Instant Messaging between Students and Faculty: A Tool for Increasing Student-Faculty Interaction

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Hickerson, C.A. & Giglio, M. (2009). Instant Messaging between Students and Faculty: A Tool for Increasing Student-Faculty Interaction. International Journal on E-Learning, 8(1), 71-88. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/25264.

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Journal Information

International Journal on E-Learning
ISSN 1537-2456
Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2009
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)  Chesapeake, VA

More Information on IJEL

Authors

Corey A. Hickerson, James Madison University, USA; Matt Giglio, Virginia Tech, USA

Abstract

This study explores the pedagogical potential of instant messaging in a communication course. Two instructors made themselves available to students via instant messaging as a supplement to other modes of communication (e.g., e-mail, office hours). In order to gauge students' reactions to and use of the technology, the researchers kept logs of faculty-student interactions and administered a student survey. The results suggest that students will use instant messaging with their instructors for typical academic purposes. Students reported that instant messaging helped academically and enhanced both the quantity and quality of interactions with their instructor. Faculty perceived the technology as offering new teaching tools and supporting rather than hindering instructional needs. The data also suggest using instant messaging does not decrease other forms of faculty-student communication. Overall, both students and instructors found instant messaging a useful educational tool.

Keywords

• Post Secondary Education
• Secondary Education
• Classrooms
• Communication
• Faculty
• Students
• Teachers
• Educational Technology
• eLearning
• Teaching Methods
• Information Communication Technologies
• Internet

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