When putting extensive course materials on the web, accessibility to enrolled students only is a consideration. The K-State Online server offers such an environment. Tools have been developed to structure and manage the materials. Chat Rooms Electronic chat rooms are simulated discussion forums that are popular on the Internet. Electronic message boards differ in that the messages are posted, often on the web, instead of sent via e-mail.
Users have access to all the messages and can either post a reply or start a new topic.
When one member sends a message to a group, it is automatically copied to all the other members. Copies of past messages are stored in monthly files that can usually be retrieved by members. An auto-generated list automatically subscribes all the students enrolled in a particular class, based on the enrollment database maintained by the Registrar's Office. This can result in significant time-savings for instructors. Auto-generated mailing lists and their monthly archives of messages are automatically removed at the end of the semester unless the instructor designates otherwise.