Computers in the Classroom (on IM)
Posted by learningleads on April 24, 2008
In Datacloud: Toward a New Theory of Online Work, Johndan Johnson-Eilola discusses some of his early struggles with allowing students to use IM in his computer-based classroom. His concern that students would use InstantMessaging (IM) for personal use seems valid, but how do instructors weigh the benefits of having such communicative tools against the potential set-backs in an instructional setting?
Johnson-Eilola’s concern goes beyond the undergraduate classroom. As users of technology, many are constantly looking to communicate with the tools to which we have access. My business uses MS Communicator–a form of IM that can only be accessed, in our set-up, by employees (whether they are in the building or in another country). When I attended a training for my job out of state, the instructor was adament about requesting the learners not check their emails or IM during the instructional time. Although my IM status was set to “Busy” I was still getting IMs from co-workers at home: “Hey, how was your flight?” “What’s the weather like down there?” While these forms of commication were easy to ignore, it wasn’t so easy to ignore the pop-ups indicating I had received an email pertaining to my current project. We’re pulled to open and respond to reconcile outstanding issues. I assume others felt the same, as we received several admonishing reminders that we would be allowed time to check out messages during the break.
Despite the potential distractions, IM provides immediate transfer of information, whether it be a file or discussion. Johnson-Eilola recognizes these benefits, but I question to what extent his concerns about IM reflect a larger concern of instructors’ hesitance to allow computers/laptops in the classroom (for non-computer-based courses). This would likely move the point of focus in the classroom from a lecture podium or white board to the student’s own screen, but is this a bad thing? It may initiate a new kind of distraction, but how else are we to obtain progress?
