Two of the advantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies I found similar, as presented in the three articles, are better communication tools and software. Some of the tools the authors listed are PDA, Cell phones, improved personal computers and laptops. Another advantage the authors Delich, Kelly, and McIntosh (2008) pointed out in their article, Education for a Digital World, is the availability for people in third world (developing) countries to take courses online today. People who live miles and miles away from colleges and universities are now able to get a degree through the help of technologies.
While these tools are becoming more and more available, there are also disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies. While we have things like audio and video technology, people are still not using video technology too much because as McGreal and Elliott (2008) pointed out in the article, file size different plays a huge factor. While audio file can be small (mp3, wmv), video files are sometimes too large. As they explained, video samples “demand more processing power on part of the receiving computer” and there is a huge demand “on hardware and requires additional software” to run the video” (2008, p. 147).
For me, the advantages of synchronous technologies allow for faster communication between two persons or a group of people. Many organizations now use teleconference for meeting and the Internet and improvement in telephone technology has allowed for faster and more reliable communication. Not everyone has to be present at the table in order to have a meeting. The advantages of asynchronous technologies include video and audio. If you miss a meeting or some kind of conference, most of the time, you can view the videos and audio later on at a time of your choice. You don’t have to worry about missing the importance pieces.
The disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies in my opinion include slower pace working environment, slower response time, and the need for face-to-face communication is limited. While synchronous technologies allow better communication through audibly and visually, some people might content to just stay home instead of showing up for a meeting. This could also be said for asynchronous technologies because people will tend to procrastinate and the response time to a question or project will take longer.
One big disadvantage the authors seem to not focus on is the Internet, itself. With all the computer and PDA, cell phones…they all need the Internet or Wireless network to connect. If there is no network, or if for some reason the Internet goes down, then people wouldn’t be able to log online to do what they need.
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You say "people will tend to procrastinate and the response time to a question or project will take longer." I think that people's expectations now are for quicker turnaround. We receive emails 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And most people I know are email addicts so not only do we receive them, but we answer them. Before we had these technologies, we would eitherh pick up a phone, or wait for a piece of "snail mail". Now if someone doesn't answer the email then we IM them asking if they saw the email.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about the need to have a connection in order for the technology to be effective. I know I've gone into a panic mode knowing I have an assignment due and then POOF out goes my digital services (phone, cable & internet). So then I pick up the cell, connect and try to find somewhere else (a library perchance) to get my work done. And oh yeah while on the cell I'll check my email!
I would 100% go for the emails and not the phone. :-) People tend to confuse you on the phone more than it is on emails. But if there is no internet connection, the good old phone is still the thing to use.
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