Communicate 4.3.1 The Synchronous Session Quest

     It is easy for students to become quite isolated in an online classroom environment and bringing the class together for synchronous sessions helps to lesson this issue because it gives the students the opportunity to voice opinions, talk to each other, talk to the teacher, ask impulsive questions or questions that may be initiated during a synchronous lesson.  Students who do not have the audio can still chat online with their teacher and fellow students and it feels like they have actually come together and been part of something.  Many students are on an online class because they like the flexibility of the work as long as structure is there and they can depend on this structure.  Synchronous sessions help students come together to sort out problems and engage in deeper discussions, class debates, fishbowls...(something the online student would not get without this application), and brainstorming sessions.  
     The interaction between student-to-student and student-to-teacher is increased and we now have discussions that are spontaneous and engaging.  It offers students the opportunity to collaborate on projects, no matter where they are located.

Reference
 http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-articles/interactive-web-conferencing-brings-big-benefits-to-the-online-classroom/#sthash.nRXOh0J6.dpuf