Readings

I like the discussion board better than the chat rooms. I like the fact that a teacher could have several discussions going on at once. I think the discussion boards are a little safer than chat rooms. Since it would only be open to students in the class. I don't think with discussion boards the students would be "out there" as much like they would in chat rooms.

I don't have much experience with chat rooms so I don't know exactly how they work. I like that the discussion board you can see everyone's comments for each topic. I like that their name is attached to their comment so they are accountable for what they say.

I teach 4th - 8th grade Computers. At the beginning of the year I teach a few lessons on Internet Safety. We talk about chat rooms and how they shouldn't be in them unless their parents are watching etc. I think that it would be confusing for me to have them use a chat room for school. I think that would send a message that they are okay and safe. We all know that not all of them are. I think discussion boards would be less confusing for them. They should be able to tell the difference between discussion boards and chat rooms.