The Zoom chat feature is a great way for students to ask and answer questions as well as share their ideas during class. However, it can become overwhelming to follow and respond to chat postings, especially in a large class. These strategies can help you and your students use the chat as a productive teaching and learning tool.

Zoom chat teaching strategies

Purposeful incorporation of the Zoom chat feature can enhance learning. Try using the chat to:

Check understanding and build community

• Ask about the most interesting aspect of the weekly reading
• Ask about confusing things from the homework
• Ask a "Question of the Day" related to class content, an intriguing dilemma, and/or something lighthearted

Ask students to solve problems, answer questions, or reflect

• Pause your lecture and pose a question, problem, or writing prompt. Give students a minute or more to think, work, or write. The silence may feel a little awkward, but give them some time. Ask students to post their answers or ideas in chat.
  Students can also submit their questions or answers to you privately by clicking on your name in the chat list. This strategy can be helpful for answering and discussing controversial topics.
• Consider using a Ready, set, go question: Ask students to type their answer, but wait to post until you say "Go" so that everyone posts at the same time. This allows students to keep working on their own until all the answers are posted at the same time.

Setting expectations and managing the chat

Clearly identifying how you will use the chat feature and how students should interact within it can help the experience run more smoothly for the entire class.

• Chat ambassadors: Assign a TA or ask students to volunteer to be a "chat ambassador." They can monitor the chat and bring questions to your attention when you pause for questions.
• Discuss expectations and classroom norms for using the chat: Topics may include, but are not limited to, when should students post, etiquette for answering other students, whether good-natured jokes are acceptable, and content that is appropriate for the chat.
• Consider using labeling conventions, visual cues or symbols: These can make it easier to quickly call on students or decipher the type of question or comment. 
  • Some options are:

• Prepare prompts ahead of time: It helps to get all your prompts, questions, and links ready in a separate document before class, so it is quick and easy to copy and paste them into the chat. You can also enlist the help of TAs in posting instructions or links in the chat.

  Note: You can turn off the chat until you are ready to use it.

Accessibility tips

• If you are answering questions or addressing conversations from the chat, read the questions/comments out loud.
• Use the chat sparingly in large classes. Screen readers will read every chat message, which can get distracting in Zoom meetings with many attendees.