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......affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content. Apples iChat in the Classroom

Apples iChat in the Classroom By: Mark Anderson |Television Department
Generally students at Columbia College are balancing four to five college level classes
per semester. Classes range between three to four hours per week with several hours of
homework assignments and reading. It is common for students to have part-time
employment during these hours in order to financially accommodate their active social
lives. This active lifestyle gives students very little free time to consult with their
instructor about their progress and projects outside of the classroom. When students
schedule meetings with faculty it can be difficult to accommodate due to the majority of
the Adjunct Faculty not having a permanent office space on campus.

In the past I generally found it best to meet with my students at my work-office or
immediately prior to or after class. This is generally an inconvenience for the student due
to location, and their scarce amount of time. Recently however, I began utilizing Instant
Messaging technology in my classroom. This technology has given my students and I the
ability schedule meetings and correspond at a mutually convenient time and any location
(provided they are at a computer with access to the Internet). Current Instant Messaging
technology allows live full screen video conferencing. This capability enables students to
show work examples, which allows me to critique their work in real-time over the
Internet. It enables me to communicate directly with the student and work together
towards solutions in a face-to-face environment. The latest release of the Macintosh
Operating System 10.4 (10.4 Tiger), allows live videoconference with three persons at
one time. This feature will greatly improve discussions involving group projects when a
mutually convenient location seems impossible.

Brief History of Instant Messaging Technology

Originally available from CompuServe in 1969, the technology for computer users to
communicate live with one another from remote locations via the Internet has been
widely available since 1996. The company Mirabalis, is the original developer of an
Instant Messaging application titled I Seek You (ICQ). ICQ allowed any person with
access to the Internet the capability to exchange text information with another user in
almost real time. Within half of year of its public release ICQ had a user base of
850,0000 users, an enormous contributing factor towards the enormous increase in
Internet traffic in 1997. This technology was quickly acquired by America Online in 1999
and implemented into the AOL Service Providing Software as well as their version of
Instant Messaging Technology, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). (History of Instant
Messaging. http://www.showkit.com/download/samples/with/internet/html/slide6.html)

In 2003 Apple Computer introduced to its customers an application titled, iChat AV
Public Beta (iChat AV). iChat is Apple Computers widely popular Instant Messaging
Software. Originally, this application differed from other IM software due to its
utilization of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP a signaling protocol within in the
Applications Layer of the OSI Model. (Wikipedia, the free excyclodpedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichat>)
Current versions of AOL Instant Messenger are now fully compatible with Apple iChat
and its use of SIP, consequently enabling audio and video streaming compatibilities
between iChat and AOL Instant Messenger.

There are several other IM clients that have been developed by a plethora of different
companies, each containing specific features and characteristics making them unique. It
would be convenient if all instant messaging applications worked together but certain
companies do not allow this and have a proprietor code embedded in their software
making them incompatible with other companies messaging applications. However,
iChat works seamlessly with many popular Instant Messaging applications, but excels in
its integration with AOL Instant Messenger.

This semester I plan on demonstrating to my students the simplicity and ease of creating
an account on AIM on the first day of class. I encourage other faculty to take advantage
of this free and useful technology. Creating an account and using the application is very
straightforward. The method that I am going to describe to my students and in this paper
will use visual and written examples on the proper method of creating a user account to
access the AIM/iChat network and allowing instant live communication between any
persons logged into this massive world-wide network.

Creating an Account for iChat AV
When you open iChat for the first time a Welcome Screen will appear as featured below.

This screen is essentially an overview, which explains the many advantages to using
iChat. Once you are ready to continue, click the blue pulsing Continue button.







The first two boxes simply request your full-name, the name that is entered here is the
name that other users will see if you are on their list of buddies. Below the name data entry boxes there is a drop box. iChat supports AIM and .Mac.
account types. .Mac is Apples subscription based system that gives members a variety of
incentives. The many .Mac membership advantages range from back-up systems to virus
protection for your computer. The feature that we would take advantage of is the .Mac
Username, this is specifically intended for Apples iChat. iChat defaults to selecting the
.Mac subscription system but it is not necessary for iChat. If you do wish to subscribe
simply click the box Get an iChat Account and follow the online instructions.

In our example we will set-up a free AIM account. First you must be using a computer
that is connected to the Internet. Open your web browser and go to the following URL: http://www.aim.com . In the direct center of the site you will see a large button that says: Download Now! Click the button pictured below.
The page that it directs you to will have large centered rectangle with two buttons inside
it. The button you must select is: New Users Click Here.



This button will direct you to a secure webpage that will ask for your desired screen
name, password, password verification, display name and other general information. The
screen name is the name other users will use to locate you online. The display name is the
name other users will see when you are added to their buddy list. A buddy list is
personalized live address book that alerts you to when your friends are currently online.
We will discuss the address book again.
Top Bottom
The bottom of this data box will contain a Security Check, which is simply random data
that is placed in a picture file to prohibit malicious software from taking advantage of
their systems and ensure that a human being is requesting a screen name. Note that the
random security check contains no spaces. Every screen name is original and there are no
duplicates. Fore this reason finding an original screen name can be a daunting task, which
may take you several attempts to find something that is not in circulation. (Please note
that the screen name must begin with a letter and never use any personal information
such as social security number nor telephone number for your password or screen name)
Use something that you will remember and something that you can live with, as well as a
name that you will be jokingly referred to by your coworkers.

Once you have successfully found a unique screen name and all the proper information
has been inserted a box confirming your screen name will appear.

Logging Into iChat AV

Since we will be using Apple iChat AV, there is no need to continue with the AIM
process. At this point you can quit your web browser and reopen or switch back to Apple
iChat AV. You can now complete this form with your new username and password, then
click continue.

A window asking you to install Jabber will appear. Jabber is open source Instant
Messaging protocol designed for Linux users. Jabber uses an XML technology and is
freely distributed. It is a secure and robust Instant Messaging application but not
necessary for our purposes of instant messaging technology. Unless you have a Jabber
account and password you can leave the, Use Jabber Instant Messaging, box unselected
and click, Continue.
Bonjour is a technology that was introduced in the first version of iChat but under the
name Rendezvous. Due to legality issues Apple had to change the name of the technology
to Bonjour. Bonjour is a protocol that allows direct communication amongst networked
devices that are connected to the same Local Area Network (LAN). Due to Bonjour being
confined solely an internal network allows for an extremely large and fast bandwidth chat
session. This is important especially when doing a live, videoconference with multiple
people or transferring large files, which will be discussed shortly.


The next screen will determine if you have a camera and microphone attached to your
computer enabling live videoconferencing. If your camera is properly connected you will
begin seeing a live video image of yourself in the center-box.


Below the box is digital VU (Volume Unit) meter will make certain that your microphone
is properly picking up an audio level.
If you have a camera and microphone attached but are unable to see an image or audio
level, double check your cable connection to ensure they are firmly connected. If the
problem proceeds refer to your users manual or the following URL: http://www.apple.com/support/isight/ . The final dialogue box confirms that you are ready to use iChat. Simply click the done button and the application will open.
Buddy List
Once you are logged-on, an empty window titled. Buddy List, will appear.
2 3 4
1 1) Add a Buddy 2) Account Name
3) Status Line
4) Icon Representing You Online
5) Multimedia Capability 5
The Buddy List displays a variety of information. It allows you to add additional users or
buddies by clicking the plus sign in the lower bottom left-handed corner of the Buddy
List . (1) Clicking the, plus icon will open the contents of your address book data.
Selecting, New Person will open a dialogue box, which will allow you the ability to add
additional people to your contact depository on your computer. You must have a persons
IM Screen Name prior to opening the following box in order to add them.

If the person is using an AIM name click the drop down box and select AIM or .Mac.

Once you have filled out all the dialogue boxes, click the add button. If the person is
online at that given time their name will appear in black in your buddy list. If they are not
online their name will appear grayed out in your buddy list.

Your buddies might have a gray line of text below their name in your buddy list. This is
known as their status. It allows a person to provide extra information to their buddies
while online. This can alert people if you are at your home or in the office. The green
light alerts people that you are available. A red light alerts people that you are unavailable
or busy and unable to chat at the moment.

In order to edit your (3) availability/status, click on the Available button. Then scroll down to that status you would like to use. Selecting, Current iTunes Track. alerts other users
to which song you are listening to if you have iTunes open. If you want to add a custom status line select, Edit Status Menu on the bottom of the
drop-menu.

Once it is selected the box below will appear.
Available Column Away Column
This box gives you the ability to manage several statuses you might want to exhibit while
online. The plus sign allows you to add additional lines of text and the minus will delete
status lines that have been created. (Custom Status Example)
The default icon that represents you online is generally something generic, such as the
AOL logo.
(Current Icon)

(4) In order to create a custom icon click on the generic icon located on the top right corner of your Buddy List. Select, Edit Recent Pictures from the drop-down menu.
By default the, Recent Pictures, box will contain blank squares. In order to add photos
select, Edit Pictures.


The dialogue box above allows you to either drag an image file to the target area or
select, Choose, or navigate through your home directory and select an image file.





Target Area Target Area Pick and Choose a File
Once the image has been placed into the target area, you can zoom in or out in order to fit
the image to your satisfaction. The gray-out area is the part of the image that will be
cropped out once you select Before Zooming After Zooming
Once you are content with your adjustments click, Set. You can add sixteen additional
images that you can change to represent you while online. If you have an external
camera connected your computer, the Take Video Snapshot, will illuminate allowing
you to take a still shot of yourself with your external camera.
Video Snap Shot Example
Initiating a Chat Session

In order to initiate a text chat session your buddies must be online and be logged into
their Instant Messaging application of choice. iChat allows you to quickly see which of
your buddies is online by showing all your buddies in your, "Buddy List. Buddies that
are online have their names in black; buddies that are not online have their names grayed
out.
Zoom Control Video Snapshot
Double clicking a name in your buddy list (in black and has a green button illuminated)
will open a chat window. You are now able to type in dialogue and await the persons
response.

You are now able to type in text and await the persons response.
If you wish to have multiple people in a chat session you must double click a person in
your buddy list as you would for a single chat. Then from the top toolbar select, View
and scroll down to, Show Chat Participants. Now drag additional buddies from your
buddy window into the chat windows participant list.

Online Offline Insert text
Multimedia Capability and Conference

The green icon to the left of the persons icon is their multimedia capability. This is
generally represented as a telephone for live audio chat or a camera for live video chat.
In order to have an audio or videoconference both users must have the proper equipment
connected to their computers and have their green button illuminated.

Depending on the speed of the computers and the Internet connections being used there
may be some interruptions or connection difficulties. However, Apple has utilities
embedded in iChat to help remedy some connections problems in the Preferences
Windown.

In order to begin an audio or video chat session click on the green multimedia button next
to your buddys icon. The other person will then receive a pop-up menu asking whether
or not they would like to join an audio or video chat session with you. Once they accept,
you will see or hear them appear on your screen.





Drag additional buddies
from buddy list here. Computers equipped with only a microphone are
capable of only real-time audio communication. Computers equipped with a firewire camera such as
Apple iSight are capable of having live video and
audio sessions Clicking the telephone icon
would allow an audio chat.

If problems do arise while using any of the audio or video capabilities, the first place to
check is the Video Preference. The Video Preference is located on the top tool bar under
iChat and Preferences. Choosing the



Multiple Audio and Video Chat

At the time of this paper iChat allows a total of four chat participants in a video chat
session. In order to initiate a multi-chat you must first begin a single video chat session
(described above, Multi-Media Capability and Conference) and then clicking on
additional video icons associated with your buddies in the, Buddy List. (You must also
be running Macintosh OS 10.4 Tiger for Multiple-Chat)

Sending Files via iChat AV

Sending digital files to a student has become a common task for me as an instructor. This
includes quizzes that need to be made-up and video examples that students have
requested to study. I have found that sending files via email can be problematic at times Adjusting the bit-rate will allow various
Internet connectivity speeds the
capability to stream video and audio Choosing the Video Preference
will allow you the ability to
check that your A/V devices are
working properly and adjust
your audio and video transfer
speed. due to different service providers only allowing files of certain size. iChat however
allows users to send a file from one person to another directly from the chat window.
iChat takes advantage of the Macintoshs click and drag capability and incorporates that
in to most of their applications. In order to send a file simply begin a chat or already be
in a chat session and drag any file from your computer into the dialogue text-box.
Students can then drag the file to their desktop to save the file. If the file is a not an
image, it will ask if you would like to download the file.

I hope this overview has covered most of the important features that iChat has to offer. I
also hope that if you incorporate this application into your classroom and that it will be as
productive as it has been in mine. I feel this technology has possibilities beyond the scope
of this paper. I envision this technology being utilized for distance learning and enabling
people with handicaps to attend a class without having to commute.

If there was a topic that you was not clear or you have suggestions or comments for
future releases of this paper, please feel free to email me at: ma@binaryartists.com or Instant Message me at untititlednm@aim.com .