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Synchronous communication occurs “at the same time�? between two or more people, it is the opposite of asynchronous communication (Oxford, 2005). In reference to computer systems, synchronous communication requires the participant to “be connected to the communication device at the same time�? (The CMC Resource Site, 2002). Communication that occurs over telephones, mobile phones, and the Internet is considered to be synchronous and is similar to face-to-face interaction. In terms of the Internet, communication occurs synchronously in forms such as chat, videoconferencing, and teleconferencing (Department Of Information And Communication Services, 2005).
Chat is a synchronous, “online, real-time interactive communication method using text to send and receive instant messages�? (World Wide Learn, 2005). It is commonly recognised as text-to-text communication that occurs between two or more people using the chat program, for example Microsoft’s Messenger Network (MSN) (Sorbello, 2004).
In comparison to chat, where communication is text-based, videoconferencing allows the transfer of aural and visual communication over the Internet, thus communication occurs wholly without text. Teleconferencing is much the same in that it is not text-based communication; it occurs over the Internet, but it is also possible over other “telecommunication channels such as telephone lines, [and] local area networks�? (World Wide Learn, 2005). Both of these forms are most alike to face-to-face communication.
In virtual classrooms, synchronous communication is used for learning and teaching, it has been referred to as a “channel�? of communication, which learners use to communicate with fellow class members and their teacher (Burbles, 2004, p.7). Chat can occur between the teacher and the learner in real-time, hence replies are immediate, which is an attribute similar to face-to-face conversation in the traditional, physical classroom (Watkins, 2004). Chat sessions are usually organised with a predetermined purpose that is in line with other learning activities in the virtual classroom. The way that chat is used can vary. For example, the discussion topic, level of engagement, and whether the communication is formal or non formal, and what the aim of the chat session is, all vary among different virtual classrooms (Burbles, 2004, p.7). Videoconferencing and teleconferencing in virtual classrooms are not as common as chat tools, because they require “a minimum connection speed�? as they are “memory-intensive�?; all students may not have these requirements (Lehmann, 2004, p.15).
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Burbles, N. C. (2004) “Navigating the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Pedagogy,�? in Haythornthwaite, C., and Kazmer, M. M. (eds.) Learning, Culture and Community in Online Education: Research and Practice, New York: Peter Lang Publishing, pp. 1-17. ISBN 0820468479
Lehmann, K.J. (2004) “Successful Online Communication�?, in K.J. Lehmann (ed.) How to be a Great Online Teacher, USA: Scarecrow Education, pp. 9-16. ISBN 1578861128
Oxford (2005) “Synchronous,�? retrieved September 5, 2005, from http://www.askoxford.com/results/?view=dev_dict&field-12668446=synchronous&branch=13842570&textsearchtype=exact&sortorder=score%2Cname
Department Of Information And Communication Services (2005) “Selected Definitions,�? retrieved September 5, 2005, from http://csguide.auxservices.org/5.1.0.php
Sorbello, E. (2004) “Virtual Communities – Online,�? retrieved September 5, 2005, from http://newmediawiki.ci.qut.edu.au/index.php/Virtual_Communities_-_Online
The CMC Resource Site (2002) “Glossary,�? retrieved September 5, 2005, from http://cde.athabascau.ca/cmc/glossary.html
Watkins, R. (2004) “E-learning Study Skills and Strategies,�? Distance Learning vol.1, no.3, pp. 32-34.
World Wide Learn (2005) “Types of E-Learning,�? retrieved September 5, 2005, from http://www.worldwidelearn.com/elearning-essentials/elearning-types.htm
Amy Thompson 22:14, 27 Oct 2005 (EST)
