Chat

=__Basics__=

Chatting is a method of communication through what is called real time. In other words there is an immediate connection between two or more individuals. It serves as a connection between others that might have interests in common.There is also Internet Relay Chat (IRC) which lets people set up there own talk groups openly or privately. Chat rooms are being used as a source of communication throughout the world. It serves similar to instant messaging except that several individual can carry a conversation simultaneously.

Along with these benefits however these chats also have some concerns. Especially for students who are young and naive but there are precautionary actions that can be taken.

Chat Room Safety Tips

 * 1) Don't use your real name.
 * 2) Do not give out personal information such as your last name, home address, parent's work address, or telephone number.
 * 3) Never share a password for an Internet game or chat room.
 * 4) Never agree to meet with someone you met in a chat room.
 * 5) Notify the teacher and/or parent if you receive an obscene message.
 * 6) Because you can't see or hear the person you are chatting with, they may be fooling you as to who they really are.
 * 7) If someone is being rude to you, ignore them or just log-off and find something else to do.
 * 8) Learn how to use emoticons to express your feelings. :-) Smiley
 * -) Winkey smiley
 * -&gt; Devilish grin
 * -( Frowny face

8-) User wears glasses (-: Left handed smiley
 * -{) User has a mustache

[:-) User is wearing a walkman %-) User's been staring at the screen too long

Requires both the user and the librarian have the software installed on to their computers. Most instant messaging software is free and can be easily downloaded from the web. The main benefits of doing chat this way is that many users are already familiar with the programs and are likely to have in their computers. If a user doesn't already have it on their computer, it's pretty easy to install. Such programs also don't require much bandwidth and run pretty quickly. A downside to this technology, though, is that two people using two different programs can't exchange messages. If a user is already familiar with one program but the library requires the use of a different one, then that creates a hurdle for the user. This is probably the least attractive way to run a chat service. It requires that the library first register a room (usually at no charge) on the web site of company providing such a service. When a user wants to chat, they need to log on to the page of the service (which can be linked to from the library's web site). The few libraries that have chosen to go this route are using a number of different services: = = =__Teacher-oriented uses__=
 * Instant Messaging Software**
 * [|AOL Instant Messenger]
 * [|ICQ]
 * [|Microsoft Messenger]
 * [|Yahoo! Messenger]
 * Web Chat Rooms**
 * [|Anexa]
 * [|ChatSpace]
 * [|Yahoo! Clubs]

Teaching strategies using chat

1. Chat sessions can be used for socializing and can act as ice-breakers for new groups. 2. Chat can be used to supplement bulletin board discussions and email interactions. It may be a useful method of dealing with immediate problems—although a phone call or personal visit may still be a better option. 3. Students can use chat to collaborate with each other on assessment tasks and projects. Small numbers are best for this. This could be used as a strategy to motivate students when communication via bulletin board discussions or email is not working effectively. 4. Items can be posted to the bulletin board a day or two before the chat session giving participants time to think about the issues. This is good if the chat room is used for meetings or for decision making. 5. A guest speaker can be invited to join the chat room after giving a face-to-face lecture. This could be both motivating and informative for students. You might ask students to prepare for the session by reading a specific article by the guest. 6. The electronic whiteboard in WebCT can be used in conjunction with the chat function allowing simultaneous transmission of visual and text-based material. 7. The results of chat sessions can be recorded either by immediately copying and pasting the text on screen or by retrieving the user logs. The record of conversation can later be posted to the bulletin board as an attachment. This is one way of taking small group discussion to a larger group for further comment.

=__Student-Oriented Uses__=

There are many ways that students can benefit from the use of chats. Students can use it for social reasons and educational purposes. Students really are interested in chat rooms because it serves a sources of social communication between many other students and individuals across the seas. However, adults are now seeing the benefits and guiding students to also use it for educational purposes. Students now a days, with such excellent technology, have the ability to communicate and learn first hand about what is occurring across nations.

1. Students can connect with students that are learning different languages for the purpose of practicing the written language or to share cultural differences and similarities. 2. For parents that are [|home schooling] it is a perfect avenue to provide an opportunity for the students to be able to socialize with other students. 3.From Discover AOL it provides a safe chat environment that is monitored so that students can interact socially or educationally. Students are able to talk about school issues such as their academic needs. 4.Students are also using the chat to communicate with their teachers after class time to obtain academic assistance. This [|teacher assistance] is helping students do better in class.

=__Resources/Examples of this Technology in Education__=

There are several teachers and school districts that have already incorporated chat rooms as part of a tool and it is working great. This is not only occurring here but all over the world. The following sites talk about how different teachers are laying the foundation to the tool that is the wave of the future.


 * http://www.densu.com/irc/
 * [|Special Education]
 * [|Adult Continuing Education]
 * [|Teacher Resource]
 * [|Gaggle]
 * [|Private School Usages]

=__Research on this technology in education__=

Teachers are using to motivate their students to do their homework by providing a private chat room IRC and provide time for questions for the teacher. It has improved homework return and has also improved grades. Chat rooms are also in place where teachers are able to communicate about different topics of interest such as literature, math, science etc. just like the students.

http://www.coe.int/t/e/integrated_projects/democracy/02_activities/03_internet_literacy/internet_literacy_handbook/08_chat.asp#P13_260 http://www.netc.org/focus/examples/revolu.php