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The use of (a)synchronous commu Niehues

Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Other, grade: 2, University of Marburg, course: E-Learning, 14 entries in the bibliography, language: English, comment: This paper gives an overview of different modes of communication and their associated tools and methods with special focus on their use in E-learning situations. The distinction between synchonous and asynchronous varieties is discussed as well as their advantages and drawbacks. , abstract: This work tries to give a survey of the main communication tools, both synchronous and asynchronous that are (or have been) used in e-learning. After evaluating the respective advantages and disadvantages that are exhibited by the different modes of communication, a brief look will be taken at the social factors that may influence online communication. Concluding, several suggestions and recommendations can be made as to facilitate the use of (a)synchronous communication tools in e-learning. Communicating with teachers and co-learners is an important factor for the conventionalisation of newly acquired knowledge (Schulmeister 2003:159), so some care should be taken to enable both students and tutors to make optimal use of the facilities for communication they are provided with, as well as to take care to offer the needed diversity in communication tools.