Online Chats – UMaine at Farmington
Online chats are person-to-person (or groups of people) synchronous communications that take place over the internet. These conversations may be conducted with text, audio, or video and there are many software and web-based tools for this. Some terms used to refer to this chats include computer-mediated communication (CMC), internet relay chat (IRC), or instant messaging (IM). When a microphone and/or camera is used, these chats may be referred to as audio or video conferencing. Typically a participant in a chat is identified by a screen name, and the entries in the dialogue are date and time stamped. Many chat tools allow transcripts of text chats to be archived and audio and video chats to be recorded. Multiple user chats are often used as backchannels in meetings, conferences, and classrooms to allow participants to comment on the proceedings in real time.
Using Blogger students create individual blogs for book discussions for use both in and out of class.
I’m wondering how many teachers are using chats in the classroom? Have you enabled iChat for students? Do you allow students to download Skype?
We don’t allow either n
When one program such as Skype is disabled in a school, another will be used by students. Students find ways around blocks. If we teach the correct way to use the tools, then we can use the tool to our advantage.
When groups of people dialogue about a subject, new perspectives are shared.
I agree, Kelly. I think we need to give kids this kind of experience. We need to help them learn how to carry on online conversations.
Kelley, I agree. It creates a team approach.
This also allows those “silent students” to have a voice.
A great format for book discussions.
Chats in studywiz are easy and very controllable.
Haven’t enabled iChat, but haven’t had any requests, either. Skype is installed on all laptops when we image.
Although I am not directly in the classroom – I can see how this could be used as a tool across classrooms in the school, in the state, in the country, and in the world! Just imagine the possibilities for research and projects.nnExample of my own use – my husband was in the hospital in Portland recently and we were able to Skype daily. Saved lots of $ in gas traveling back and forth and time on the road, but still gave the opportunity for “face to face” interaction.
I think you could easily use these tools to bring experts into the classroom from afar.
I’ve heard some good ideas here. I like the idea of having a chat as a pre-writing activity for brainstorming.
Creative ideas for using chat formats. It allows all students to respond and be involved.
Great ideas from the second group. We actually tried using iChat for text and video. We talking about backchannels and how they can be helpful for kids who have questions but don’t want to interrupt.
I am seeing a great use of this technology with regard to improving student literacy. The ability to have students read aloud and have the teacher provide feedback during times not during class could help individualize instruction. Having students post questions during classroom discussions could also encourage shy students to get more involved.