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Overview of Synchronous Communication Systems
Overview
Synchronous
Communication
- occurs simulataneously,
at the same time
- real
time communication
- online chat
- MUDs and MOOs
- Virtual Classrooms
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Online Synchronous
Communication Options
When considering synchronous
communication programs, there is a wide variety of functionality (with
an accordingly wide range of price tags) to consider. Some of the various
functions you can find in chat software includes:
- plain text chat(one to one)
- plain text chat (one or many
to many)
- audio chat (one to one)
- audio chat (one to many)
- video chat (usually one to many due to bandwidth
concerns)
- ability to moderate, lead discussions
through technological methods
- shared whiteboards / multimedia
capabilties
- file sharing capabilities
- sharing URLs, web touring
- application viewing/application sharing
- polls, exams, surveys
- ability to capture chat session
to disk for archiving purposes
- ability to specify IP addresses
allowed to join chat
- platform independance (through
java or else multiple platform client versions)
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Online
Synchronous Communication - Common Issues
Some of the tradeoffs we need
to examine (which are connected with the functionality issues) include:
- server based chat (one or many
to many) vs. one-to-one chat
- realtime (usually java or special
client) vs. slight lag (perl or other server-side scripting)
- low cost, low functionality
vs. high cost, high functionality solutions
- ease of use vs. level of interaction
- Examples:
Blackboard
- Virtual Chat
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Multi-User
Dimension (MUD) and Multi-Object Oriented (MOO)
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Virtual Classrooms
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Teaching
Activities and Limitations:
- Activities
- brain-storming
and group decision-making
- developing a sense
of community and group cohesion
- providing instant
feedback
- small group discussions
- virtual office
hours
- Advantages
- ensure comprehension
(instant feedback)
- live feedback
- explain complicated
information (sometimes easier to 'talk' through a problem rather
than to 'type' it out)
- adjust and teach
on the fly
- explain fast changing
info
- ensure attendance
- foster group discussion
- save on facilities
charges - students do not have to travel to a central point
- Limitations
- promoting in-depth discussion
or reflective thought
- accomodating conflicting schedules
or participation across multiple time zones
- accomodating students with weak
language and/or keyboarding skills
- large group discussions
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©
Mount Royal College, 2002
Academic Development Centre - NV2002/12/03
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