Chat Tools
Tool Features:
Live chat is "real time" synchronous, communication through text, and in some cases graphics, audio, video, and/or avatars. Additional features might include language translation and shared web-browsing.
Where Tool Can Be Found:
Tappedin - free
http://www.tappedin.org/Active Worlds Educational Universe - free
http://www.activeworlds.com/edu/awedu.asp
Examples of Tool Implementation for Collaboration:
After School Online
http://www.tappedin.org/info/calendar