ICT as communicative tool

ICT as Communicative tool

Communicative tool is an application which enables easy communication. These rooms enable the interaction between members of the team work involved in different stages of integrated products, processes or manufacturing systems development. These allow learners to learn and interact with each other, and the instructors. Effective communicative tools include chats, Skype face book, Gmail etc.…. These are the mediums or channels used to transmit information.

In today’s e-learning environment the type of learning that takes place is generally divided into categories that is synchronous and asynchronous. Both learning strategies have their own pros and cones, and the technique that is right for students greatly depends upon their method of absorbing the information that is being provided. Ideally, effective e-learning course should include both asynchronous and synchronous learning activities. This allows students and teachers to benefit from the different delivery formats regardless of their schedules or preferred learning methods. This approach provides students with access to immediate help if needed, while still giving them the ability to learn at their own pace. 

Examples of e-learning are online chat, telephone call, and videoconferencing. Any learning tool that is real-time, such as instant messaging that allows students and teachers to ask and answer questions immediately, is synchronous.

Rather than learning on their own, students who participate in synchronous learning courses are able to interact with other students and their teachers during the lesson. This learning allows students to avoid feelings of isolation. They are in communication with others throughout the learning process.

 However synchronous learning is not flexible in terms of time as students would have set aside a specific time slot in order to attend a live teaching session or online course in real-time. So it may not be ideal for those who already have busy schedules. Multiple threads of discussion are difficult to follow and slow connection distracts and fails to keep alongside each other of interest.

Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, can be carried out even when the student or teacher is offline. Coursework and communications delivered via web, email, and message posted on community forums are perfect examples of asynchronous e-learning.

Virtual learning EnvironmentWe Chat

In these instances, students will typically complete the lessons on their own and merely use the internet as a support tool rather than venturing online solely for interactive classes.

However there are few difficulties of asynchronous communicative tool. The discussion through asynchronous tools minimize frequency of the discussion sine it involve delayed responses which also fails to maintain interest of the participant. Since it does not involve instant discussion, checking for the post and replies is an additional task for the person. Therefore these natures of asynchronous communicative tool may discourage learner’s participation which would affect their learning.