Chat rooms and discussion boards are common ways for people to communicate online. A chat room allows participants to engage in real-time discussions, while discussion boards are asynchronous and allow users to post messages or questions for others to read and respond to later. Both have benefits for online learning, as educational institutions may use chat rooms as virtual classrooms or discussion boards for posting assignments. When communicating online, it is important to be professional, introduce yourself, and follow general etiquette guidelines.

1. Chat Rooms
&
Discussion Boards
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Carol
Rach
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2. 2
Chat rooms and discussion boards
are an everyday aspect of life.
Overview of slides:
•What is a chat room
•Types of chat rooms
•Discussion Boards
•What is a discussion board
•Chat rooms vs. discussion
boards
•Online learning
•Things to consider
•Conclusion
•Web Resources
•References

3. A chat room is a network where
participants can engage in real-time
discussions with one another
(dictionary, 2012)
Depending on the chat room. Many
require you to have a user ID and a
password.
Who can participate in a chat room?
Anyone with an internet connection. Including:
College students, working adults, teenagers,
etc.
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4. Themed chat rooms
These chat rooms will be labeled based on the interest of the participants.
Including:
Movies, sports, books, art, school-based ideas, etc.
Teacher/Student chat rooms
These chat rooms are available for distance education. Including:
Springboard, blackboard, tutoring, or classroom conversation.
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5. Discussion boards usually start with a single question that people react too and then
it branches to threads and sub-threads p. 88. It is important to Keep track of where
the discussion is going and to participate.
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6.  They are also called bulletin boards, threaded
discussions, and forums p 87.
 It is an asynchronous activity. It does not
occur at a particular time but is available
when you have time to read and answer
others p 87.
 Boards may or may not be moderated,
although in e-learning the former is usually
the case p 88.
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7. Chat Rooms –GOOD Chat Rooms –BAD
Immediate feedback Scheudling Problems
More people have experience Passive learners
Visual cues Harder to manage
Discussion Boards-GOOD Discussion Boards-BAD
Fits one’s own schedule Lack visual cues
Sense of community Delayed Feedback
Accessed anytime anywhere Communication effectiveness depends on
reading and writing skills
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Globokar p 106-108

8. Many educational institutions use chat rooms as
virtual classrooms for distance learners to
communicate with their professors and peers
Globokar p 12 . Does that seem familiar to
anyone ? .
Discussion boards are forums where users (both
professor and students) may post assignments,
questions, case studies, or messages for class
members to read and respond to
asynchronously. The posted information is viewed
by the entire class (Paul Gil website)
What about now ? Is this familiar yet ?
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9. When communicating online whether in chat rooms or discussion boards
it is important to remember :
 Use emoticons occasionally
 Give other participants a chance to
 If comment isn’t timely, don’t make
respond and ask questions it
 Be professional  More than 5 lines is too long of
 Use sentences and keep comments post
on the current topic  Not everyone knows internet
 Introduce yourself acronyms
 Make sure your spelling is correct  Label joke as “joke”
• You not U  Make sure your spelling is correct
• Are not R
 Don’t use CAPITAL LETTERS
 Don’t use excess colors
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10. 10
Chatting may be the most simple and Contacts Via Email
preferred synchronous interaction. Tues-6/12/12
Wed-
Forums are very popular, and are 6/13/12
renowned because they put you in touch
Sun
with many similar-minded people.
6/17/12 Mon-
All synchronous and asynchronous 6/18/12
messaging techniques have their pros and Tues-6/19/12
cons. It is best that you try them all and Elluminate
decide for yourself which messaging Mon-
technique works for you.
6/18-12
Tues-6/19/12

11.  Dictionary.com. (2012).
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chat+room. Retrieved June 18, 2012 from dictionary. com
 Fedosev, D,.(2012). The Different Types of Chat Rooms. Ezine Articles. http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Different-Types
 Littlefield, J,. (2012). How To Participate in an Online Class Chat Room Discussion. About. com. http://distancelearn.a
 What is the Difference Between Email, IM, Discussion Forums, and Chat?
› Gil, Paul 2012 http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/blogchatinstantmessaging/f/email_vs_im.htm
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12.  Globokar (Lynn) Julie, April 28, 2010 Introduction to Online Learning: A Guide
for Students. Sage Publications, Inc. Thousand Oaks, CA.
 Piskurich, G,.(2004). Getting the Most from Online Learning. Chat Rooms and
Discussion Boards. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer
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