Abstract:

Since Instant Messaging Software –ICQ (I Seek You) had been greatly popularized, functions of other instant messaging softwares, such as MSN, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, Google Talk and Yam QQ created recently, become more and more. Nowadays, via instant messaging software, people can do oral conversation, video conference, file transfer or more other multi-media affairs with concepts of Web 2.0 combined with mobile phone as well as communication in words and emotion icons. Instant messaging software’s powerful functions allow of brand-new communication methods, bringing neatly a revolution of network and communication.

Instant messaging software not only changes the way people interact with each other but also provides opportunities for learners in the network era to interact with each other. From research about instant messaging software application to education environment, researchers mainly discuss in aspects of social interaction, inner feelings, role of media, knowledge dissemination and communication content, most in the aspect of social interaction.

This study is going to collect and discuss theories and issues of instant messaging software about social interaction in education by survey. First apropos of theories, social presence, interaction & outeraction, computer-mediated communication apprehension, self-disclosure would be mentioned about their education implications in environment full of instant messaging software. Second, observation and discovering on social interaction issues in related research would be analyzed, for example, online status, social identity, social network, awareness of presence and so on. At last, we discuss students’ feeling by questionnaires and discourse analysis.

From related research analysis, instant messaging software provides new methods of social interaction. Concerning its application to education, most of researches are aimed at students in senior high schools and colleges. Although students accept instant messaging software more easily and it does help interaction in learning activities, it brings about troubles to some teachers when teaching. Furthermore regarding students social interaction, frequency of interaction online is higher than that in classroom. According to instant interaction mainly among learners, instant messaging software can promote discussion among them and further improve community identity but help their grades in reality.

Keywords:

instant messaging software, social interaction, cscl.