Dim Dim to the Rescue

I had talked to my colleagues regarding some author visits about a month ago. The cost was approximately $3000 to be split between three elementary schools in our district. After taking this course, I look at DimDim and other such sites as a hopeful alternative. If cost is an issue (answer...of course), then see if having an online chat with your author is more realistic. More students will be able to ask questions and hearing answers will be less of a difficulty. One could display their work in progress to share with the guest author as well. You could even have a conference among several authors without leaving your computer lab. Until the comfort level and potential of blogs is realized, conference software is another powerful option to work with other schools whether 3, 300, or 3000 miles away.