Digital Learning Technologies/Social/Instant Messaging

Overview
Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet. More advanced instant messaging software clients also allow enhanced modes of communication, such as live voice or video calling and inclusion of links to media.

See also Web Conferencing anf Social Networking

Examples



 * Microsoft: Live Messenger (and Lynx)
 * Skype
 * Google - attached to gmail
 * In Adobe connect it allows students without a web cam or microphone to interact with the class
 * ICQ
 * Yahoo! Messenger
 * AIM
 * eBuddy
 * Xfire--AdrianLim 17:57, 4 March 2012 (EST)
 * U-Stream ( http://www.ustream.tv/ ) Live streaming video
 * 3D : IMVU (http://www.imvu.com/)
 * Consolidation
 * meebo (2009)


 * Microbloggers
 * Twitter
 * identi.ca Arranges the blogs into groups (by status.net). Users subscribe to groups rather than followers (as in twitter). All content added under Creative Commons
 * Freelish Similar to twitter (by status.net) All content added under Creative Commons.

Twitter

 * Flashy ways to display a twitter feed ( http://www.cats-pyjamas.net/2011/06/twitterwalls-the-writings-on-the-wall/ )
 * Example http://visibletweets.com/#query=%23vmvwiki&animation=1
 * Is Twitter a Waste of Time? - Infographic

Issues

 * A big advantage is that the conversation is recorded and can be read quickly (our reading speed is much faster than our listening speed)


 * The disadvantage is that the actual conversation depends on the typing skills of the participants.