Synchronous or asynchronous?
In the list below, you can find some examples of online synchronous and asynchronous communication tools. More information on these tools can be found in the modules ‘development’ and ‘e-coaching’.
Synchronous tools
- Chat (e.g. Facebook chat)
- Audio- and video conferencing (Skype, Teamviewer)
Asynchronous tools
- Discussion forums (e.g. own forum) and platforms (e.g Voicethread)
- Wiki (e.g. Wikispaces)
- Blog (e.g. WordPress, Edublogger)
- Social networks (e.g. Facebook, Twitter)
- Share documents (e.g. Dropbox, Onenote)
The choice for a synchronous or asynchronous tool depends on the learning objectives you set.
- Asynchronous tools are more suited for complex assignments that run over a longer period of time and that require research work of your students.
- Synchronous tools are more suited for objectives that require direct interaction.
