Week 19 · Theme 3, Lessons 4–5 Internet Communication; How to Use E-communication · 3 lessons
1
Live or later? Two ways to communicate
ICT P4 Term 2, Theme 3: pp. 22–29
GoalTell synchronous (live) communication from asynchronous (later) communication.
New words
synchronous · happening at the same time, liveasynchronous · not needing an answer at once, or everyone at the same timereal time · at the very moment things happenreply · an answer to a message
Explanation
We can use the internet to communicate in two ways. Synchronous communication happens in real time. People talk or write at the same moment, as in a video chat, instant messaging, a chat room or a live TV programme. Asynchronous communication does not need an answer at once, and the people do not need to be there at the same time, as in an email or a recorded lesson. The first way is like a telephone call or a talk face to face. The second way is like a letter that you drop in a letter box and the other person reads whenever they like. Each has a strength. Live communication is quick and you can talk back and forth. Later communication gives everyone time to think and to answer when it suits them.
Worked examples
Karim phones his cousin. The cousin answers at once and they talk. Both are there at the same moment, so this is synchronous.
Farida writes an email to her teacher on Friday evening. The teacher reads it on Sunday morning and replies. They did not need to be there at the same time, so this is asynchronous.
A football match shown on TV at this moment is live. A cartoon that was recorded last year and shown whenever you like is not.
Class activity
Live or later game. Make eight cards with ways to communicate (video chat, email, chat room, recorded lesson, instant message, live TV, a letter, a phone call). Sort them into two piles: Live and Later. Then act it out. Live: two partners talk at the same time. Later: write a short note, drop it in a box, and let your partner read it and answer after a few minutes.
Practice
1
What does synchronous mean?
Happening at the same time, live.
2
What does asynchronous mean?
No answer is needed at once, and people need not be there at the same time.
3
Is an email synchronous or asynchronous? Why?
Asynchronous, because the reader can answer later.
