Gaggle Adds Powerful New Instant Messaging Tool for Schools

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaggle, the leading provider of safe online communication and productivity tools, announced today a powerful new addition to their Gaggle Apps solution with the release of Gaggle Instant Messaging. Users can see who is online and instantly chat with current Gaggle Social Wall friends or add Chat buddies right from their Chat window. Like all of Gaggle's tools, student access can be restricted to the district, school, class, or just teachers. The new IM Monitor tab will let educators monitor chats as they happen, making classroom management a breeze.

Gaggle's Instant Messaging includes an intuitive interface with the filtering and safety Gaggle's known for. All IM conversations are permanently logged as threaded conversations in each user's account, for easy access by administrators.

The Instant Messaging tool can even work with 3rd party systems such as Google Talk™ as well as desktop chat programs such as Adium® and Pidgin®. Support for other chat programs including AIM™, Facebook® and Yahoo® chat is coming soon.

"Technology has changed our expectations for instantaneous access to friends and colleagues," said Jeff Patterson, Gaggle CEO. "Teachers can now benefit from on demand communication without interrupting instruction. With Gaggle IM, teachers can perform a virtual tap on the shoulder to bring students back on task."

"When an educator calls in with concerns about using Instant Messaging among students, I direct them to the IM Monitor Tab," explained David Jetter, Gaggle Client Sherpa. "The concern in their voice vanishes and you can start to hear the excitement and enthusiasm. The educator's initial hesitations are gone when they realize that they are in control of student learning and IM activity. They can't wait to incorporate IM into their classrooms and lesson plans."

About Gaggle

Gaggle is dedicated to providing productivity, communication, & collaboration tools that safely engage students and has been a leading provider to school districts throughout the United States since 1999. Gaggle currently hosts over 3 million users in the US and 23 countries. The company is an expert in secure communications for schools and has developed proprietary technology and monitoring systems. Based in Bloomington, IL, Gaggle's collaboration tools are the winner of numerous education industry awards, including a prestigious 2011 CODiE Award, 2011 AEP Distinguished Achievement Award, and recipient of a 2010 Technology & Learning Award of Excellence. For information, visit Gaggle at www.gaggle.net or call 800-288-7750.

Contact:
Susan Heykamp
Director of Marketing, Gaggle.Net, Inc.
800.288.7750
[email protected]

SOURCE Gaggle