Philipps University Marburg
Course: “E-Learning”
Summer Term 2004

The use of (a)synchronous communication
tools in e-learning

by: Jan Niehues

Contents

1 Introduction 4

2 Modes of communication 5

2.1 Synchronous communication 5
2.2 Asynchronous communication 5

3 Communication tools 6

3.1 Synchronous communication tools 6

3.1.1 The telephone and internet telephony 6
3.1.2 Chat (IRC) / voice chat 6
3.1.3 Instant messaging 7
3.1.4 Video broadcast and conferencing 7
3.1.5 Application sharing (Audiographics) / shared whiteboard 7
3.1.6 Virtual worlds / MUDs  8

3.2 Asynchronous communication tools 8

3.2.1 Mail and fax  8
3.2.2 E-mail  8
3.2.3 Discussion forums / Message boards 9

4 The use of synchronous communication tools in E-Learning 10

4.1 Advantages 10
4.2 Disadvantages 10
4.3 Summary 10

5 The use of asynchronous communication tools in E-Learning 12

5.1 Advantages 12
5.2 Disadvantages 12
5.3 Summary 13

6 Social Factors  15

7 Requirements / Recommendations 16

7.1 Teacher requirements / recommendations 16
7.2 Student requirements / recommendations 17
7.3 Technical requirements / recommendations 17
7.4 Summary 18

8 Conclusion 19

9 References 20

1 Introduction

This work tries to give a survey of the main communication tools, both synchronous and asynchronous that are (or have been) used in e-learning. After evaluating the respective advantages and disadvantages that are exhibited by the different modes of communication, a brief look will be taken at the social factors that may influence online communication. Concluding, several suggestions and recommendations can be made as to facilitate the use of (a) synchronous communication tools in e-learning. Communicating with teachers and co-learners is an important factor for the conventionalisation of newly acquired knowledge (Schulmeister 2003:159), so some care should be taken to enable both students and tutors to make optimal use of the facilities for communication they are provided with, as well as to take care to offer the needed diversity in communication tools.

2 Modes of communication

Different means of communication can generally be grouped into synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication. This is true, regardless of whether communication is conducted by means of electronic devices or not. Both modes of communication can either be point-to-point, with one sender and one receiver or point-to-several which can have a large number of receivers. The third variant, several-to-several communication, is often limited in the number of participants, as a large number of people communicating simultaneously can generate a high volume of information.

2.1 Synchronous communication

Synchronous communication is characterised by the fact that any information immediately reaches all communicators who then can immediately react. This requires all participants to be active simultaneously. An example of this would be a dialogue between two people.

2.2 Asynchronous communication

Asynchronous communication is communication that is conducted by means of any technology that is capable of storing information to be received and reacted upon at a later date. An example would be an exchange of letters. Asynchronous communication typically allows messages and information to be kept which is of great importance as the possibility to access learning materials as long as possible and in the same manner is highly supportive of the learning process (Glowalla, Grob, Thome 2000:71).

3 Communication tools

Both modes of communication can be realised by means of a wide range of different tools, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.

3.1 Synchronous communication tools

A typical feature of synchronous communication tools is that communication is linear, i.e. one utterance is followed by the next one, threading or grouping of messages is not possible. To keep communication from becoming incomprehensible separate ‘channels’ or ‘rooms’ can be set up for each topic. Usually only one user can ‘speak’ at a time, thus resulting in users having to compete for participation. There are several tools to conduct synchronous communication, the most important of which are:

3.1.1 The telephone and internet telephony

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