Online chats for distance learning classes can be nerve-
wracking. Students are expected to respond to instructor
questions and interact with other students in the chat room,
without much time to prepare responses. Unlike traditional
classrooms, chat rooms don’t give you the chance to see physical
cues or hear verbal inflections during a discussion.
Additionally, chatters can be hampered by typing speed or poor
spelling. Often, students’ grades will be determined, in part,
by their chat room participation. But, never fear. There is a
way to enter distance learning chat rooms with confidence and
cool. Here’s how: Time Required: 10-20 minutes - Prepare,
Prepare, Prepare. Before the class chat session, review all
related reading assignments. Mark your textbooks with sticky
notes, so that you’ll know where to turn when a topic comes up.
Choose two or three key concise quotes that you’d like to
discuss during the online chat. Spend a few minutes typing these
quotes into a word processor, so that you’ll have them re