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One of the most challenging features of online learning is the real time chat. In the virtual classroom, these chats differ from online forums in that they are attended during a scheduled timeframe, offer practically instant peer communication, and as a result replace the face-to-face communication in traditional physical classes. By contrast, forums are asynchronous (delayed time), offering more flexibility for posting and responding to others’ posts, but eliminating the dynamic potential of ‘immediacy’.

Real time chats’ purposes often parallel those of in-classroom meetings: they present or expand on course topics, offer problems for debate, and even integrate participants’ own experiences via activities like ‘what if?’, ‘in your case’, and Q&A sessions. While purposes are similar, however, the dynamics of real time chats vary dramatically from the norm in classroom discussions. Chat software options range from one-way to multi-way audio, usually with the ability to upload visuals and stream in video. Despite the technical sophistication, communication problems still result. Tones of voice get distorted, connections can drop, and participants tend to submit content in the chat (text) box that’s brief, resulting in confusion or fragmentation. Clarity of real time chat is highly dependent upon the speed and bandwidth of internet access; individuals still relying on dial-up have the worst time, as login is slow and may not permit the user to download all visual or audial elements.

If you’re attending real time chats in a formal learning or workplace training environment, it’s best to have the fastest access possible, through a cable modem, DSL or t-line. Be prepared to submit fully developed thoughts, whether conversationally via audio or textually in the chat box. Make your questions as topic or task-specific as possible, and remember that in most cases, you’re communicating with peers and colleagues, not subordinates.

Examples of real time chat software can be found at www.gotomeeting.com and www.adobe.com/products/acrobatconnectpro.