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IM and Chat
What is it? 
Instant messaging (IM) is a form of text-based real-time communication between two or more people over a network. IMs boost communications due to the real-time nature and can be less intrusive than phone communications. An added benefit is the ability for users to receive IMs with their mobile devices such as cellular phones and pocket PCs.
A chat room is a form of synchronous conferencing similar to instant messaging but on a larger scale. Online chat is also a real-time text communication tool but allows many users to receive messages at once. Many instant messaging programs also have the ability to allow users to meet in a chat room for group discussions. The most popular type of online chat is Internet Relay Chat (IRC).
IM and Chat
What are the educational uses and benefits?
Classroom Management:
- Holding IM office hours permits students in face to face or distance courses to meet and communicate with the instructor in a real-time environment.
Discussion:
- Instructor and students can participate in synchronous discussions and text presentations.
- During synchronous discussions instructors can have students break out into other chat rooms to form subgroups for small group activities.
- Students who may not participate in a face to face discussion may feel less intimidated to participate via IM or chat rooms.
IM and Chat
How do I get started?
There are multiple free IM and Chat programs available on the Internet such as:
- AIM
- Cahoots
- Ebuddy
- Google Talk
- Jabber
- Meebo
- MSN
- Skype
- Trillian
- Windows Live
- Yahoo!
Most of these IM and Chat programs will require background information and that the user create a username and password. Each IM and Chat program provider will offer different options, tools, and features.
University of Florida students, staff, and faculty can also access the chat feature of E-Learning at UF.
IM and Chat
Where can I learn more?
- AIM Instant Messenger: A free instant messaging and chat room program from America Online.
- Google Talk: A free instant messaging program from Google.
- MSN Instant Messenger: A free instant messaging and chat room program from MSN.
- Trillian: A free instant messaging shell program from Cerulean Studios that allows users to message with AIM, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, and IRC users simultaneously in the same interface.
- Wikipedia - Instant Messaging: Detailed definition and examples of Instant Messaging.
- Yahoo Instant Messenger: A free instant messaging and chat room program from Yahoo.
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