Gmail in the Classroom

I would like to try to add a chat feature to several early childhood teachers.  I'm a consultant and I think this would be a nice feature as the teachers I support look for new ideas to use in their classrooms, look for ideas on data collection for the GOLD assessment as well as just connect to one another on a daily basis.  Often, EC teachers are a single discipline in their building or district.  Getting together with others on a routine basis is hard to do.  Adding the chat feature could enhance the communication and connectedness we could feel, especially when the new ECOPD (professional development) is rolled out this fall.