Why synchronous communication in teaching and learning hasn't worked... yet..

Here we go, a quick Xplana dip into why synchronous communication tools in education leave so much wanting:

The Reality of Synchronous Communication

OK… here’s why all your synchronous communication facilities, chat rooms, shared whiteboards, MOOs etc. have never really taken off. They just don’t push it.

Eh? Well, think about it:

Why do I use email rather than visit discussion boards daily? Because with email I can push my message where I want to push it (I don’t have to rely on other people ‘visiting’ to collect) and other people can do the same to me… all it takes is one app sitting on my desktop... read more

[James Farmer's Radio Weblog]

In my opinion, there's more to it than just the technology and the lack of push. Much of the synchronous stuff I've seen gives a person no compelling reason to spend time there. The design and social engineering of synchronous e-learning is the biggest gap. In addition, learners do not know how to "do" synchronous online learning. Classroom training is a snap - go to the appointed place at the appointed time, everyone shows up, somebody is in charge and tells you what to do. Asynchronous training is almost as easy - turn on the computer, load up the application, and do what the application tells you to do. With synchronous e-learning it's harder for people to associate the learning opportunity with a time and a place, they can't see anyone, communication is often only through the keyboard (which means it is s-l-o-w and b-o-r-i-n-g), and all too often nobody seems to be in charge - what do we do next? who knows?

I don't mean to sound like a grump, but synchronous e-learning has a long way to go and it will always require more effort on the part of instructors and learners to make it work.

9:04:03 AM