Class+Chatter

=[|ClassChatter] offers free blogging and web tools for teachers at all levels of education.=

**Links**
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 * Strengths- **


 * It is free and easy to use, even for young learners.
 * The student enters the class name and a simple class password can be created.
 * The student picks his name from a drop down menu and again enters a simple 4-digit password.
 * This password can be randomly generated or a custom password can be created (there can be a single default password for the whole class-very simple).
 * The student has a dashboard with 4 choices (easily identified).
 * The four choices are email (they call it cmail), topic blogs, personal blogs and assignments.
 * There is a private email system between student and teacher.
 * Students can cmail each other but cannot cmail out of the system. This pinpoints the cmails to only the class topic and participants.
 * Emails are automatically archived. All communication can be tracked. A teacher can view when cmails are read.
 * The teacher can edit the home page for announcements. This page can be seen directly from the main chatter.com page by just putting in the class name.
 * Your account can have multiple classes.
 * ClassChatter is very safe, a student's identity and work remain completely private. Teachers are in full control.
 * Identity Masking hides identity within classroom so that all students feel comfortable in posting their work. This allows for complete Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance.
 * You can add a co-user, so another teacher can also have access.
 * The teacher can edit and delete anything on the topic blogs.
 * Personal blogs can be personal or seen by the whole class
 * Assignments can be assigned, completed and graded on line.
 * You can create a live RSS feed of any blog in ClassChatter


 * Weaknesses- **


 * The font is small for primary students
 * The only font editing options are bold, italics, and underline.
 * No images or sound files can be uploaded. This is a major weakness of this program for elementary students.
 * Classroom Chatter Live is a premium subscription of $50 for an individual account.
 * Classroom Chatter Live allows for a more sophisticated assignment and class management system and to upload video and podcasts.


 * Threats- **


 * The RSS feed is available to the public so it should be used carefully.
 * Class home page can be seen from the website with just the class name and without a password. Be careful not to put any identifying information on this page.
 * Images can be linked in but that opens up students to view additional sites which could lead to unapproved sites.


 * Opportunities- **


 * The email system is great practice to individualize interactions and reading and writing practice as well as authentically and individually assess students’ knowledge.
 * Students can create their own blogs. This can be for content or creative
 * The topic blogs can be used for collaboration ideas on a specific content topic.
 * Keyboarding skills can be practiced.
 * The teacher’s replies to the posts can help students clarify concepts and even correct misspelled words by using the student’s word spelled correctly in the post. By reading the correct spelling, it does not take long before the student can use the conventional spelling.
 * All students, especially young learners can use their phonics, reading and writing skills when they create their emails and posts.

__ Ideas for the classroom __ -
 * My first two topic blogs began with a personal one, describing their Halloween costume and a content one, describing their favorite plant using all 5 senses.
 * I began my private email system with a welcome note. The first graders responded with short personal notes to me
 * Personal blogs can be set up for creative writing stories or science journals
 * Personal blogs can be set up for each student's science fair project.
 * Reactions to reading assignments can be posted and students can respond to each other's reactions.