The article Tapping Instant Messaging by Pamela Martineau is about how some teachers have been using instant messaging (IM) as a learning tool. Martineau interviews William Kist, an assistant professor at Kent State University, who describes how he uses IM in his classroom. Kist believes that instant messaging is an untapped resource and that literacy involves understanding of all types of digital media. Kist feels that some teachers are old fashioned and untrustworthy of IM in general. In a 6-8 grade classroom, a teacher in Texas uses IM abbreviations as part of a lesson plan. They discuss tone, audience and appropriate Internet abbreviations. Another example of IM being brought into the classroom is during lectures. The teacher allows students to IM each other questions they have about the lecture while it is taking place. Overall Kist believes that IM is an important literary skill to understand and be able to process.
I completely disagree with William Kist. I do not think IM should be allowed in the classroom. I do agree with Kist that understanding electronic media is a form of literacy, but I disagree that IM (as a form of electronic media) needs to be taught. When email first came around, I was never personally taught how to write an email. Then why should students be taught to write a text message? In short stories and essays students are taught about audience, tone and expression. Students should be able to relay this information into their personal lives when talking on the phone or writing a text message. I do not think IM should be allowed during lectures either. I’m going to be nieve and actually pretend those students do indeed IM questions about the lecture. By letting that occur it almost lets the teachers off the hook with teaching. The teacher would simply just have to do his lecture, leave and let the students discuss and solve problems among themselves. This restricts personal contact between students and teachers. However, I’m not nieve and in all honestly what student will IM another during the lecture about a question they have? If I had a question I’d raise my hand and ask it. If I IM someone I’d miss the next 3 minutes and have more questions. Also, no student is going to IM other students in the classroom about the lecture, likely they will be IM their girlfriend, boyfriend, friends, parents, etc. Finally, some students can’t afford cellphones. So teaching a class to use text messaging when not all students owe a cellphone can make those students feel very underprivileged.
However IM can be a benefit to students interacting with their teachers outside of the classroom. If there is questions about the homework a student can IM the teacher and ask, and it allows an instant reply.
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4 comments:
After reading "Tapping Instant Messaging by" Pamela Martineau, I must admit I am concerned about this issue. While I completely agree with Chad's points about how incorporating cell phone usage in class enforces class distinctions (unless of course the class provides cell phones to each student which is highly doubtful), could condemning popular computer speech be the same as discriminating against a foreign dialect?
Instead of actually teaching text messaging, maybe teachers could tell students that they will not be penalized for abbreviating certain words during note taking and ungraded exercises. After examining the changes English has made as a language over the years, it is probably best not to condemn a brand new, evolutionary style of writing which conforms and grows as a result of our culture. In time, who knows, it is possible computer or IM speech could be nationally recognized as shorthand. As for now, while in formal papers it could never be accepted, it could be a timesaving help for students who are taking notes or working on informal assignments in class.
The idea of having IM in the classroom is a terrible idea. Students will become even more unproductive if this is allowed. Today it is hard enough having students even in college settings pay attention to what is going on in class for they are to worried and interested in who is texting them. Believing that it is already disrespectful with this occurring, allowing IMing in the classroom will lead students further away from instruction. The end result is that students will be failing and the administrations will put the blame on the teacher. They will do this so that their grants they received for allowing this technology will not be revoked. This also shows laziness in people these days. What ever happened to raising your hand and asking the question. Instead, Johnny will most likely write to Billy, " Hey do u understand this? lol If not, tell me your concern on my wall ttyl." I agree with Chad though that yes students should be givien the opportunity to IM their teachers only at home if a question should come up when studying or doing homework.
I agree with both Chad and Travis. Instant Messaging in the classroom does nothing but take the focus off of whatever the teacher is trying to teach. Most students have a hard enough time learning to raise their hand in class anyway, this gives them an easy way out, and one that they will more than likely not use responsibly.
But I do agree that Instant Messaging is alright outside of the classroom. Though face to face conversation would obviously be preferable, in this day and age with all the activities students are involved in there seems little other choice. And I am positive that IMing is a better way to get students to voice their questions for the teacher than having them call on the phone. This and emailing will be great assets to teachers now, as long as they use them in the right way.
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