Synchronous tools are technologies used to mediate realtime communication in various forms, including instant messaging, voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP), and video conferencing. Online learning has become a more and more popular and pervasive learning format in the global and digital age; therefore, the demand to adopt synchronous tools and technologies to support real-time interaction in the learning process has been increasing.

Interactions occurring in an online learning environment can be categorized according to (1) interaction between participant learners and content, (2) interaction between the instructor and participant learners, and (3) interaction among participant learners. The first type of interaction (learners-content) usually is mediated through asynchronous tools because learners need time to read, reflect, comprehend, and respond to the content. Synchronous technology can facilitate instructor-learner and learner-learner interactions. ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles