The discussion begins when a student or teacher posts a topic and other students respond. All entries related to the original topic are automatically threaded together so the topical discussion can be easily followed, no matter when entries are made. It is even possible to conduct discussions on different topics, or side discussions, as the bulletin board will keep them organized and meaningful. All participants must be available at the same time but not necessarily in the same place. The conversation is typed on the students' PC keyboard and appears instantly on the monitors of each participant.
Students master the technique quickly and the technology becomes almost invisible.