Synchronous communication: characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

This is one of the most common types of communication in Internet times.

New technologies have changed the way we interact with other people and this includes, of course, the way we communicate. The emergence of virtual platforms and mobile devices allows us to be in constant contact with everything, including people.

One of the many possibilities offered by the new technologies is synchronous communication.. Throughout this article we will talk about the fundamental characteristics of this, the main means or communication platforms that allow it, and the advantages and disadvantages it presents.

What is synchronous communication?

By synchrony we mean the coincidence in time of two or more events. If we apply this concept to communication between people, we obtain the idea of synchronous communication.

By synchronous communication we mean all those moments in which a dialogue or conversation takes place between two or more people in real time.. Within this dialogue, people share a discourse, a medium through which information circulates and the time they spend during the communication.

Although, at first, it may not be a novel concept (since it is reminiscent of a traditional spoken conversation), the idea of synchronous communication is framed within the world of new technologies, specifically within CMC (Computer Mediated Communication).

Within this field, synchronous communication is defined as a process of exchanging information in real time and through the use of the Internet or technological platforms.

The main characteristic of synchronous communication within CMC is the time factor, which offers us the possibility of dialogue, exchange information, debate... with one or more people, in real time, without the need for that person to be in front of us in that same place.

The first example that may come to mind is telephone conversations.. With the invention of the telephone around 1860, the revolution of synchronous communication began. For, despite the physical distance, two people can have a live exchange of information. In other words, synchronously.

However, with the advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), chat has become the prototype of synchronous communication par excellence. Chats provide us with a space for the exchange of information and live interaction with the characteristics of a traditionally oral communication, but mediated by a virtual space. mediated by a virtual space.

How is it different from asynchronous communication?

The counterpoint to this synchronous communication is determined by asynchronous communication. Literally, the definition of asynchronous communication refers to the process of information exchange in which people do not share or coincide in the time factor.

This means that, unlike synchronous communication, in asynchronous communication people do not share information simultaneously or in the same space of time.

A traditional example of asynchronous communication is the letter or snail mail.. However, given that we are in a context of virtual communication, the greatest example of this type of information exchange that exists today is that of e-mail.

What are its applications?

In addition to the applications of synchronous communication in people's daily lives, thanks to which it is possible to contact anyone in real time, this form of communication can be really useful in educational and even work contexts.

Thanks to virtual communication platforms, students, teachers and co-workers can communicate and collaborate synchronously (or asynchronously) without time and space limitations.

Through the use of Internet networks, virtual platforms, tools or applications, the exchange of ideas and information is facilitated. the exchange of ideas and information is facilitated. This, if well used, can mean an advance in the way of learning and working.

Main technological tools

In order to carry out a synchronous communication process, a series of tools are required to enable real-time communication. For this, the interlocutors must, in addition to possessing the tool itself and the technological support, be connected at the same timeregardless of the distance that separates them.

For this purpose, there are three main tools through which synchronous communication can be established. These are: instant messaging, chat and video-call or audio-call.

1. Instant messaging

This is one of the first forms of real-time communication between people based on text. Through the use of devices connected to an internet network, it allows instant communication between two or more people through a written language.

In addition, with the latest advances and updates, this system also allows communication through voice messages and the exchange of images, documents, links and audiovisual information. the exchange of images, documents, links and audiovisual information..

2. Chat

The appearance of chat rooms within different virtual platforms has brought about a revolution in the dynamics of communication between people. These live virtual communication spaces are a meeting space between two or more people to share all kinds of information.

Over the years, these spaces have become more specialized and, nowadays, we can find chat rooms or communication platforms of this type organized thematically and allowing the exchange of specific information.

3. Video and audio calls

In addition to traditional audio calls, video-calls or video-conferences enable two-way live communication, with the characteristics of an oral communication or conversation, since it includes visual and auditory informationand without the restrictions that distance implies.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Although this type of communication has great advantages, hence the extent of its popularity, its misuse can lead to a number of disadvantages. Among the advantages and disadvantages of synchronous communication we find:

1. Advantages

The main advantages are the following.

• It allows us to generate communication or dialogue with other people, regardless of their location. regardless of the place where they are located.This enables instant communication at an international level.
• It makes possible the conservation of the interaction archive.
• It enables the storage of visual or auditory information exchanged.
• Enables Team work without people having to meet in the same place..
• It provides a meeting place and facilitates interaction between people with the same interests.

2. Disadvantages

Among the disadvantages associated with synchronous communication.

• In the case of written communication, the lack of context or the impossibility of perceiving the other person's tone can lead to misunderstandings or confusion.
• The lack of rules of interaction or the lack of consideration can lead to saturation of the person. The person may feel obliged to answer at all times.
• Requires constant updating as technologies advance
• May generate dependency and need to keep in touch with others.