Technology issues in blended synchronous learning

Universities have responded to demand from students for increased time flexibility by providing online alternatives to face-to-face education, typically centered around the provision of online learning resources along with asynchronous online learning activities. More recently, synchronous options afforded by the capabilities of web conferencing tools, video conferencing tools and virtual worlds have emerged, providing the potential to bring together face-to-face and remote students using blended synchronous learning strategies. In the OLT-funded project Blended Synchronicity: Uniting on-campus and distributed learners through rich-media real-time collaboration tools, seven case studies of the use of blended synchronous learning strategies were explored. This discussion paper highlights the technology considerations and technology setup issues emerging from the case studies, as background material for a round table discussion session at the conference.