Synchronous vs. asynchronous communication and the Generation Gap
Most young ppl are now Asynchronous.... chatters
In synchronous communication multiple parties are participating at the same time and wait for replies from each other. One way to visualize the concept of synchronous communications is to imagine a real-time online chat session in which you exchange messages with a live customer support specialist to get help for your broken toaster oven.
Before message exchange in this synchronous scenario can begin, the sender and receiver must establish a communications session and agree which party is going to be in control. Once the session is established, the two-way, give-and-take conversation occurs in actual time. When you type and send a chat message, the party at the other end is present and actively waiting to receive or hear your message and then immediately respond to it. Both parties are working together at the same time with their clocks in lockstep (time zone differences notwithstanding) -- in other words, synchronized.
Asynchronous communication is different. For example, it occurs when that toaster oven manufacturer doesn't offer real-time chat, forcing you instead to send an email message to a company's tech support department. The recipient is neither expecting nor waiting for an incoming message and therefore may not get to it right away.
ONE THING YOU HAVE TO LEARN IN CHAT
Synchronous vs. asynchronous communication
and the Generation Gap
Most young ppl are now Asynchronous....
chatters
In synchronous communication multiple parties are participating at the same time and wait for replies from each other. One way to visualize the concept of synchronous communications is to imagine a real-time online chat session in which you exchange messages with a live customer support specialist to get help for your broken toaster oven.
Before message exchange in this synchronous scenario can begin, the sender and receiver must establish a communications session and agree which party is going to be in control. Once the session is established, the two-way, give-and-take conversation occurs in actual time. When you type and send a chat message, the party at the other end is present and actively waiting to receive or hear your message and then immediately respond to it. Both parties are working together at the same time with their clocks in lockstep (time zone differences notwithstanding) -- in other words, synchronized.
Asynchronous communication is different. For example, it occurs when that toaster oven manufacturer doesn't offer real-time chat, forcing you instead to send an email message to a company's tech support department. The recipient is neither expecting nor waiting for an incoming message and therefore may not get to it right away.