Читать книгу Online Learning For Dummies - Susan Manning - Страница 45

The other option in online learning, which has grown by leaps and bounds recently, is synchronous learning. Think about the explosion of online meetings, online webinars, and opportunities to look at other people while not being in the same physical space. In this situation, you’re provided a schedule of times to be available and explicit instructions concerning the software you need to connect with others.

Real-time synchronous learning most closely approximates traditional education; the meeting time is specific. Courses and companies use synchronous time in a few different ways:

 Some instructors require classes to meet so that they can lecture in real time. This also allows them to interact with students and determine whether students are following along in class.

 Many companies have moved training online as synchronous learning. What may have been a face-to-face meeting is now a web conference.

 Some instructors host online office hours or informal times when they’re available to answer student questions. These instructors may not have a specific agenda for that time, but are open to whatever the student needs.

 As we discuss in Chapter 13, you may be involved in a group project. A synchronous meeting is an excellent method to get a lot of work done in short order.

Keep in mind that these synchronous or scheduled meetings don’t require you to be in the same physical place. Though you may have to get online at a certain time, you can do so from the comfort of your home, office, or hotel room. And, you can wear your pajamas if you want to, and no one will be the wiser (unless you stand up and walk away from the screen while your webcam is on)!

The business world loves synchronous meetings. Companies have been saving time and money by offering part of their employee training via synchronous webinars and online conference meetings for years now. Although staff may be in different cities, everyone shows up at the same time online. Here’s a list of some common web conferencing software:

 Zoom: https://zoom.us

 Microsoft Teams: Available as part of Microsoft Office 365

 Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/

 GoToMeeting: www.gotomeeting.com

 WebEx: www.webex.com