Socialization in the “virtual hallway”: Instant messaging in the asynchronous web-based distance education classroom

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Socialization in the “virtual hallway”: Instant messaging in the asynchronous web-based distance education classroom

S. Nicholson

Abstract

This research reports the findings from a survey that examined the differences in communication between students who used instant messenger (IM) services and those who did not in the same asynchronous distance education Web-based course. It was found that students who used IM services found it easier to communicate, felt a stronger sense of community, and had more venues for informal and social communication about not only class material, but also information about the school and their common degree program. In traditional classroom buildings, the common spaces such as hallways provide the venue for this informal communication, IM services can enhance the distance education environment by providing the ‘‘virtual hallways’’ for students and instructors to meet.

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Annotation

Students in online and distance courses lack many of the social contacts and interactions that face-to-face and in-person students have. This missing social aspect of the classroom may be solved by implementing an instant messaging (IM) tool into courses. The author suggests that IM can be either incorporated using in-platform IM or external IM systems either hosted by the school or outside corporate partners.

One drawback to using IM in courses would be the inconvenience of needing to be online at the same time as classmates in order to gain the most benefits from the tool. However, IM may also allow online students to form a better sense of community and belonging with the added social benefits.

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