What’s next for social TV? Enabling couch surfers to join reality TV shows! You already see correspondents joining news shows one at a time via web cameras. Soon you’ll see groups of viewers coming onto TV shows to create an unprecedented level of interactivity – and forever blurring the lines between television and social media. Another trend in social TV is finding a way for show producers to sell ad space in the Internet communities they’re building. Too often the viewership is talking about their shows on other platforms, whether it’s Twitter, Facebook or streaming sites. Producers are finally finding easy ways to own their content, own their audience and monetize it – easy ways like Watchitoo.

So exactly how is this all going to go down? Our Andrew Goletka, vice president of corporate development, has been on the speaking circuit painting the picture of the future.

Andrew was on two panels in our home city of New York last month. Andrew discussed alongside other industry leaders how online, and more often original, video content is spearheading the second screen evolution; and how this trend will help build brand awareness, viewership and ultimately revenue.

First up was the The Social TV Summit where Goletka joined Moderator Jack Myers, CEO of Jack Myers Media Business Report, and fellow panelists from Nobox, WiOffer, Echo and wywy to talk about revenue opportunities around social TV. The session was titled, “Social TV…..Ratings, Revenue, Engagement, Revenue, Social Commerce, Revenue, Viewers, Revenue, Brands ROI, Revenue……Did We Forget to Say Revenue?”

The Future of Television panel session addressed “Creating Original Video Content for Multiple Platforms.” Watchitoo’s Andrew Goletka, Moderator Paul Kontonis, chairman of the International Academy of Web Television, and other industry executives from SAG-AFTRA, SMOSH, Discovery Communications and Microsoft Corp. took part in this discussion that covered the creation of engaging second screen opportunities to support traditional television content.

During both sessions, Andrew was able to draw on his experience at Watchitoo, driving the company’s Social TV initiatives that focus on promotional solutions, pre/post show discussions and original programs designed for digital distribution. Goletka also highlighted collaborations with producers and networks, including Viacom, NBC-Universal and Turner Broadcasting, to demonstrate successful Social TV campaigns.

What do educators look for in providing the most effective e-learning experience possible?

In the big picture, there are two choices: If your paramount concern is flexibility of schedule, you will want asynchronous learning. This amounts to an online environment where students can learn and work by a schedule most convenient for them. They download reading, assignments and maybe recorded lectures, and upload their homework. Their interaction with their classmates consists mainly of threaded discussions. Students post comments as their schedule permits.

If, however, you’re looking to provide a more engaging learning environment where students feel a deeper connection to their classmates and professors, who will respond to questions and comments immediately, and where students come as close as they can to being in a traditional classroom without warming a seat, synchronous learning is the choice.

We at Watchitoo are making a significant contribution to the latter with a Web-based virtual classroom platform that enables up to 25 participants (more than other group conferencing platforms) to talk to one another and see one another’s faces simultaneously – all while sharing multimedia classroom content.

Preparing for interactions in the real world

Synchronous learning has distinct advantages, according to one study of graduate student e-learners, “Examining Interactivity in Synchronous Virtual Classrooms”: “The importance of students’ ability to receive immediate feedback and their experience as presenters was highlighted across the various kinds of interaction. The instructor’s teaching style and visual presence were instrumental in engaging students with the content. The results suggest that student interaction, and hence learning, was aided by the live communication that occurred through the virtual classroom.”

If education is largely a preparation for the real world, we think it’s important for students to interact with classmates and teachers in real time. This way, students become comfortable working with sophisticated knowledge in the team (classroom) context under the guidance of a project leader (like a professor). In the real world, you need to contribute as part of a team to be useful. It’s doesn’t matter whether you’re the smartest person on the payroll.

Synchronous learning may also help bring introverts out of their shells. “I have taught Internet courses for over a decade now,” said Ed Lyell, a professor at Adams State College. “My interaction with students is often much more involved and significant with the online students than with the classroom students who avoid interaction.”

We also think face-to-face learning motivates. It takes an unusual level of dedication and stamina – sheer will power – to learn in a fully asynchronous environment, plugging away in solitude with a static Web page as your only companion. Yet if you’re bandying about a hot topic in civics with a class of 20 or 25, it’s much easier to engage with the material and truly learn. Classmates’ views, uttered spontaneously, help you refine your own. They set your thinking straight. You learn to have a civil discussion, work out disagreements, find common ground, and work toward common goals.

Many institutions are combining asynchronous and synchronous learning in hybrid classes. Students spend a portion of their time working asynchronously, then occasionally come together to discuss and debate in real time. This format can include a video lecture to kick off the week.

Whatever the form, the possibilities for synchronous learning are intriguing. We’re committed to helping higher education institutions expand them.