There are a myriad of communication tools out there and many of them such as email and discussion boards have been around for decades. Though useful they are not synchronous. Merriam Webster defines synchronous as “happening, existing, or arising at precisely the same time.” Synchronous communication tools allow users to interact in real time with one or more individuals. This includes conferencing (web, audio and video), on-line chatting, and instant messaging which are growing in popularity. The Standards for the 21st Century Learner (American Association of School Librarians, 2007) dictates that “today’s students need to develop information skills that will enable them to use technology as an important tool for learning, both now and in the future.” These are the tools of today and they are being introduced into K-12 classrooms as well as becoming a mainstay in higher education courses. On-line and blended higher education courses are transformed into learning communities where students use Skype, Messenger, iChat and other communication tools to ask questions, share trials and errors about new concepts, discuss research and clarify thinking. K-12 educators often use these tools for the same purpose as well as to bring outside experts into the classroom. In Clicking Across Cultures (2009) Cutshall reports, “Students say they prefer making connections through the new technologies to traditional activities.” Watch the video below to see Skype being used in an elementary reading class.
Are you ready to Skype, IM or chat in your classroom?
References
Cutshall, S. (2009). Clicking across cultures. Educational Leadership, 67(1), 40. Retrieved from EBSCOHost
American Association of School Librarians. (2007). Standards for the 21st century learner. Standards definitions document. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards
