It is important to compare and contrast the synchronous and asynchronous teaching methods, and decide the most appropriate teaching method of the online environment. Both synchronous and asynchronous learning methods have advantages. Synchronous learning usually involves students' participation and may enhance learners' motivation. Asynchronous learning network aims to provide students with the ultimate anytime, anywhere learning environment. Whether using synchronous or asynchronous methods, teachers must develop guidelines.
Whether you are teaching synchronous or asynchronous there still needs to be organization and effective communication to facilitate the students learning and for a smooth flow of the class room. Also just becasue the class is asynchronous , the instructor still must provide student engagement and can sometimes be a challenge. So there are both advantages and disadvantages to both.
make sure to have information available and consistent interction
Synchronous happens at the same time where as asychronus learning doesnt happen at the same time. With online learning we tend to use synchronous more. I plan to try to use both depending on the learnign material and the individual.
I think both methods are good.
CTC
Both methods are useful. For me to learn, I have to be comfortable with the method and feel that I can navigate through the lesson.
It is important to determine what type of online teaching must be used to adequately teach students in an online environment. It is very important that for both asynchronous and synchronous learning, there should be consistency and instructions are given to students regarding submission of projects/assignments and establish an FAQ portion in the LMS being used.
I learned the differences between synchronous and asynchronous learning and instruction. Advantages and disadvantages were outlined. The pattern of teaching was discussed with an emphasis upon consistency and helping students learn not only where the centralized area is to learn in, but how/when to access it, is it functioning properly? Students can also help each other and earn extra credit by utilizing discussion boards.
Organization is thekey regardless ofwhether the course is offered synchronous or asynchronous. It would seem that a effective course would use a hybrid to allow for students some control and have the benefit of the instructor to help motivate and assure progress.
Both asynchronous and synchronous courses require good course organization.
individual learning procceses are still best to be tailored and online can offer many options to expoor on many fronts
I have taken both types of classes and there are pros and cons to each. For the math courses I teach using a VC is the best. This way we can do examples together and talk things through. I have the blessing of my students all being from the same area so the timing is not an issue.
Establishing clear and succinct information and directions for students is key in student success.
I learned that a pattern of teaching basically characterizes how an instructor provides information to students and how their virtual classroom practice becomes obvious as it is repeated consistently.
Make it clear to students the method of teaching that will be provided. Make sure that the method is realistic.
I am still finding it hard to become comfortable with synchronous and asynchronous teaching. I haven't figured out how to add the questions for a discussion board so students can see and respond. I know this is important to various learning styles.
Organization of material and effective communication is vital to ensuring an enriched learning environment. Although presenting challenges seem increasingly difficult to address diverse learning styles however, earnest efforts have been made to factor all educational variables.
I found out about async versus sync and how to determine what is best for the course/students. Overall, the information must be organized for students and staff.
I could not agree more about the importance of setting rules and regulations around office hours and expectations of instructor response time. In the asynchronous format, students all too often also assume the instructor is available 24/7. The biggest takeaways are the importance of organization, consistency, and communication for teaching and learning effectiveness in both synchronous and asynchronous modalities.
Reply to Gulsebnem Bishop's post:
Ditto this! Without communication with students and seeing how they are doing, we won't improve as instructuors.
