How to use Instant Messaging and Short Messaging Service
OVERVIEW
What is Instant Messaging?
Instant Messaging (IM) is an on-screen text conversation between two or more individuals, sent and received instantly if all parties are online.
Instant Messaging creates a direct personal link between two or more people, who have agreed to make contact. There are inherent dangers in this type of communication for personal use by children outside school, although teachers can constructively use Instant Messaging in the classroom to address such issues. Instant Messaging requires specific software to be installed for the particular service chosen.
Instant Messaging services allow you to construct a list of contacts, such as colleagues and friends, to whom you can send Instant Messages. With services such as Windows Messenger, you may only send the other party a message if they are online. Once you log in, a list of your contacts is shown on screen and will show if any of them are also online.
What is the Short Messaging Service?
The Short Messaging Service (SMS) is the correct name for mobile phone text messaging (‘texting’ for short). There are many websites available that offer a free SMS, meaning that you can send a text message from the Internet to a mobile phone, as well as from mobile to mobile.
SMS or 'texting' allows you to communicate with others worldwide. SMS requires you to use a limited number of characters per message (160 for a standard length SMS message). The use of symbols and emoticons, such as smiley faces, enables young people to overcome literacy and language barriers. The use of digital photography and video images in conjunction with SMS is becoming increasingly common. The sender and receiver of the SMS both require a mobile phone with a camera to send/receive images or video clips.
HARDWARE NEEDED
· Computer
· Internet connection
· Web cam(optional)
· Microphone (optional)
SOFTWARE NEEDED
Obtaining free Instant Messaging software
Messaging software is available as a download from the Internet. The basic service is free. Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo! provide popular messaging services:
Microsoft Windows Messenger (MSN)
http://messenger.msn.com/
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)
http://www.aol.co.uk/aim/
Yahoo! Messenger
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
You will need to decide on an Instant Messaging service to use. Windows Messenger (often referred to as MSN) is the most popular but there are also AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and Yahoo! Messenger. (Note that AOL state that users should be aged 18 or over. Please check the conditions currently in force for your chosen service).
For Instant Messaging, you will need a valid email address to register, as part of the registration process involves email. You will need to choose a screen name and password.
Obtaining free SMS services
The following providers offer a free Web-based SMS service (you may need to register first):
· http://www.o2.co.uk/
· www.free-sms-text.com/
· http://www.vodafone.co.uk/
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS – INSTANT MESSAGING
How to use Instant Messaging
All three Instant Messaging services listed above have clear instructions on the download and use of their messaging services. Supporting materials are clear and concise enough to be used by adults or children.
Getting started
· Launch your chosen Instant Messaging software and ensure the computer is connected to the Internet.
· Log into your account, using the details that you registered with.
· Once logged in, you can send messages to any of your contacts who are also online.
· Simply select an online contact and double click them to start an Instant Messaging conversation.
· Depending on the service you use, it is possible to connect a Web cam and microphone as well, so that you can type to, as well talk to and see your contact (if they also have the necessary accessories).
· Depending on the service you select, you can also swap files whilst chatting on an Instant Messaging service. This would be useful when discussing an assignment and is easier than emailing a file, since the file transfer can be done through the Instant Messaging software.
· Instant Messaging services also allow you and a contact to surf the Internet together.
Before using IM with a partner school, practice using it within the ICT classroom. Some activities, which could be used as starters, include timing how long it takes a message to get round the whole class and back to you. Or try using IM as a quiz tool - send a question out as a message and watch for the first answer to come back. (You are likely to receive lots in quick succession, but this keeps the pupils focused and motivated.)
Using Instant Messaging safely
As with all communications, care should be taken if pupils have access to messaging services within schools.
Care must be taken that pupils are conversing with suitable contacts and should be supervised at all times. There is an excellent article at the link below which looks at safety in all digital communication.
http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk/schools/document.php3?D=d51
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS – SHORT MESSAGING SERVICE
How to use the Short Messaging Service (SMS)
To use a Web-based SMS service, select a free service provider and register with them.
Log into your account and navigate to where you can send a free SMS message.
Type in the recipient’s mobile phone number. Most free SMS services allow you to have an online telephone book, so that you don’t have to type in the recipient’s number each time.
You can set up groups, so that you can send a message to several people at once. For example, this is useful for setting up a meeting or informing a class of pupils about a forthcoming lesson.
Type out your message, remembering to type your name at the end. When sending an SMS message from mobile to mobile, people rarely put their name at the end, since the recipient will often have the sender’s number stored in their mobile phone. In this way, the recipient will usually know who has sent them a message.
When an SMS message is sent via the Internet, the sender’s name is not displayed. The name of the sender will normally display the name of the website, such as O2 or Vodafone. It is therefore important to sign your name at the end of the message.
Once you are happy with the message, click send. The message should normally be delivered within seconds to the recipient’s mobile phone.
Note that you can sometimes send free SMS messages to any mobile phone in the world.
When you have sent all your messages, log out of your account. Some accounts allow a limited number of free messages per day. With O2 it is 20 SMS messages per day; with http://www.free-sms-text.com/ it is 10.
How much can you type?
A standard-length, mobile-to-mobile SMS message is 160 characters. Some phones allow you to send longer messages, but not all phones can receive extra-long messages.
Web-based SMS services usually permit fewer characters, since some of the 160 characters are taken up with an advertising message.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information on getting started, finding contacts, privacy settings and answers to frequently asked questions:
Microsoft Windows Messenger
http://messenger.msn.com/
AOL Instant Messenger
http://www.aol.co.uk/aim/
Yahoo! Messenger
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
Introduce pupils to Instant Messaging by explaining how it works using the ‘How Stuff Works’ site
http://www.howstuffworks.com/instant-messaging.htm?printable=1
Using the Internet safely
http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk/
Background information and safety information on using IM/SMS in schools
· http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=issue_wireless
http://www.ngfl.gov.uk/
http://www.schoolzone.co.uk/
http://www.schoolzone.co.uk/edutxt/main.htm
http://wiredkids.org/site_map.html
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