There are many different forms of technology now available for educators to use in the classroom. However, three main types have emerged for educators to use in the classroom. To begin with is computer mediated communication. This is any form of communication between two or more individual people who interact and influence one another via separate computers. This can be in the form of email, instant messaging, or video games. This allows for students to learn in more convenient locations and also allows for distance education to be possible. (ex: online classes) Also, by having this type of communication, opportunities to experience other types of cultures are increased. One way you can implement this type of communication in the classroom is through a blog where students can journal and reflect upon their work.
Second is asynchronous communication, which allows for participants to post whenever they want to and save the postings so that the individual participants can view them later. This can include things such as blogs, surveys and assessments. Asynchronous communication is helpful because it is flexible, and much more accessible, and also allows for the student to have time to think about the given subject, and create a thought. One way you can implement this type of communication is through bulletin boards where students can post messages for other class or group members to respond, and also where they can share information with one another.
Third is Synchronous Communication where the learner and instructor is online at the same time and communicating in real time. This can include real-time chat, instant messaging, video conferencing and web casting. This type of communication is helpful because it allows for students to collaborate with their classmates in small group discussion rooms. Two ways you can incorporate this in your classroom is through chats where teams and groups can share ideas and brainstorm, and also through email and instant messaging where students can email information about class assignments, and share programs with one another.
These types of technology used for communication can affect the classroom because they have proven to be a valuable educational tool. They have allowed for the classroom to become much more virtual and accessible for students outside of class, and created greater access to professors and teachers. It has also allowed for students to see their learning as much more group learning instead of individual learning, and helped them to learn how to collaborate much more effectively with their peers.
