Synchronous and Asynchronous Tools
There are two modes of interaction and communication in online learning, or two modes of delivering eLearning: synchronous and asynchronous. Which is better? The short answer is "It depends."
Whatever works best for the course, the students and the instructor is what should be used. Keep in mind that there is no rule stating that your online courses need to consist of one mode or the other exclusively. Blended learning or the "flipped classroom" model make heavy use of asynchronous online coursework combined with synchronous in-classroom time. Some instructors and students find this to be the best model for delivery of instruction. However, the skillful online teacher can develop content and strategies that work just as well in fully online courses as well as in the hybrid models.
| Synchronous e-learning involves geographically dispersed students accessing the same web site at the same time as an instructor. This type of learning is commonly supported by internet communications media such as videoconferencing and chat. The instructor typically "drives" a slideshow presentation, which the students watch while connected to a conference web site. Students can ask questions or provide comments through the phone line, or through a chat window. In other words, participants communicate at the same time, from different locations using the same communication tool. |
Asynchronous e-learning, is a just-in-time, on-demand student learning experience. It is commonly facilitated by internet communications media such as e-mail and discussion boards. Students do not need to schedule their time around the predetermined plan of the instructor. There is complete flexibility with asynchronous training, which comes in two forms, facilitated and self-paced. Asynchronous e-learning makes it possible for learners to log on to an e-learning environment at any time and download documents or send messages to teachers or peers. In other words, participants communicate at different times from different places using the same communication tool. |
There are a variety of tools available to support either mode, and the two charts below summarize them fairly well.
Synchronous Tools
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Synchronous tools enable real-time communication and collaboration in a "same time-different place" mode. These tools allow people to connect at a single point in time, at the same time. Synchronous tools possess the advantage of being able to engage people instantly and at the same point in time. The primary drawback of synchronous tools is that, by definition, they require same-time participation -different time zones and conflicting schedules can create communication challenges. In addition, they tend to be costly and may require significant bandwidth to be efficient. |
| Tool | Engages students in | Tools that Villanova supports |
| Audio conferencing | Discussions and dialogue | Skype for Business Links to an external site. |
| Web conferencing/Video conferencing | Sharing presentations and information. In-depth discussions with higher-touch interactions | Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Links to an external site. and Zoom Links to an external site. |
| Chat/Instant messaging | Information sharing of low-complexity issues/Ad hoc quick communications | Skype, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, and Zoom |
| White boarding | Co-development of ideas | Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, and Zoom |
| Application sharing | Co-development of documents | Skype, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, and Zoom |
Asynchronous Tools
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Asynchronous tools enable communication and collaboration over a period of time through a "different time-different place" mode. These tools allow people to connect together at each person's own convenience and own schedule. Asynchronous tools are useful for sustaining dialogue and collaboration over a period of time and providing people with resources and information that are instantly accessible, day or night. Asynchronous tools possess the advantage of being able to involve people from multiple time zones. In addition, asynchronous tools are helpful in capturing the history of the interactions of a group, allowing for collective knowledge to be more easily shared and distributed. The primary drawback of asynchronous technologies is that they require some discipline to use when used for ongoing communities of practice (e.g., people typically must take the initiative to "log in" to participate) and they may feel "impersonal" to those who prefer higher-touch synchronous technologies. |
| Tool | Engages students in | Tools that Villanova supports |
| Discussion boards | Dialogue that takes place over a period of time | Blackboard Discussion Boards Links to an external site. |
| Web logs (Blogs) | Sharing ideas and comments | Blogs Links to an external site., Journals Links to an external site. |
| Messaging (e-mail) | One-to-one or one-to-many communications | Blackboard |
| Streaming audio/Streaming video | Communicating or teaching | Mediasite Links to an external site., Video Production Services Links to an external site. |
| Social Media | Communicating or teaching | VoiceThead Links to an external site., Yellowdig Links to an external site., |
| Surveys and polls | Capturing information and trends | Blackboard Surveys and Pools, Microsoft Forms |
| Web site links | Providing resources and references | Blackboard |
A significant step beyond this smorgasbord of individual tools are web-based platforms such as our Blackboard learning management system that can become the single portal for all course activities. Below are some thoughts that might guide your decisions as you consider the tools you might use to help create more presence in your online course:
- Most students enroll in online courses because they either can't or don't want to have to commit to being somewhere at a specified time. This makes asynchronous solutions more accessible to a larger body of students.
- Regardless of whether you choose synchronous, asynchronous or a combination of both, it is the quality of the materials, instruction, interactions and activities that create effective learning.
- Using an LMS and the tools included mean that students have to learn only one technology instead of many, and they navigate to one location to accomplish all of their work. This has serious pedagogical and accessibility advantages.
- Asynchronous tools are a huge work-saver for faculty - build it once, and use it many times.
- Asynchronous tools can foster higher level thinking in interactions by providing both faculty and students time to think before interacting.
- Asynchronous tools typically provide better tools for recording and measuring participation by individuals.
Whichever route you go, the goal must still be a strong presence in your online course. Holding a synchronous "office hour" or live lecture once a week is not a substitute for an almost continuous presence in an online classroom. Just as the dependence on asynchronous tools to enable you to be an absent professor is not really teaching.
Whether you rely on synchronous, asynchronous or a combination of communication approaches in an online course, the most important thing you can do is communicate - communicate clearly, effectively and frequently. Remember, it is not about the technology, it's about the teaching!
Adapted from Source: https://pierce.instructure.com/courses/983325/pages/synchronous-vs-asynchronous?module_item_id=12922163 Links to an external site.