Chat Rooms Chat rooms are virtual gathering places where people meet in real time to participate in dynamic, ongoing conversations. In online classes, chat rooms are used for discussions and group meetings. Discussion Forums Discussion forums, threaded discussions, or message boards, are online databases where people post their thoughts on a given topic, statement or question and read what others have to say. In online classes, instructors may post a topic or a challenge on a discussion board and require students to respond, or use it for non-real time class discussions. Firewalls Some organizations build firewalls, or buffers, between their internal computer networks and the Internet.
Firewalls can cause problems for online learners who access classes from work.
Listservs A Listserv is an electronic mailing list, where email, files and documents are exchanged between subscribers through the list. In online classes, listservs are used to distribute class materials and messages. Students view a live video of an instructor or other speaker on their web browser, and submit questions via a text box, email, or telephone line. WebCasts may be saved for later viewing in case a student missed the live session or wants to review what was said.