“Synchronous” (i.e., occurring in real time, occurring at the same time) delivery outside of the actual classroom is a relatively new delivery method. In its conception stages, synchronous delivery of education was used to hold Classroom Lectures in one classroom (where the instructor was located), while broadcasting the lecture to students located in a satellite classroom. The immediate benefit was obvious—students taking classes at a satellite campus were able to take courses offered only at the main campus without having the burden of commuting to the main campus just to take that one course.
Today, with the vast development in both software and hardware, synchronous learning delivery includes online interaction in the form of “live” Chat Rooms, Instant Messaging, and global synchronous broadcasting of Classroom Lectures.
ALEC provides delivery systems that incorporate the best of both “asynchronous” and “synchronous” delivery methods. Whether the education provider needs a standard asynchronous delivery system, which includes lecture materials (e.g., PowerPoint presentations, text-laden web pages, et cetera), or an advanced delivery system incorporating both asynchronous and synchronous delivery methods (e.g., online audio, video streaming, reading assignments, study guides, daily/weekly running commentaries, online research. Live chat rooms, threaded discussions, email, videoconferencing, et cetera),ALEC can design, implement, and manage the system.