Lisa Mulka

Annotated SIG Links

Below you will find sources defining synchronous communication with an emphasis on shared whiteboard spaces (both textual and graphical tools) to increase communication and collaboration activities.

 Airamahi, Mohammad, and Kurt Gramoll. Proc. of Online Collaborative Drawing Board for Real-Time Student-Instructor Interaction and Lecture Creation, Salt Lake City. 2004.

This research presentation developed by two professors at the University of Oklahoma investigates the need for collaborative tools to assist instructors and students in increased communication.  LectureBoard, a tool utilizing both text and graphic collaborative online space, is examined, explained and assessed.

 Barron, Ann E., Shauna Schullo, Jeffrey D. Kromrey, Kristine Y. Hogarty, Melissa Venable, Amy Hilbelink, Cacilda Barros, Kathie Loggie, and Tina Hohlfield. Synchronous E-Learning: Analyzing Teaching Strategies. University of South Flordia.

This study examines the purpose of synchronous elearning tools as a supplement to existing strategies.  Elluminate Live! And Horizontal Live were explored by surveying both instructors and students use of the technologies.

 Hewett, Beth L. "Synchronous Online Conference-Based Instruction: A Study of Whiteboard Interactions and Student Writing." Computers and Composition 23 (2006): 1-31.

This article describes synchronous conference-based online writing instruction using an electronic whiteboard.  Language was analyzed from the whiteboard discussion to determine if linguistics were social or academic based in context. The article indicates the inclusion of the whiteboard generates a highly collaborative process.

 Hrastinski, Stefan. "Asynchronous and Synchronous E-Learning." Educause Quarterly 31 (2008).

This article provides sound definitions and examples of both asynchronous and synchronous E-Learning.  This is an excellent source to understand the basic definitions of the two communication possibilities and what types of technologies exist within each category.

 Imagination Cubed. 18 Apr. 2009 <http://imaginationcubed.com/>.

This website offers a free shared whiteboard for collaborative drawing.

 Keegan, Desmond, Eva Schwenke, Helmut Fritsch, Gearoid Kenny, Gabor Kismihok, Miklos Biro, Andras Gabor, Gearoid O'Suilleabhain, and Judy Nix. Virtual Classrooms in Education Provision: Synchronous ELearning Systems For European Institues. Hagen: Fern Univeristy, 2005.

Although this source targets European Institutes in particular, there is useful information that can be used to examine the United States approach to synchronous communication.  The book is divided into numerous chapters which tackle different issues of synchronous communication from pedagogical strategies to content design.  This source is another excellent tool in understanding the fundamental principles of synchronous communication.

 Muhlpfordt, Martin, and Gary Stahl. "The Integration of Synchronous Communication Across Dual Interaction Spaces." (2003).

This article examines duel-interaction spaces (or shared whiteboard spaces) that share text chat and graphical areas.  The study attempts to answer several important questions when using a shared online space.  These questions surround history features, social awareness and managing simultaneous activities.

 Shared whiteboard for online drawing, chat, file sharing and search. 18 Apr. 2009 <http://whiteboard.peeraware.com/>.

PeerAware lets you create a shared workspace for connecting online with friends and co workers. Once connected you can chat and work on the whiteboard. Any user can start a new session, and multiple users can join and contribute to the drawing in real-time.

 Skrbl: easy to share online whiteboard. 18 Apr. 2009 <http://www.skrbl.com/>.

Simple and easy online multi user whiteboard, start skrbl, give out your URL & start working together. Sketch, text, share files, upload pictures all in one common shared space. There are no new tools to learn, nothing to download, nothing to install. Brainstorm on our simple whiteboard to start thinking together, everyone sees the same screen, everybody gets on the same page

 "Synchronous e-Learning." E-Learning Consulting And SCORM Software. 18 Apr. 2009 <http://www.e-learningconsulting.com/consulting/what/synchronous.html#audiovideo>.

A website that houses very basic and easy-to-understand definitions of synchronous technologies including shared whiteboard.

 "Whiteboard Tools| University of Alaska Southeast." Welcome| University of Alaska Southeast. 18 Apr. 2009 <http://www.uas.alaska.edu/helpdesk/coursework/webmeeting/faculty/presenting/whiteboard.html>.

An example of how one higher education institution is using whiteboards in their educational setting.  This offers an example of one whiteboard tool that is currently being utilized in an education environment.

 "Whiteboards/Collaborative/Communication Tools - Web 2.0 in Education (UK)." Web 2.0 in Education (UK) Home - Web 2.0 in Education (UK). 18 Apr. 2009<http://web2educationuk.wetpaint.com/page/Whiteboards%2FCollaborative%2FCommunication+Tools?t=anon>.

A website explaining various tools used for communication and collaboration purposes such as shared workspaces and chat tools.