What is AsynchronousLearning?What is AsynchronousLearning?
Asynchronous learning is a student-centeredteaching method that uses online resources tofacilitate information sharing outside the constraintsof time and place among a network of people.Asynchronous learning is based on constructivisttheory which is a student-centered approach thatemphasizes the importance of peer-to-peerinteraction.Asynchronous learning is a student-centeredteaching method that uses online resources tofacilitate information sharing outside the constraintsof time and place among a network of people.Asynchronous learning is based on constructivisttheory which is a student-centered approach thatemphasizes the importance of peer-to-peerinteraction.
This approach combines self-study withasynchronous interactions to promote learning, andit can be used to facilitate learning in traditional on-campus education, distance education, andcontinuing education. This combined network oflearners and the electronic network in which theycommunicate are referred to as an asynchronouslearning network. (wikipedia.org)This approach combines self-study withasynchronous interactions to promote learning, andit can be used to facilitate learning in traditional on-campus education, distance education, andcontinuing education. This combined network oflearners and the electronic network in which theycommunicate are referred to as an asynchronouslearning network. (wikipedia.org)
Systems of ManagementSystems of Management
The online learning resources used to supportasynchronous learning include email, electronicmailing lists, threaded conferencing systems, andonline discussion boards, wikis, and blogs. CourseManagement systems such as Blackboard, WebCT,Moodle, and Sakai, have been developed to supportonline interaction, allowing users to organizediscussions, post and reply to messages, andupload and access multimedia. Theseasynchronous forms of communication aresometimes supplemented to include text and voicechat, videoconferencing and meetings in virtualspaces such as Second Life, where discussions canbe facilitated among groups of students.The online learning resources used to supportasynchronous learning include email, electronicmailing lists, threaded conferencing systems, andonline discussion boards, wikis, and blogs. CourseManagement systems such as Blackboard, WebCT,Moodle, and Sakai, have been developed to supportonline interaction, allowing users to organizediscussions, post and reply to messages, andupload and access multimedia. Theseasynchronous forms of communication aresometimes supplemented to include text and voicechat, videoconferencing and meetings in virtualspaces such as Second Life, where discussions canbe facilitated among groups of students.
Strengths of AsynchronousLearningStrengths of AsynchronousLearning
Freedom as it provides access to the courseand its instructional materials at anytime,and any location with an internet connection.Freedom as it provides access to the courseand its instructional materials at anytime,and any location with an internet connection.
Provides a high degree of interactivitybetween participants who are separatedgeographically.Provides a high degree of interactivitybetween participants who are separatedgeographically.
Offers many of the benefits of face-to-faceinteraction.Offers many of the benefits of face-to-faceinteraction.
Also records everything that occurs in theenvironment. All materials can beelectronically archived.Also records everything that occurs in theenvironment. All materials can beelectronically archived.
Allows time for reflection and reaction toothersAllows time for reflection and reaction toothers
Allows students to work at theirown pace.Allows students to work at theirown pace.
Allows students control of thepace of instructional informationAllows students control of thepace of instructional information
Fewer time restrictions, flexiblehours.Fewer time restrictions, flexiblehours.
Students can submit questionsto instructors at any time of dayStudents can submit questionsto instructors at any time of day
Weaknesses of AsynchronousLearningWeaknesses of AsynchronousLearning
Costly initial setup for infrastructure,servers, audiovisual equipment,software, and technical support,training, user management, datastorage, and recovery, possiblerepairs, updates, and maintenance. Costly initial setup for infrastructure,servers, audiovisual equipment,software, and technical support,training, user management, datastorage, and recovery, possiblerepairs, updates, and maintenance.
Students must havecomputer/technology and skillsrequired to participate inasynchronous learning environment.Students must havecomputer/technology and skillsrequired to participate inasynchronous learning environment.
Student may feel isolated.Student may feel isolated.
What is SynchronousLearning?What is SynchronousLearning?
Synchronous Learning refers to a group ofpeople learning the same things at thesame time in the same place. Synchronous Learning refers to a group ofpeople learning the same things at thesame time in the same place.
This is the type of pedagogy practiced inschools and undergraduate programs.Lectures are an example of synchronouslearning.This is the type of pedagogy practiced inschools and undergraduate programs.Lectures are an example of synchronouslearning.
Eluminate is a synchronous forum used foronline discussions used in both academicand corporate forums.Eluminate is a synchronous forum used foronline discussions used in both academicand corporate forums.
Audio symposiums are a type ofsynchronous learning.Audio symposiums are a type ofsynchronous learning.
Strengths of SynchronousLearningStrengths of SynchronousLearning
Group meetings and/or activitiesrequiring group consensus orsimultaneous response.Group meetings and/or activitiesrequiring group consensus orsimultaneous response.
Fast and efficient exchange of ideas.Fast and efficient exchange of ideas.
Useful for brainstorming orreplicating face-to-face situations.Useful for brainstorming orreplicating face-to-face situations.
Successful in small group settingsSuccessful in small group settings
Instruction is not self-pacedInstruction is not self-paced
Does not allow for flexibility, anytime, any place instruction.Does not allow for flexibility, anytime, any place instruction.
Time zones and scheduling maypose a problem.Time zones and scheduling maypose a problem.
Student availabilityStudent availability
Need for constantmonitoring/management duringinstruction.Need for constantmonitoring/management duringinstruction.
Large classes areunmanageable for instructors.Large classes areunmanageable for instructors.
Scheduling of students in thechat room at the same time is aproblem.Scheduling of students in thechat room at the same time is aproblem.
Very slow response due totyping or audio problems.Very slow response due totyping or audio problems.
Conclusion – which is best ?Conclusion – which is best ?
Central to making the bestpossible choice of eitherAsynchronous or SynchronousLearning is which offers thebetter quality of learning, or asmany say, “the best bang foryour buck!”Central to making the bestpossible choice of eitherAsynchronous or SynchronousLearning is which offers thebetter quality of learning, or asmany say, “the best bang foryour buck!”
Asynchronous – why?Asynchronous – why?
The faculty in articlesresearched were of the generalconsensus that AsynchronousLearning missed the mark whenit came to strengthening groupproblem-solving skills, verbalskills, and oral presentationabilities.The faculty in articlesresearched were of the generalconsensus that AsynchronousLearning missed the mark whenit came to strengthening groupproblem-solving skills, verbalskills, and oral presentationabilities.
But, felt that web-based coursesdid a better job of givingstudents access to information,helping them master the subject,and also at addressing a varietyof learning styles than didSynchronous Learning.But, felt that web-based coursesdid a better job of givingstudents access to information,helping them master the subject,and also at addressing a varietyof learning styles than didSynchronous Learning.
Strengths vs. WeaknessesStrengths vs. Weaknesses
Of the two learningenvironments, AsynchronousLearning had fewerweaknesses, and provided moreflexibility than did theSynchronous Learningenvironment.Of the two learningenvironments, AsynchronousLearning had fewerweaknesses, and provided moreflexibility than did theSynchronous Learningenvironment.
References References
Center for Learning and Professional Development: type ofonline learning. Retrieved October 10th, 2009 from:http://www.adelaide.edu/au/clpdonline/designing/typesonlrng/Center for Learning and Professional Development: type ofonline learning. Retrieved October 10th, 2009 from:http://www.adelaide.edu/au/clpdonline/designing/typesonlrng/
EDUCAUSE/American Council on Education:Diana Oblinger,Author. Distributed education and its challenges: Anoverview. Retrieved October 5th 2009 fromhttp://www.educause.edu/Resources/DistributedEducationandItsChal/160431EDUCAUSE/American Council on Education:Diana Oblinger,Author. Distributed education and its challenges: Anoverview. Retrieved October 5th 2009 fromhttp://www.educause.edu/Resources/DistributedEducationandItsChal/160431
Google Images: retrieved October 10th, 2009 from:http://www.google.com/imagesGoogle Images: retrieved October 10th, 2009 from:http://www.google.com/images
T.H.E. Journal: Promoting Synchronous Interaction in aneLearning Environment. Retrieved October 5th, 2009 fromhttp://thejournal.com/Articles/2005/09/01/Promoting-Synchronous-Interaction-in-an-elearning-environment.aspx?sc_lang=enT.H.E. Journal: Promoting Synchronous Interaction in aneLearning Environment. Retrieved October 5th, 2009 fromhttp://thejournal.com/Articles/2005/09/01/Promoting-Synchronous-Interaction-in-an-elearning-environment.aspx?sc_lang=en
Wikipedia. Asynchronous Learning. Retrieved October 10th2009 from http://www.wikipedia.orgWikipedia. Asynchronous Learning. Retrieved October 10th2009 from http://www.wikipedia.org