Ripon College Days

Students have long been familiar with a world where acronyms replace common phrases, numbers replace words and names can be anything.

An easy way to keep in touch with friends from other schools, many students use one or multiple instant messengers on a daily basis. But, instant messaging services are now growing more common in the lives of professors.

Instant messaging services allow users to form an online identity through the creation of a screen name or username and an online profile. Best of all, according to first year Dan Syens, "It's fast, and it's free."

Using messaging systems, people can leave messages for friends, have conversations or join chat rooms. If a message is left when a user is not available, it will be there when that individual returns.

For students and professors, instant messaging also offers an opportunity to clear up questions that were not asked in class or for asking and receiving advice about a recent assignment.

Some professors also see messaging as an easy way for students to reach them when they are in and out of the office during the day, as well as a means to reach them during the evening hours.

Director of Communicating Plus and Assistant Professor of Communication Deano Pape uses AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to allow students to ask questions about assignments, clarify readings or keep in touch after they have left the school.

"What I like is when it's used for quick questions," he says. "Catching me on the phone can be tough," he says. "But with instant messaging the message just stays there. I can reply to it when I get back."

Pape has been using instant messaging for two years, and though he thinks it is useful, he understands why not all professors do the same.

Personal communication with people is key in all areas of college, and some feel allowing students to avoid a more personal approach could be detrimental.

Instructor of Communication and Director of Forensics Steve Martin also uses AIM, but as more of a social tool.

The problem Martin has found with instant messaging, as has Pape, is that it reduces personal contact between professors and students.

"The best learning still comes from talking face to face," Martin comments.

He says he uses instant messenger more with his communication majors than other students since he is in more contact with them. He prefers the cyber-chats for "quick, easy questions."

Instant messaging systems have their uses, but Martin says Ripon professors are easy to get ahold of "when you are on a

network like Ripon is, email is almost instantaneous."

But for many, communicating through cyber-space is still an easy, convenient and viable option. When your next question arises, message away.

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