Part One: Advantages and Disadvantages of Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication

• Synchrous is real time, and asynchronous is time delayed.
• Synchronous communication takes place when people are connected at the same time (real time communication) whereas asynchronous communication does not require people to be online at the same time.

• Synchronous: phone calls, skype, text chat, face-to-face talk
• Asynchronous: snail post, e-mails, springdoo messages, blogs, forums, podcasts, videoblogs or vlogs

• Advantages: you can get an immediate response; instant feedback fosters communication; there seems to be a more emotional bonding effect between people when there is a possiblity to communicate in real time (synchronously), spontaneity.

• Weaknesses: there is less time to think about what you want to say or your response to another; time may be a limiting factor, e.g time zones; synchronous communication over the computer may be difficult because of the speed of data transaction with slower connections; you need extra equipment (speakers, microphone, webcamera)

• Advantages: you have time to think about what you want to say; time is not a constraint. You can receive the message whenever you have time and you can analyze the content of the message more carefully so the answer you give can be even more meaningful because it has gone through a process of elaboration.
• Weaknesses: no immediate response, especially where time is significant; you may not know if the other person has received your message; the message loses human contact.

text chat, e-conferencing, voice chat (Skype, Yahoo, GoogleTalk, MSN), video chat (also Skype and Yahoo)

• Skype (video, voice and text)
• Yahoo Messenger (text, video and voice)
• Chat function within an e-Learning platform
• Breeze e-conference, powwow - unsuccessfully
• Yahoo Messenger
• IEARN chat room

• If it is for learning purposes, give the chat very restricted and clear parameters, (the more participants, the more important the restrictions) including a goal to be reached within the time of the chat.
• To restrict the topic of the chat session so that its content is meaningful for all the participants
• To set the topic beforehand and give each participant some guidelines to be ready to contribute to the discussion.
• In the case of voice chat, to invite participants to talk but not to be too pushy. Some people need more time to gain confidence and feel better just listening.

Contributors

Illya, Silvana, Claudia

Part Two:

1. In your experience, what are the main advantages and drawbacks of the different kinds of chats (text, voice, video)?

(Your answer here)

1. Which chat ACRONYMS do you know?

(Your answer here)

1. Tell us all about your BEST or WORST experience at a chat session. Perhaps someone has a funny story that can make us all laugh a bit???

(Your answer here or in the blog