Text Chats
Overview
Bringing learners' everyday literacy practices such as text chats into instruction provides regular, low-stakes practice communicating with authentic audiences. In synchronous chats with peers, students can practice Composition skills and view models of how others convey ideas through informal writing. When adult learners with different Primary Languages text chat in English with each other in real-time, research has shown that the complexity and sophistication of their language use increases, improving Oral Communication Skills as well.
Use It In Your Learning Environment
Structuring text chats around real-world or information-sharing tasks can spur conversation and increase Motivation. Synchronous text chats may ease anxiety in learners who are reluctant to participate in spoken discussions, and the running log of the interaction can support learners with lower Speed of Processing or Working Memory. Products provide the means for instructors to integrate text chats into their courses through chat functionalities. Shared text chats can serve both academic and social functions to support engagement with the class content and with peers, particularly in a virtual learning context.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Cooperative Learning Strategies
Beginning meetings with check-ins and maximizing opportunities for informal check-ins, whether live or online, can foster a sense of Belonging while building Social Supports.
Adult learners can self-organize into groups called communities of practice to engage in longer-term examination of a topic to build deeper understanding.
Flexible grouping is a classroom practice that temporarily places learners' together in given groups to work together, with the purpose of achieving a given learning goal or activity.
Giving learners the opportunity to share their knowledge, skills, and understanding with others strengthens learning and increases Motivation while also building Social Supports.
Learning in social contexts has been shown to have significant effects on comprehension of material and retention of new information into Long-term Memory.
