Asynchronous
Tools
Asynchronous tools enable communication
and collaboration over a period of time
through a "different time different place" mode. These tools allow
people to connect together at each person's own convenience and own schedule.
Asynchronous tools are useful for sustaining dialogue and collaboration over a
period of time and providing people with resources and information that are
instantly accessible, day or night.
Asynchronous tools possess the advantage of
being able to involve people from multiple time zones. In addition,
asynchronous tools are helpful in capturing the history of the interactions of
a group, allowing for collective knowledge to be more easily shared and
distributed. The primary drawback of asynchronous technologies is that they
require some discipline to use when used for ongoing communities of practice
(e.g., people typically must take the initiative to "login" to
participate) and they may feel "impersonal" to those who prefer
higher-touch synchronous technologies.
Synchronous Tool
Synchronous tools enable real-time
communication and collaboration in a "same time-different place"
mode. These tools allow people to connect at a single point in time, at the
same time.
Synchronous tools possess the advantage of being able to engage
people instantly and at the same point in time. The primary drawback of
synchronous tools is that, by definition, they require same-time participation
-different time zones and conflicting schedules can create communication
challenges. In addition, they tend to be costly and may require significant
bandwidth to be efficient.
Referent
By: Julia Ashley , iCohere
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