金融学毕业外文翻译

Using instant messenger in the finance course 131
Managerial Finance Vol.34No.2,2008pp.131-138#Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0307-4358
DOI 10.1108/03074350810841312
Using instant messenger in the finance course
Stuart Michelson
Department of Finance,School of Business Administration,Stetson University,
DeLand,Florida,USA,and Stanley D.Smith
Department of Finance,University of Central Florida,Orlando,Florida,USA Abstract
Purpose –New technologies have provided new tools we may use as finance professors to communicate with our students.Instant messaging (IM)has become a common communication tool in industry and among students.The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of IM as a communication tool in finance courses.
Design/methodology/approach –After reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of IM,the students were surveyed to determine how they viewed IM in comparison to other communication techniques.
Findings –The paper finds that 50per cent or students use IM at any time (not just for class).The majority of the IM users,use it several times a day and have used it for two to three years.Only about 15.7per cent of our students have used IM for our classes.The range of IM usage in the classes is 7-25per cent.Of those students who have used IM for our courses,they have used it 2-5times during the semester and almost all students found it useful.Students were asked to rate various methods of professor/student communication.The students strongly like face-to-face communication,followed by (in order of preference)email,IM,and telephone.Students disagree with the statement that IM is a substitute for face-to-face interaction and agree that IM is a supplement to face-to-face interaction.Originality/value –The findings suggest ways to improve communications with students and other persons.
Keywords Teaching,Communication,Communication technologies,Finance
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The internet has changed the way we,as finance instructors,conduct and teach our courses.Several examples have been published recently in the business education journals.In this paper,we investigate the benefits of using instant messaging (IM)in finance courses.We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using IM,how to implement IM,and provide personal examples of using IM in our classes.
Literature
The literature on using the Internet in financial education is fairly recent,but rapidly expanding.Most of this literature has focused on what data sources and financial resources are available on the Internet and may be used in education.Herbst (1996)presents an interesting discussion on the fundamentals of the Internet and describes the opportunities and challenges for financial engineers on the Internet.Ray (1996),in ‘‘An introduction to finance on the internet’’,presents a background on the history and evolution of the Internet,as well as providing a description of financial resources available.In ‘‘A guide to locating financial information on the Internet’’,Pettijohn (1996)provides a guide and extensive list of financial resources available on the Internet.Grinder (1997)discusses recent developments on the Internet and provides an extensive list of financial service Internet sites.Stanley (1996)reviews the use
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MF 34,2 132EDGAR as a resource for SEC documents and applications for classroom use.Michelson and Stanley(1999)review applications of web page usage in the finance area.
Recent articles have discussed the benefits of utilizing the web to provide academic content for students.The literature has also discussed several disadvantages or costs to using the web.Benbunan-Fich et al.(2001)indicate they integrate technology in business courses in two ways:to transmit content or deliver instruction and to support communication between professors and students.Lincoln(2001)finds that most faculty that developed web pages did so out of personal motivation,very few had direct institutional support.He asserts that faculty had several obstacles to adoption; time to learn,execute,and maintain faculty web sites.Young(2002)finds that student course evaluations of faculty effectiveness increased significantly over the period that technology was implemented in their program.Several authors(Kaynama and Keesling,2000;Atwong and Hugstad,1997;McBane,1997)illustrate that internet activities can enhance the educator’s role in a number of areas,including:lecturing, providing instructional materials,facilitating student collaboration,evaluating student performance,and recruiting majors.Further,they state that web sites are growing in popularity for posting of professional and classroom information,such as course syllabi,sample tests,and other course materials.In statistics,Leon and Parr(2000) provide information on areas in which their course home pages were not successful. These areas include:mailing lists,providing detailed outlines or summaries of lectures, providing material keyed to a particular date,preparing summaries for every class right after class,and maintaining complicated web page structures.They find that there are beneficial applications for web pages(WP),including:providing materials for large courses,WP are an efficient way to solicit feedback,WP provide links and resources,and WP can be a permanent record of what happened in class(calendar, homework log,class summaries,and study questions).Web pages can also allow the instructor a means to post copies of‘‘handouts’’(pull,not push basis),old exams,and data files(such as Excel files).There are also articles that provide information about the use of the Internet in teaching and education in the accounting and economics areas (for example see:Agarwal and Day,1998;Debreceny et al.,1996;Manning,1996).
Instant Messaging is becoming much more prevalent in the corporate world(Smith, 2003;Wessel,2003).Smith reports that federal investigators are now requiring that firms archive the IM’s exchanged between NYSE and NASD member firms and their customers,similar to the requirement for emails.He indicates that more than400 million IM accounts will be created by2004and almost one-half of them will be used to connect businesses and customers.Mike Osterman,a consultant in IM,states there are currently about60million IM users in the US workplace.He says that about20percent of those that now use email also use IM.He predicts that within four years,virtually all email users will also use IM.Wessel says that there are benefits to using IM,including: convenience,speed of response,lack of spam,capability to quickly respond to customers,and the ability to IM someone’s cell phone.He cites drawbacks such as:not wanting to be constantly interrupted(leave an away message),ability for companies to install secure internal IM system,and it can be awkward to end conversations.
Several articles have recently appeared in The Wall Street Journal about IM in the corporate world(Weber,2002,p.B1;Bulkeley,2002,p.B1).Weber indicates that IM is now at the stage where email was in1990.The primary problem is that there is no standard by which IM systems can talk to one another.He indicates that‘‘like email before it,IM technology has the potential to reshape how workers communicate and share knowledge.’’
Using instant messenger in the finance course 133Bulkeley explains how IM has solved many communication problems in corporations.Not only does IM allow users to instantly chat with each other,it also tells users which recipients are available to receive messages at that moment.IM creates presence;that the person is working and available for business.The downside is that it makes it harder to maintain privacy and avoid distractions.Also receiving messages every few minutes can be very disruptive as well.On the positive side,‘‘having someone on your contact list deepens your relationship.’’Even though two people may have never met in person,after exchanging IMs over time,they feel as though they know each other well.In the corporate world,this can help business relationships.
Instant messaging
One of the latest internet-related tools is IM.Many teens use it to communicate with their friends.Even though there are several IM programs available,most IM programs are ers have a list of other peoples’IM handles (screen names),and they click on the name to initiate a conversation session.Then the two or more people write text messages that are delivered almost instantaneously and reside in a window on one another’s machines.One can chat on a one-to-one basis or invite others to participate in a chat room spontaneously developed for that conversation.One can even have both going on simultaneously.For our purposes,we will assume that we are using AOL Instant Messenger (AIM);however,there are other free IM programs,such as Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenge r.Corporate (non-free)IM software,such as Lotus Software Group’s Sametime and Presence Platform from Bantu,Inc.,include features and functionality that are missing from the free versions, munications encryption,allowing users to view what is on one another’s PC,and written transcripts
of all communique
´s.Advantages
Some of the advantages of using IM include:
.
AIM and most IM programs are free and easy to install and use..If the student is using the computer,which is connected to his one phone line,then it is difficult to converse and use the computer at the same time.IM solves this problem.
.Even if the student has separate computer and phone connections,IM may reduce phone costs for both parties when the parties are in different calling zones,e.g.local tolls or long distance charges.
.The instructor is able to handle more than one student at a time.One can conduct four or five independent sessions or conversations at one time.
.The parties can meet at any time that is feasible for them and are not restricted by location related factors.
.IM can be useful if one person has a hearing impairment or is otherwise handicapped and has difficulty arranging a traditional meeting.
.One can spontaneously and easily arrange a chat room with numerous people to deal with any topic you wish.
.
Messaging sessions can be saved and utilized later.
MF 34,2 134
.Computer links can be inserted into conversations so that everyone can follow a progression of web pages.
.Attachments can be sent through IM conversations so that everyone can review the same document.
Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages of using IM include:
.There is a lack of a single IM standard;therefore,all parties must be on the same software,e.g.AIM.However,this disadvantage is reduced if the messaging service is free.The service is free in the same way that some television or web is free;the users may be exposed to advertising that helps pay for the service.
.Using IM can make it harder to maintain privacy and can be disruptive.The IM beep from someone requesting a chat can be as intrusive and distracting as when the telephone constantly rings at dinner time.
.AIM is a very rough imitation of the telephone.How good the audio is depends on the equipment on both ends and the way they are connected.
.AIM cannot offer rich content because AIM is not a web browser and cannot render HTML
Personal experience
One of this article’s authors has used IM in his course for about two years.He does not require its use,but rather offers it as another means to contact the professor.He puts his screen name on his syllabus,along with his web site address and email address.He also puts the screen name on his web site with links to the AOL IM registration page and the University of Massachusetts tutorial page(links provided below).He has found that about two-thirds of his students use IM for personal use.It is interesting though, only about10per cent of his students use IM to contact him,whereas over50per cent of his students use email for frequent contact.Most of his students begin to use the professor’s IM for specific course and project related questions.But after a while the contact evolves into other areas,such as:career advice,curriculum advice,and more general‘‘hi how are you doing?’’Of course the professor has to properly manage his time with respect to IM usage because the beeping from the IM window can seem to be incessant.Like email,this professor has found,that properly managed,IM can be another valuable tool in working with students and faculty.As an added benefit,this professor finds that when his daughter sees he is online,she’ll‘‘drop in’’just to say hi and share the day’s events.
Important links
For AOL Instant Messenger Registration–go to /index.adp.You will be asked to choose a screen name,type a password,confirm your password,type your e-mail address and your birth date.You will later be asked to confirm your registration by replying to a message at your e-mail address.For a good tutorial on using IM and AIM chat–see /tew/aimwelcome.html
Survey results
During the Fall2002and Spring terms,the authors surveyed their classes about the students IM usage.Three classes were surveyed,totaling129students.Sixty-one of
Using instant messenger in the finance course 135the students were graduate students (MBA).The survey instrument is provided in the Appendix at the end of this paper.Table I provides the most relevant results of the survey.We found that 50per cent or our students use IM at any time (not just for class).The majority of the IM users,use it several times a day and have used it for two to three years.Only about 15.7per cent of our students have used IM for our classes.The range of IM usage in our classes is 7-25per cent.Of those students who have used IM for our courses,they have used it 2-5times during the semester and almost all students found it useful.We asked our students to rate various methods of professor/student communication.Our students strongly like face-to-face communication,followed by (in order of preference)email,IM,and telephone.Even though telephone was rated lowest,it was rated slightly below average (2.8on a 1-5scale).We also asked if our students feel IM is a substitute or a supplement to face-to-face interaction.Students disagree with the statement that IM is a substitute (2.22on a 1-5scale)and agree that IM is a supplement (3.47)to face-to-face interaction.
We received a variety of student comments in response to our questions about their like/dislikes for the various forms of communication,as well as why they have or have not used IM.In general our students prefer the immediate response and interaction available with face-to-face communication.In general,they did not like telephone ments suggested that they did not like playing phone tag on the office phone’s voice mail or felt they would be rude to call the professor at home.The students that use IM also like the immediacy and interaction that IM provides.The major drawback to IM is that many students are not at the computer throughout the day,so IM is not available for their use.Many of the MBA students also indicated that IM was not available at their workplace.As you would expect,many students frequently use email because they find it convenient and easy to use.Students remarked that they like the convenience of email,but the primary drawback to email is that the students do not get an immediate response to their emails.Of course,the responsiveness of the professor will affect the usefulness of email from the student’s perspective.One conclusion that can be inferred from the student comments is that even though many of them use IM for personal use,they still are not comfortable using it with their professors.This is partially due to IM not being encouraged or available in their other classes.
Table I.IM survey results
Abbreviated questions Question
number
Total surveys (129)Do you use IM (at any time,not just for class)?(1¼yes)1
50.0%If you use IM,how often do you use it?(1-5)1A
3.573If you use IM,how long have you used it?(1-3)1B
2.324Have you ever used IM for this class?(1¼yes)2
15.7%How often have you used it for this class?(1-6)2A
2.793If you have used IM for this class,have you found it useful?(2¼yes)2B
1.940Rate method of communication with instructor (face-to-face)(1-5)3a
4.239Rate method of communication with instructor (telephone)(1-5)3b
2.745Rate method of communication with instructor (email)(1-5)3c
4.105Rate method of communication with instructor (instant messaging)(1-5)3d
2.925IM substitutes for face-to-face interaction (1-5)4a
2.218IM is a supplement to face-to-face interaction (1-5)4b
3.474
MF 34,2 136Conclusions
In our sample of129students,we find that about one-half of our students use IM at any time,although only about15per cent have used IM for our courses.Since about47per cent of our sample were MBA students,there is probably a bias towards those that do not use IM.Almost100per cent of the students that use IM for class feel it is useful.For IM usage to increase in academics,both students and professors must become more comfortable with its daily use.
Writers indicate that IM is now at the stage where email was in1990and that by 2008virtually all email users will also be utilizing IM.Through its increasing usage, IM has solved many communication problems in corporations.‘‘Like email before it,IM technology has the potential to reshape how workers communicate and share knowledge(Bulkeley,2002).’’
References
Agarwal,R.and Day,A.E.(1998),‘‘The impact of the Internet on economic education’’,Journal of Economic Education,Vol.29No.2,Spring,pp.99-110.
Atwong, C.T.and Hugstad,P.(1997),‘‘Internet technology and the future of marketing education’’,Journal of Marketing Education,Vol.19No.3,pp.44.
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Bulkeley,W.M.(2002),‘‘Instant message goes corporate;you can’t hide’’,Wall Street Journal, 4September,p.B1.
Debreceny,R.,Smith,G.S.and White,C.E.(1996),‘‘Internet methodologies and the accounting curriculum:a first look’’,Accounting Perspectives,Vol.2No.1,Spring,pp.107-24. Grinder,B.(1997),‘‘An overview of financial services resources on the Internet’’,Financial Services Review,Vol.6No.2,pp.125-40.
Herbst,A.F.(1996),‘‘The ways in which the financial engineer can use the Internet’’,Financial Practice and Education,Vol.6No.2,Fall/Winter,pp.111-21.
Kaynama,S.A.and Keesling,G.(2000),‘‘Development of a web-based Internet marketing course’’, Journal of Marketing Education,Vol.22No.2,pp.84-9.
Leon,R.V.and Parr,W.(2000),Use of course home pages in teaching statistics,The American Statistician,Vol.54No.1,pp.44-8.
Lincoln,D.J.(2001),‘‘Marketing educator internet adoption in1998versus2000’’,Journal of Marketing Education,Vol.23No.2,pp.103-16.
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McBane,D.A.(1997),‘‘Marketing departments on the World Wide Web:state of the art and recommendations’’,Journal of Marketing Education,Vol.19,Spring,pp.14-25. Michelson,S.and Stanley,D.S.(1999),‘‘Applications of WWW technology in teaching finance’’, Financial Services Review,Vol.8No.4,pp.319-28.
Pettijohn,J.(1996),‘‘A guide to locating financial information on the Internet’’,Financial Practice and Education,Vol.6No.2,Fall/Winter,pp.102-10.
Ray,R.(1996),‘‘An introduction to finance on the Internet’’,Financial Practice and Education, Vol.6No.2,Fall/Winter,pp.95-101.
Smith,E.B.(2003),‘‘Wall St.bloodhounds track instant messages for clues’’,USA Today, 18September,p.2B.
Using instant messenger in the finance course 137
Smith,S.D.(1996),‘‘Using EDGAR on the internet to teach finance and business courses’’,Journal
of Financial Education ,Vol.22No.2,Fall,pp.76-8.
Young,J.R.(2002),‘‘Ever so slowly,colleges start to count work with technology in tenure
decisions’’,The Chronicle of Higher Education ,22February,p.A25.
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Journal ,25February,p.B1.
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Further reading
Enbysk,M.(2003),‘‘Blame it on instant messaging’’,MSN web page,SmallTech,7February.Komando,K.(2003),‘‘Using IM:know the lingo’’,MSN web page,Tech Commands,7February.Skinner, D.and Kim,M.K.(2001),‘‘Student email projects:from casual conversation to
professional communication’’,Journal of the Academy of Business Education ,Fall,pp.87-98.Appendix.Instant messaging survey
1.Do you use instant messaging (at any time,not just for class)?
————Yes (go to 1A)————No (go to 2)
1A.If you use IM,how often do you use it?
—None —several times a month —several times a week
—several times a day —all the time
1B.If you use IM,how long have you used it?
—1year or less —1-3years —greater than 3years
2.Have you ever used IM for this class?
————Yes (go to 2A)————No (go to 3)
2A.How often have you used it for this class during the semester?
—None —once —2-5—6-10—10-20—more than 20
2B.If you have used IM for this class,have you found it useful?
————Yes ————No ————Indifferent
3.Rate the following methods of communication with your college instructors in general using a scale of 1=definitely do NOT like to 5=definitely do like.
Face-to-face
—Telephone
—E-mail —Instant messaging —
Please provide comments,for example,likes and dislikes,to explain your ratings above.Face-to-face
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Telephone
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————E-mail
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Instant messaging
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MF 34,2 1384.How do you view instant messaging in comparison to face-to-face conversation,using a scale of1=strongly disagree to5=strongly agree?
—IM substitutes for face-to-face interaction.
—IM is a supplement to face-to-face interaction.
Please provide comments on any of the following:
1.If you have used IM,why do you like it or not like it?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
2.If you haven’t used IM,why not?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
3.How can the use of IM for class be improved?
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Corresponding author
Stanley D.Smith can be contacted at:ssmith@
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