#synchronous learning

Synchronous

Synchronous learning is when students learn at the same time. A lecture is the most common form of synchronous learning. Grade schools call this direct instruction, and or modeling. Technology has changed synchronous learning in many ways. The benefit of synchronous learning online is that live web streams and instant messaging have allowed online students to experience synchronous learning and make better connections with their teachers and peers through live group discussion (Nicholson, 2002). Now, a teacher can use YouTube live, Facebook live, WebEx, Blackboard and many other video conferencing tools to take advantage of synchronous learning. The downside of synchronous meetings is the need to get everyone on the same schedule.

Asynchronous

Asynchronous learning is learning at one's own pace. Asynchronous learning is as old as synchronous learning, with teachers sending material via mail a hundred years ago (Mayadas, 1997). Writing and shipping curriculum materials, tests, books, and letters to students were traditional methods for asynchronous learning in the past. Many schools still use the curriculum shipping method today. However, technology has taken over in the asynchronous learning field. Teachers can easily share information via email, online forums, blogs, conferencing systems, and course management systems like Blackboard and Moodle. The benefit of asynchronous learning is that teachers do not have to rely on ink and paper anymore but can add infographics, videos, slideshows, and interactive tests into the mix. The downside of asynchronous learning is that students and teachers rarely have an opportunity to connect truly with each other.

Face-to-face learning

Face-to-face learning is the classic model that schools have used for millennia. Face-to-face learning is only as effective as the teacher and the school. The most efficient method of face-to-face learning is one-on-one, because the student gets an individualized education, can ask questions, get immediate clarification, and the teacher can make changes to the curriculum as needed. Unfortunately, most face-to-face learning environments have between 15 and 30 students per class. It is nigh impossible for a single teacher to cater to five students efficiently, much less a dozen or two dozen. The face-to-face model is slowly going away with the advent of more learning technology and applications.

Blended Learning

It is likely that some form of blended learning--where student's view lectures on their time and at their pace and complete projects at school--will be the norm in the next fifteen years. Blended learning will allow schools to operate in much the same way. Students arrive and leave at a set time. However, learning will drastically change as projects and experiments become the norm for the school day, versus lectures and worksheets.

References

Mayadas, F. (1997). Asynchronous learning networks: A sloan foundation perspective. JALN 1(1). 1-16.