Web chat does have serious applications. It can be useful for some business communications, such as conferencing or brainstorming ideas. And it is certainly a useful tool for the hearing impaired. Educational applications for IRC Web chat also has educational applications. It enables 'real time' tutorials to take place.
Students can interact with each other and with their tutor.
This means that an interactive learning experience is no longer bound to a physical campus. Many universities are taking advantage of this type of technology and delivering courses and degrees solely online.