I just read an article at the Chronicle of Higher Education, about a teacher's troubled attempt to use IM to interface with students. It's called "The Professor as Internet Messenger" (that link might expire in a few weeks, so apologies if it goes nowhere).
This made me wonder: what do college students really think about having professors in their "space" online (with the exception, of course, of jweb and course blogs). If they had "virtual office hours" on IM, would you use them? Would it trouble you if a teacher ping'd you with a question about missing work? Do you already IM profs, or wish you could?
And what about other "spaces" like Facebook or personal blogs on myspace.com or elsewhere? I'm personally reluctant to go there; they seem like private areas where students should be free to not have to look over their shoulders.
Anyway, I'm just curious what the students' viewpoint on all this is. Anyone care to comment?
I find this prospect interesting. While I think that possible AIM would be beneficial, I am rather skeptical about My space or Xanga, or a "Diary" Webpage. I think that the Blogs are sufficient enough for that, and quite honestly, looking at a profile of my college professor and reading about his everyday life would make it feel like a little less of a professional relationship. I doubt that I would like that. I support an IM option but not a Facebook or My Space option.
I think if i could im my professors, it would be great. Then I wouldn't have to worry like I did last week when I missed class. As for a professor pinging/iming/whatevering me when and if i missed work, i think I'd just put them on ignore personally. I'm at home, I wouldn't want to be bothered about missed work while im trying to do the assignment.
For things like Facebook, myspace, etc, that's my personal life, my professors have no right to be in it, end of discussion.