True or False: Synchronous online discussions are those that require participants to be online at the same time.

Synchronous online discussions indeed require participants to be online at the same time. This format allows for real-time interaction, where individuals can engage in instant communication, contributing and responding immediately. Such discussions can happen through various platforms, including chat rooms, video conferencing tools, or live forums, facilitating an environment where participants can react to one another in the moment.

The nature of a synchronous discussion contrasts with asynchronous discussions, where participants contribute at different times, allowing for a more flexible approach to communication, but without the immediacy of real-time interaction. This distinction is important in understanding how communication technologies shape learning and collaboration environments.