Language teachers, researchers, and teachers as researchers are often looking for ways in which technology can be integrated into, and used to support, language curricula. A Local Area Network (LAN)-interconnected computers in one location-is a powerful interactive tool for achieving this goal. One interesting use of LANs is synchronous conferencing. Synchronous conferencing is a form of immediate digital communication, such as a chat room, but without the delays of e-mail. Like a chat room, synchronous conferencing provides a virtual arena in which students can converse with each other in real time. In other words, students can immediately receive responses to messages they send each other.
The activities in this project were created using InterChangeยฎ (Daedalus Group, 1997), a software program that provides step-by-step guidance through the process of creating and using chat rooms on a LAN. The activities are for intermediate-to advanced-level students and require a language laboratory or classroom with at least five computers connected by a LAN. Students should be given a list of basic steps for logging onto and using the program before going into the lab. The list may include terms such as m o u s e, c u r s o r, c l i c k, w i n d o w, chat room, and o p e n . The following activities can last anywhere from 20-40 minutes each.