---
title: "Chat"
canonical: "https://helpcentre.macewan.ca/space/ETS/2655518721/Chat"
format: markdown
---
**AUDIENCE:  **<span style="color: #bf2600">**FACULTY**</span>** | **<span style="color: #bf2600">**STAFF**</span>

---

## Introduction

The Chat activity can be used to create a chat room where **synchronous** chats can take place. This is different from Forums, where communication is typically **asynchronous**. You can schedule chat sessions daily, weekly, or one-off. When you schedule chats, they are added to the course calendar.

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## Creating a Chat Activity

Turn Edit mode on in the top-right corner of the main course page.

![image](media://29a661be-9d21-40e5-a5c0-4d8588d1661f)

Find the section where you want to add the Chat activity and click **+ Activity or resource**.

![image](media://c1e51b7e-3ac8-466c-b8b0-762706bc0e66)

**Click on Chat to open a new Chat activity.**

![image](media://4ec37733-d230-485b-ae48-ccc51360edb4)

## General

There are several options available on the page that opens.

![image](media://81381134-36ea-48b0-859c-60c40c177acf)

Enter a name for this Chat activity in the **Name of the chat room** text box.

If desired, add a description in the **Description** text box and check the **Display description on course page** option.

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## Chat Sessions

Use the options on this page to set the time(s) and/or frequency of scheduled chats. The purpose of publishing a chat session time is to inform students when other students (and maybe the instructor) will be online to chat. Scheduling chat times adds those chat times to the class calendar, although the Chat sessions can be accessed at any time once the activity is open.

In the **Save past sessions **menu, you can also set how long messages should be retained before they are deleted.

If **Everyone can view past sessions** is set to **No**, only instructors can view past sessions. Students can view past sessions only if the instructor gives them access. Conversely, students and instructors can access previous chats if this option is set to Yes. 

![image](media://a0f35968-f73e-4a77-a543-b690aab8a569)

## Common Module Settings

![image](media://255fa228-c73d-4fb1-b356-8dcd85163487)

## Restrict Access

You can **Restrict access** to the Feedback activity if you like. For example, you may want students to complete an activity before they chat about it.

![image](media://3ea54747-ce6f-4d4d-a758-6de70926f09e)

## Activity Completion

The normal **Activity completion** options are available.

## Tags

The normal **Tags** options are available.

When finished, click **SAVE AND DISPLAY** to move on to the question creation stage.

![image](media://253776bc-177a-477f-825c-b0b705563aae)

## Using Chat

To access the Chat, click on the link to the chat room on the mêskanâs main page. The options are self-explanatory, but if you choose to **Use more accessible interface**, you will have to click the **Refresh** button to load new messages, as they will not load automatically.

![image](media://df525cc2-bad7-45a9-9bf0-c54443f783e1)

![image](media://957bf477-c003-4b75-8c74-601604427437)


> Macro (details)
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> **Related Keywords**
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> | Related Issues | chat | chat-room | communicate | synchronous |
> | --- | --- |