Back Channel chat rooms are out there for the courageous educators. There are many of them, and they have advantages and disadvantages.
Positive: A real time interactive chat during a class or meeting allowing the instructor to monitor questions, concerns, comments during the session.
Negative: Have you ever met a student? The likelihood that he will stay on topic is not, let's say, very likely. An active chat can often lead to banter between posters resulting in less focus on the instruction. Oh, and let's not single out students. Ever sit in a meeting with teachers? Ever watched them use a back channel chat?
Positive: A real time interactive chat during a class or meeting allowing the instructor to monitor questions, concerns, comments during the session.
Negative: Have you ever met a student? The likelihood that he will stay on topic is not, let's say, very likely. An active chat can often lead to banter between posters resulting in less focus on the instruction. Oh, and let's not single out students. Ever sit in a meeting with teachers? Ever watched them use a back channel chat?
81DASH
website: http://81dash.com/
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: I will say that I am a fan of this type of interaction, but as mentioned above, it comes with it's share of potential pitfalls. The thing that makes this better is the thing that makes it worse than other applications. Everyone needs an account. This is positive because it removes anonymity and allows for accountability. On the other hand, that account thing can be a hassle or a no-go for some schools. This also allows for transcript downloads. It allows teacher and students to upload files, and it allows for users to take notes that can be downloaded for future use. Know your students before using it.
website: http://81dash.com/
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: I will say that I am a fan of this type of interaction, but as mentioned above, it comes with it's share of potential pitfalls. The thing that makes this better is the thing that makes it worse than other applications. Everyone needs an account. This is positive because it removes anonymity and allows for accountability. On the other hand, that account thing can be a hassle or a no-go for some schools. This also allows for transcript downloads. It allows teacher and students to upload files, and it allows for users to take notes that can be downloaded for future use. Know your students before using it.
BACKCHANNEL CHAT
website: http://backchannelchat.com/
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: I haven't used it despite its catchy name, but it is aimed at educators so it's probably worth taking a look..
website: http://backchannelchat.com/
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: I haven't used it despite its catchy name, but it is aimed at educators so it's probably worth taking a look..
CHATZY
website: http://www.chatzy.com
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: I know next to nothing about Chatzy. It looks simple enough, but again, I haven't used it.
website: http://www.chatzy.com
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: I know next to nothing about Chatzy. It looks simple enough, but again, I haven't used it.
TODAYSMEET
website: http://todaysmeet.com/
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: This is my go to backchannel chat program.
website: http://todaysmeet.com/
PRICING: Free
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: This is my go to backchannel chat program.
ZOHO CHAT
website: https://chat.zoho.com/
PRICING: Free version
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: Zoho has lots of functions, similar to Google Docs. I have not explored all of the functions. I have used the Zoho Chat function. This allows a teacher to create a chat room, embed the room into a site (website, wiki, blog, Blackboard site, etc.). The room is only open when the teacher opens it. Students cannot see other users. This is ideal for review scenarios or extra help on assignments. I have teachers who use this to have chat based study sessions in the evenings. This is a good tool.
website: https://chat.zoho.com/
PRICING: Free version
TUTORIAL
FINAL COMMENTS: Zoho has lots of functions, similar to Google Docs. I have not explored all of the functions. I have used the Zoho Chat function. This allows a teacher to create a chat room, embed the room into a site (website, wiki, blog, Blackboard site, etc.). The room is only open when the teacher opens it. Students cannot see other users. This is ideal for review scenarios or extra help on assignments. I have teachers who use this to have chat based study sessions in the evenings. This is a good tool.