I am interested in the relationship between anonymous questions during class lectures or expository lessons. Do reticent students engage teachers with inquiries more frequently showing student engagement if they are able to use Chat, journal, or instant message type tools? Do students of lesser capability pair with students who are more successful? and can Teachers meet the real time needs of students if they are able to glance at the back channel discussion during their presentation?
As a student, I haven't participated in a chat during lecture, but have had several professors who require students to ask and answer questions through a class-based online forum during the week to generate discussion about relevant topics. I've found this learning modality to be most helpful when the professor requires that students participate in the chat prior to the lecture so that the professor can observe, then address learning issues that were raised in the weekly discussion.
Alternately, I've had professors ask students to email a short list of questions (whether based on confusion or curiosity) prior to the lecture so that the professor can summarize themes of students' wonderings and address these during the following class. I would be interested to hear back about the in-class chat modality if you do decide to implement it. Good luck!
Purdue have an application called Hotseat which may be of interest to you.
Here is a link to some info :)
http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/HotseatOpeningtheBackchannelin/213668
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