There are many options available for synchronous learning in the digital classroom. Usually these software packages fit into one of two categories: commercial software or open source software. Commercial software packages can be costly and may require some training (but this is usually standard with any new software). On the other hand, there are also many advantages. Commercial software packages such as Adobe Connect, Blackboard Collaborate, and GoTo Meeting all include free trials. In addition, most commercial software packages can be easily accessed and downloaded. These software packages usually bring with them a sense of familiarity since they are widely used among many industries, businesses, and institutions. This also cuts down on the need for additional training. I must also mention that some commercial software packages, such as Google Hangouts, are free. While these packages might not be as extensive as some of the more costly ones, they are still very powerful tools for communicating and learning.
In some cases, open source software might be the best choice for online learning. These software packages are very cheap and/or free. They are usually customized to the industry and/or school and come with demos or links to help users to get started. BigBlueButton is one example of this. The weaknesses of open source are you need to have a technical consultation or an in-house IT department to install the software and help you get started with using it. Also, users will usually require some training before they can get started.
I have researched and tried to use all of the software programs listed in this blog post. Personally, I thought I would enjoy using the open source software packages simply because they are free. I quickly learned that was not the case. For me, the extra steps of needing an IT specialist to help me get started and then taking the time to learn how to use the programs, was not worth it to me. I found the commercial programs much easier to get started with and use. In the future, if I need to use a program for synchronous learning, I believe I will probably go with a commercial product.
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