LearningSpace

This is to let you know that we will shortly be removing the MSG instant messaging and online presence tool from OpenLearn. As one of the experimental learning-support tools developed and deployed during the 2 year startup phase of OpenLearn (2006-08), we have now completed our evaluation of this prototype, and will be taking the best ideas forward in future tools.

If you're interested to know more about the motivation and technology behind MSG, and our evaluation results, please read this article in the 2008 special issue of The Open University's online journal, devoted to Open Educational Resources:
Little, A., Denham, C. and Eisenstadt, E. (2008). MSG Instant Messenger: Social Presence and Location for the "Ad Hoc Learning Experience". Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2008, No.2. http://jime.open.ac.uk/2008/02

The MSG project website at The Open University's Knowledge Media Institute contains additional information, including resources for installing MSG on your own server (requires technical knowledge): http://kmi.open.ac.uk/technologies/msg