Online Chat for Learning
Reviewed and Updated: January 2008
Chat means real-time communication between two or more people via computer.
Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard (this means you need to be able to type reasonably quickly). After pressing ‘Enter’ the text will appear on the other user's monitor. Some websites have a chat room attached and many Learning Management Systems include chat as a learning tool.
'Chat' means that communication is synchronous, ie - the participants are online at the same time. Asynchronous communication, where participants are not online at the same time but leave messages for each other, is called a 'discussion' or 'forum'.
The main forms of online chat are Internet relay chat (IRC), web page chat and instant messenger chat. IRC is the most widely used form of online chat; it uses special software, its own commands and a separate part of the Internet from the web. IRC allows many users on different systems at different locations to converge into one 'chat room' and have a discussion, similar to a conference call.
Web page chat does not require special software, but it may require a flash or Java-capable browser. It may be a dedicated site or set up by an individual on their home page.
Instant messenger chat is also web-based and allows participants to exchange personal messages, documents and pictures instantly and privately with others. Participants must have the same message system to communicate.
Social chats are fun but if you want to utilise chat in your online classes you need to put some planning into it. Imagine walking into a classroom and just saying 'OK, what will we talk about today?' The same applies to online chatting! Chats are great for distance learning but can also be a terrific tool in face to face classrooms.
Research on chat suggests that small groups of about five seem to work the best, although larger groups of about 20 have been successful. How well it works depends on why you have decided to use chat and what you hope to gain from it.
Websites
Chat in the classroom
Discusses why you would use chat and what to do before, during and after the session. From Education Queensland’s The Learning Place website.
Examples of chat in the classrooms
Examples of how Australian teachers have used chat in the classroom. From The Learning Place website.
How to make the most of chat in educational settings
Ideas for using chat with classes such as word associations, brainstorms and role play.
Chat Tool: Best Practices Tips & Tricks
Tips n tricks as well as chat tutorials for both instructors and students. From the University of Nevada.
Emoticons & Smilies
It’s easy to be misunderstood when you’re only using text to communicate. This is why emoticons were invented. This page will guide you to express yourself with a:
:-) Smile
:-( Frown
~(_8^(|) Homer Simpson or
o{-<]: Skater Dude!