching, Information Science Publishing, Hershey, pp. 121–143. 

This entry was posted on May 17, 2008 at 9:34 pm and is filed under Learning 2.0, Web 2.0, communication, e-learning, learning, learning community, sense of community, social learning, web-based learning tools.