Chat dialogues can be saved for future reference. Participants who are shy and reserved are more likely to interact when text chat options are available. This feature allows the instructor to share applications with participants over the synchronous application. There are many varieties of this capability - ranging from viewing only on the client side to the ability of learners to upload and share applications. Common to all synchronous applications, content windows are used by instructors to display content in HTML, PowerPoint, or other Web-ready media.
Some products limit the types of file formats that can be displayed via content windows.
The exception is the use of streaming media in one-way video configurations, which can be fed to participants on connections as slow as 56 Kbps. Record and Playback. This feature benefits individuals who miss sessions and allows quick creation of asynchronous training content. This feature, available in a small number of synchronous products, allows individual students or small groups to share information within a larger synchronous session. It is ideal for training sessions in which separate teams or groups can share specific content.