Marcie+Hughes+-+TechTools+2+-+NeatChat


 * What:** NeatChat
 * Web address(s):** http://www.neatchat.com
 * Student’s Name:** Marcie Hughes
 * Grade Level(s):** 6th - University
 * Content area(s):** Any


 * Abstract:** NeatChat is a super easy way to create a forum for a live discussion via the Internet. NeatChat is a chat room that you can create as a teacher and be the administrator of the chat room. You can then invite others to the chat room by giving them a specific URL that they would plug into the search engine of any computer. If they enter the URL correctly they will be allowed to create a nickname and enter the discussion group. This is a great way to have a discussion outside of the class or a neat way to have an ongoing discussion board up in class throughout a lesson.


 * Personal Experience:** I have not used this in a classroom yet. However, my school is looking into supplying all junior high students with an iPad that they can use in class. If this was possible I think that NeatChat would be a really fun way to keep students involved in class discussion. Students could post questions and comments throughout a lesson and the teacher could choose to answer those questions right away or come back to them later at the end of the discussion. This could give students a chance to ask a question and make a comment when they may generally be too shy to raise their hand in class. This could also allow for students to ask a question at any time in class and the teacher can choose when to answer it. I think it could be a really fun way to get more students involved in class discussions.