Week 7, Ch. 7&8, Question 2

What is the difference between asynchronous and synchronous communication? Name and describe the Internet communication tools that fall into each category.

Synchronous communication and asynchronous communication are exact opposites of each other. Synchronous communication involves direct communication where all parties are involved at the same time. An example of synchronous communication would be the telephone. While on the telephone, one is having direct contact with another person at the same time. This does not include leaving a voicemail on another person's line because that would not be having direct contact at the same time with the other person. An example of synchronous communication on the internet would be a chat room. In a chat room, people are actively communicating at the same time. They are asking questions, making statements, and responding all at the same time. Asynchronous communication does not involved all parties being involved at the same time. An example of asynchronous communication would be E-mail. Through e-mail, one leaves another a message and cannot expect the receiver to get the message right away. Not all parties are involved at the same time when dealing with asynchronous communication.