Chat rooms provide synchronous communication capabilities for large numbers of users within the context of a web site. Most Internet chat rooms are open to all comers, but in the context of a virtual learning environment (VLE) or learning management system (LMS), access is usually restricted.
Dialogue in chat rooms is usually restricted to text and sometimes emoticons (little pictures representing different emotions).
Chat sessions can be usefully employed in online, distance learning courses to allow for real-time group collaboration.