Using LAMS chat and forum to promote quality conversations

LAMS Chat and Forum were used to conduct in-class online conversations with second year university students to raise the level of engagement with their compulsory class texts. These discussions overcame students’ reluctance to speak up in class, avoided the conversation being dominated by one or two of their classmates, could accommodate simultaneous small groups and moved the discussion to a student-centred activity. As LAMS Chat and Forum retains all previous history, students’ contributions could be reviewed at any time and formally assessed. The marked improvement in the students’ engagement with the texts has ensured the discussions will continue to be included in the program.