Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Synchronous Tools Facilitate Real-Time Interaction

  • 09/01/01
HorizonLive now offers synchronous tools to eCollege's clients so they can interact with students online in real-time. The tools facilitate highly interactive live classroom sessions, while allowing for the flexibility afforded by the online classroom. The two companies will offer each other's e-learning tools to educators, empowering them to take full advantage of both synchronous and asynchronous learning applications.

The arrangement gives eCollege's clients the option of incorporating HorizonLive's synchronous tools into their existing classes to communicate live with students via two-way audio and real-time chat as they show still or video images, visual content such as PowerPoint, Web pages and Flash. Instructors may also demonstrate live desktop applications, illustrate concepts using a virtual whiteboard and share certain controls with students to encourage live participation.

HorizonLive enables immediate feedback from students through live audio and chat, virtual hand-raising and instant polling. It also offers a feature that enables the instructor to ask multiple-choice, short-answer and essay questions. In addition, the tools support an archive function whereby every aspect of a live class can be recorded for later playback, making the archives an excellent method of study and review. Instructors only need a standard Web browser, microphone and sound card to lead a class; while students only need an Internet connection and sound card to participate. eCollege, Denver, CO, (888) 884-7325, www.eCollege.com.

HorizonLive now offers synchronous tools to eCollege's clients so they can interact with students online in real-time. The tools facilitate highly interactive live classroom sessions, while allowing for the flexibility afforded by the online classroom. The two companies will offer each other's e-learning tools to educators, empowering them to take full advantage of both synchronous and asynchronous learning applications.

The arrangement gives eCollege's clients the option of incorporating HorizonLive's synchronous tools into their existing classes to communicate live with students via two-way audio and real-time chat as they show still or video images, visual content such as PowerPoint, Web pages and Flash. Instructors may also demonstrate live desktop applications, illustrate concepts using a virtual whiteboard and share certain controls with students to encourage live participation.

HorizonLive enables immediate feedback from students through live audio and chat, virtual hand-raising and instant polling. It also offers a feature that enables the instructor to ask multiple-choice, short-answer and essay questions. In addition, the tools support an archive function whereby every aspect of a live class can be recorded for later playback, making the archives an excellent method of study and review. Instructors only need a standard Web browser, microphone and sound card to lead a class; while students only need an Internet connection and sound card to participate. eCollege, Denver, CO, (888) 884-7325, www.eCollege.com.

Featured

  • glowing circuit patterns

    Call for Speakers Now Open for Tech Tactics in Education Fall 2026

    The virtual conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal will return on Sept. 23, 2026, with a focus on emerging trends in with a focus on emerging trends in AI, cybersecurity, and more.

  • Digital cyberspace with particles and Digital data

    Survey: AI Is Moving Faster than Data Trust

    AI agents are already in use or pilot at most organizations, but data visibility, governance and precision recovery capabilities have not kept pace, according to a new survey from Veeam Software.

  • circuit patterns

    Anthropic Intros Lower-Cost Claude Sonnet 5

    Anthropic has launched Claude Sonnet 5, positioning the model as its most autonomous mid-tier offering to date and a lower-cost alternative to its flagship Opus 4.8 system. The company said the model can plan multi-step tasks, operate tools such as browsers and terminals, and complete agentic work at a level that previously required larger and more expensive models.

  • blue wooden cubes block texture abstract background

    Gartner: Worldwide IT Spending Estimated at $6.31T for 2026

    According to a Gartner forecast, worldwide IT spending will total $6.31 trillion in 2026, a 13.5% increase from 2025. Sectors experiencing the largest growth include data center systems, software, and IT services.