Can ““Information Age”” learners effectively multi-task in the classroom? Can synchronous classroom activities be designed around conceptually related tasks, to encourage deeper processing and greater learning of classroom content? This research was undertaken to begin to address these questions. In this study, we explored the use of instructionally-related instant messaging (IM) discussions du...

This paper presents an exploratory study of college-age students using twoway, push-to-talk cellular radios. We describe the observed and reported use of cellular radio by the participants, the activities and purposes for which they adopted it, and their responses. We then examine these empirical results using mediated communication theory. Cellular radios have a unique combination of affordanc...

The tools described in film theory are used to invoke feelings in the viewer as a form of entertainment. Some of these tools apply more directly to chatbots than others. Film combines visual images, music, and dialog to accomplish its goals. Conversing with a chatbot is akin to using a telegraph, or instant messaging on a cell phone. However, written communication may still convey emotions and ...

During the 1990’s the use of e-mail and mobile phones for personal communication became commonplace in the Nordic countries. Starting in the professional environment it was diffused into the private sphere. In the early 2000’s a similar development of text messages (SMS) and instant messaging (IM) could be observed, however, with a reversed pattern of diffusion: usage became popular first in th...

Along with high-resolution color screens, mega-pixel cameras and other advances in hardware, today’s mobile handsets are equipped with powerful software, enabling rich user interfaces and sophisticated features and applications. Many features have been tightly integrated with the embedded software on mobile handsets, including: browsers, multimedia messaging (MMS) and instant messaging clients,...

Instant Messaging (IM) is an Internet-based protocol application that allows one-to-one communication between users employing a variety of devices. [1] Recently, Instant Messaging has already obtained the remarkable success as P2P communication tool. In some places, it already took the place of e-mail as the first choice for long distance communication. In the mobile area, the Short Message Ser...