Filed under: Uncategorized
Edelweiss Chan 10606717
Word Count: 1198
Technology: WebEx Communications
Case Study: Siemens AG
E-learning Assignment ONE Part A: Synchronous Communication
Introduction
Communication is a vital attribute to successful learning. The development of synchronous Communication is especially fundamental because of growing globalism. It is the exchange of information after the sender and the receiver are synchronized in time and with growing technology, learners are able to do this via a number of e-learning sources such as chat rooms, instant messaging, or online audio/visual conferences. Different groups of individuals in the current technology built society are being taught and trained from various parts of the world due to geographic distributions. Synchronous communication clears the barrier for learners having to physically travel across the globe to attend seminars, training programs, or multinational business conferences because programs such as WebEx, Skype or Elluminate provide educational facilities to compliment various learning needs.
Synchronous Communication and WebEx
Taking a well known software program as an assessment, WebEx will outline the benefits and costs of synchronous communication. WebEx features online web meetings where users are able to present information, share applications, and collaborate with colleagues, teachers, trainers, or group members anywhere across the globe where there is accessible internet. The software allows users to; integrate toll-free audio conferencing while presenting products and services, deliver interactive training and e-learning with live online classrooms, decrease technical support costs while having unattended remote support, and unproblematic connection with anyone in the world.
WebEx is dissimilar to other video conferencing tools that organizations use because the cost of the software includes any technical support which guarantees effective, profitable and productive results. Differing from common video conferencing, which often leads to people focusing too much on their physical appearance; WebEx highlights the broad range of spontaneity and interactivity of confidential face-to-face meetings. WebEx meetings can also be specifically recorded for future references. This demolishes the cost of having scribes at meetings, or miscommunications between business partners, or teachers and learners. “Live online learning is helping companies transform their training programs into efficient, strategic assets,” quotes Walt Weisner, the vice president of global support services at WebEx. (WebEx, 2008) Synchronous communication begins with the connection of different parties in different locations and WebEx has the ability to do this above its many applications, which in the past, were only applicable when learners travel over oceans.
Context of Learners and where Learning is situated
Learning does not only exist within classrooms. It takes place amongst employees, students, trainees, or individuals looking to have a wider experience. The frequent users of WebEx are; students studying subject matters presented in other countries, employees gaining knowledge from colleagues in other countries, companies sharing information with stakeholders and organizations which provide training. WebEx provides efficiency for Individuals, small, medium and large organizations however often smaller organizations and individuals would make use of more informal synchronous communication materials for learning.
Examining Siemens Energy & Automation, a subsidiary of engineering conglomerate Siemens AG, the company makes use of WebEx to connect its employees, customers and partners to study product demonstrations, project management and internal communications amongst its 12,000 employees and 29 plants. WebEx assists Siemens Energy & Automation in improving communications, sales efficiency and product development productivity through the use of its highly interactive synchronous communication software (Siemens AG, 2001). The learning context of WebEx generally comprise of relatively formal situations where efficient dynamic activity is necessary. Encompassing extensive users, WebEx allocates learning through seminars, meetings, training activities, presentations, information sharing or audio and video conferences at almost anywhere in the world. The only requirement is having an internet connection which need not be questioned in most developed countries. In the past, learning globally often meant students, educators, or businessmen/women had to leave homes and countries to attend meetings; however the development of synchronous communication means leaving the home, office or country would not be an impact of globalism. “Synchronous learning expands the horizons of students by broadening the student population and ameliorating the barriers of geography.” (Haefner, 2000)
Benefits of Synchronous Communication, WebEx in this context
Besides immediate contact of learners and educators, synchronous communication is beneficiary to learning for a number of reasons.
Referring to increased globalism, WebEx is able to cater education and knowledge to a very large number of people who may be situated in different parts of the world. Demolishing the barriers of geographic distribution, learners from different cultures and learning backgrounds are able to contribute to seminars, business projects, training programs, or other activities without the need to spend a large amount of money on travel.
WebEx is timesaving. Synchronous communication not only saves the time of traveling, but it also saves time for waiting on responses which may have time lags. Many web based asynchronous communication conceals the social identity on an individual because the physical appearance, vocal tones and emotions are highly important first impressions when meeting someone. Having a synchronous interaction where voices are heard, or facial expressions are seen can create a more familiar and welcoming environment to education. Being actively involved in an event is a major component to motivational learning. When learners revisit presentations or guest speakers from the past, learning does not appear to be as motivating. WebEx creates the sense of being actively involved in an event for learners. (Weller, 2002) Siemens Energy & Automation was successful in “boosting productivity with innovative production and automation solutions”, (Siemens AG, 2001) because WebEx allowed their participating stakeholders of 12,000 employees internationally to be involved in the flexible and well applied online conferences.
Challenges and disadvantages of Synchronous Communication, WebEx
Contradicting the advantage of being able to communicate immediately with co-learners, WebEx means that participating members of meetings, seminars and conferences from across the globe will have to organize the same time for meetings to be conducted. The different time zones in the world restrict users to participate in meetings because where it may be daytime in one country, it may be midnight for another. Hence, in this situation learning would not be as effective.
Synchronous communication may be costly to organizations because of the technical support that these online education software may need. WebEx however, overcomes this because it provides companies with already supportive material. WebEx also overcomes a challenge of synchronous communication because it provides applications in its meetings that cater for both audio and visual aspects. Software such as online phone calls disadvantage hearing impaired users. WebEx successfully unites audio and visual applications for meetings so that there is face-to-face interaction without the need of traveling.
Conclusion
WebEx grants itself the top web conference provider in the world by showing off its extremely effective cost-saving software. It proves to be a useful resource to a range of industries especially for learners who necessitate efficiency in learning as technology continues to build the society. Individuals, educators or business organizations all take advantage of the effective learning environment that WebEx has provided for its users. Connecting learners from across the globe to distribute knowledge and skill is continuously being developed to maximize learning and training, decrease the costs of traveling, and on a business level, improving communication and productivity levels. There are positive and negative aspects to synchronous learning, however the combination of both WebEx and asynchronous communication tools give learners and trainers an effective learning environment.
References
Books
- Weller, M., 2002, Delivering Learning on the Net: The Why What & How of Online Education, Open and Distance Learning Series, Kogan Page Limited, London.
Websites
- Haefner, J., 2000, Opinion: The Importance of Being Synchronous, Academic Writing, Illinois, Viewed 24 March 2008, <http://wac.colostate.edu/aw/teaching/haefner2000.htm</span></span><span style=”FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU”>>
- Siemens AG, 2005, Siemens Uses WebEx Meeting Center Service to Connect Employees, Customers and Partners, Business Wire, San Jose, Viewed 24 March 2008, <http://www.allbusiness.com/electronics/computer-electronics-manufacturing-computer/6075203-1.html</span>>
- Smith, C., 2005, InSync Training and Learning Times to Offer Synchronous Training Professional Certification Program, WebEx Communications, Santa Clara, Viewed 23 March 2008, <http://www.webex.com/pr/pr339.html</span></span></span></span></span>
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