Module 5
Synchronous Communication Tools
by Jerrod Pickering
October 06, 2008
| Skype (Audio) | Skype (Text) | Google Talk | |
| Summary | Synchronous tool that utilizes microphones to talk to others utilizing the internet | Another portion of Skype that allows texting or more commonly known as instant messaging | Another Google program that works as an instant messaging program. |
| Benefactors | Anyone, whether for business or pleasure. I use this daily to talk to my brother in El Salvador | Anyone who has a computer that wants to communicate with others | Anyone who has a computer that wants to communicate with others |
| Higher Order Thinking Skills | Allows the free flow exchange of ideas in real time | If more than one conversation is taking place at once; multi-tasking skills are a must. | If more than one conversation is taking place at once; multi-tasking skills are a must. |
| Advantages | Used worldwide, Easy to set up, integrates with other program, allows calls to and from land lines and cell phones | If you already have Skype, then you do not need any additional software. | Software comes from a popular name and you do not have to create a seperate login name if you are already a Google program user. |
| Disadvantages | It costs money to call land lines and cell phones. | Just like any other IM software, you can get lost if too many people are in the conversation. | I thought it was hard trying to find other users. |
| Supporting Distance Education | It is nice to talk to people and hear their voice. | Sometimes voice is not always an option and texting is a nice alternative. | Sometimes voice is not always an option and texting is a nice alternative. |
| Personal Reaction | I have found out that if an internet connection is poor, this tool does not work well at all. | This is great add on for Skype because if you get kicked off the voice because of bandwidth issues, you can pick up the conversation through text. | I love Google, but this was not a very user friendly product to me, but it is still in its beta form and I look to see it beefed up in the future. |
