by Kelly Wilkerson

What are synchronous Interaction Tools?

Synchronous Interaction Tools are tools that allow the users to communicate in "Real-Time." Some examples include the telephone, virtual meetings, and instant messaging.

Synchronous Interaction Tools are related to but opposite of Asynchronous Communication Tools. The easiest way to identify with these two concepts is to think of some common applications of both:
Common Synchronous Interaction Tools are webconferencing, videoconferencing, teleconferencing, online collaborative tools, and chat or instant messaging.
Common Asynchronous Interaction Tools are email and threaded discussion.

Asynchronous Interaction Tools have been primarily used in distance-learning environments in the past, and have the benefit of allowing students to do work on their own schedule and pace, but the drawback to asynchronous interaction tools is that you cannot use them efficiently in collaborative learning. In other words, the time delay makes it ineffective for working together or at the same time.

The benefit of Synchronous Interaction Tools is that they mimic “Presence.” A group can talk, see, and work together at the same time, which is as close to a real-time face-to-face encounter as is possible in a distance-learning environment. As Web 2.0 applications become more common and popular, synchronous interaction tools seem poised to become more common in distance-learning situations.

Webconferencing systems, or virtual meetings as they are sometimes called, use the phone and a networked computer screen to allow unlimited participants to talk and view the same content and application at the same time. These synchronous interaction tools allow students to work simultaneously on the same document or project in real time while talking to each other. Teams can work together to brainstorm ideas and build on ideas. The cost associated with using the telephone can be a drawback to webconferencing using a telephone.

VOIP or Voiceover IP is webconferencing without the use of a telephone. The audio is transmitted over the Internet. Participants using VOIP typically use built-in microphones and speakers on their computers to communicate while simultaneously working together on the same project or application (spreadsheets, webpages, documents, concept mapping, etc.) Students from anywhere in the world can gather together online to work on the same projects as if they were in the same classroom by using synchronous interaction tools.

Although there is not a Common Craft video that I could find regarding synchronous communication/interaction tools, I did find two articles at the Common Craft website:

http://www.commoncraft.com/interview-steve-august-kda-research - discusses the Internet, digital devices such as cameras, and online communication technologies all becoming synchronous and working together.

and

http://www.commoncraft.com/archives/000335.html - which sums up that synchronous interaction is good but not always the best policy. Sometimes we must multitask, using email, and working independently.

Synchronous Interaction Tools that you can use...

Instant Messaging SITs

AOL IM - http://dashboard.aim.com/aim - This was one of the first synchronous interaction tools. AOL IM or America Online Instant Messenger. You can still sign up for a free account. It allows users to type to each other in real time. You can monitor your "buddy list" to see which friends are online and available to chat. New features of this product offer picture sharing and video chat.

Webconferencing or Virtual Meeting SITs

Thinkature - http://www.thinkature.com/ - Real-time collaboration for the web. You can sign up for a free account. Thinkature allows users to create a collaborative workspace and invite friends/coworkers to join. Users can communicate by chatting, drawing, and adding content all in synchronous time. Users do not need to hit reload or get an editing lock while using this product.

MindJet/MindManager - http://www.mindjet.com/products/overview.aspx - With MindJet, you can update documents simultaneously, host web conferences, and share files in online workspaces. The cost of this product is $349 for a new subscription. Version 8 is available for Windows and Version 7 is available for Mac.

Microsoft Office Groove - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/groove/default.aspx - Groove markets itself as a collaboration software program with out-of-the-box integration with other Microsoft Programs since it is a Microsoft Office product. It allows users to works synchronously or offline on a broad range of project activities. Free 60 day trial or purchase for $229. Chris from our class has used this product, and says it does not work very well. He says it works online when users are collaborating. It is hard to update a shared file if only one person is logged in.

iLinc - http://www.ilinc.com/index.php - iLinc is marketed a web and video conferencing affordable for anyone. iLinc offers a free trial or you can purchase iLinc for as low as $39 per month. iLinc is compatible with Mac or PC.

Wimba - http://www.wimba.com/ - Wimba offers collaborative tools for K-12 grades and post-secondary schools. Wimba says "people teach people" and offers collaboration tools to bring elements of traditional classroom instruction to the online learning environment.

InterCall - http://www.intercall.com/ - Company offering web conferencing, video conferencing, and audio conferencing.

References

This is a good, although somewhat outdated, link from The University of North Carolina regarding synchronous interaction. http://technologysource.org/article/distance_learning_and_synchronous_interaction/ This website was a good reference for beginning my research of synchronous interaction tools.

PowerPoint explaining synchronous interaction tools and their benefits: http://www.ncmeresource.org/onsite/dh_guide/par04/02par04.htm