Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning: Drawbacks and Benefits

3/26/2013

Asynchronous and synchronous learning are both being used in the online learning environment. As both a student and a teacher of online learning I have seen that although both have many advantages, there are still a few drawbacks. A big advantage that I appreciate of asynchronous work is that you can complete the work on your own time within a given timeframe. Take this blog post for example, I am writing it while my daughter is
sleeping because this time of day is when I can get the most accomplished. Someone else writing the same blog post may choose to complete it on their lunch break at work because that is when they found the time that works for them. Synchronous work is great for connecting students and making them feel like they are part of the bigger group because they are able to converse in real time with each other.

As great as both are, there are still some drawbacks. As a mother of a newborn and a toddler, synchronous work is very hard for me, especially when the time that seems to work for everyone else is basically the worst timing for myself so I am forced to make arrangements so that my entire focus can be on the class or task at hand. As a teacher I have seen a few of my students stumble with the asynchronous aspect of schooling as they are not having to converse with me daily to have me tell them what to do, it is easy for them to fall behind a little bit and I have to make it a point to check in with my students and the parents twice a week to keep
them caught up with their work. Of course this is all my own opinions and what I personally see as drawbacks and benefits of the two versions of online learning and I am sure as I learn more about it and about more delivery tools (LMS and non-LMS) that my thoughts and opinions will take more shape and may even change.

It is all about how we view the situation we are in with what is going on with us personally and that is what makes online learning great at times and a struggle at times.

6 Comments

Michael M. link

03/28/2013 9:30pm

A great post Breanne.
I too have come to appreciate asynchronous learning as I can participate in and complete the assignments when my schedule allows me to. Having a three year old, that I enjoy spending time with, allows me to have the late evening to work on my schooling. I certainly enjoy the flexibility of asynchronous learning. Dedication and commitment are certainly a requirement of asynchronous learning. Within my F2F classroom, I also see students stumble with their schooling unless I am constantly checking in with them “to keep them up with their work.” At what age do you think students would be ready for the dedication and commitment required for asynchronous learning? Thanks for sharing your opinions of the drawbacks and benefits of the two versions of online learning.

Breanne

03/28/2013 9:52pm

Thanks for the reply Michael, I think that students will always need some level of hand-holding throughout the grade school years. This is mostly because you are required to take all the courses that the ministry of education tells you to so you will always find something that a student doesn't necessarily want to take but it is a requirement and needs to be pushed a little bit more. Once you enter into post secondary level you are taking courses that interest you and are what you want to take so I hope by then the need for hand-holding will have subsided..

Kim

03/31/2013 9:56am

Hi Breanne,

Congratulations to you and all of yours by the way! I hope things are settling out nicely at your house:) I just LOVE the smell of newborn babies... Anyway, I digress!

So, asynchronous versus synchronous - I think that the best DL incorporates both - just like what we are dong in OLTD. Just like what you do with Anchor Academy and I do with L@H... As I was reading your post I was thinking about the idea of persistence. Didn't we read an article about how one of the major character traits of a successful student/person is the tendency to persist with tasks even if they are in the face of difficulties? It seems to me that the DL environment provides unique opportunities to build persistence and self regulation skills in our students. That does not mean that I think it is easy to do so online! However, I do not believe that it is any different than doing so f2f. I have taught extensively in both settings... There are always students who fall behind, always students that you need to reach in different ways. Really, I think that is our job, it sure is not about content!

What I really find powerful about teaching online is how relatively easy is it is to personalize learning environments or expectations. Not having to worry about classroom management strategies is also extremely liberating for both the teacher and the student. Contact becomes about learning and getting to know each other... My ability to adapt, based on student needs and abilities, is maximized as well because no one else in that class needs to know. This goes for the challenged and the gifted. This is not always the case in a f2f class; privacy can be hard to come by in a room full of 30 kids! DL lets students with differences shine their way.

Breanne

04/01/2013 9:23am

Hey Kim,
I like what you said about accomodating different students - the challenged and the gifted - without anyone else knowing. I know that right now I have students doing different modifications depending on where they stand and thinking about it now, the privacy in f2f classrooms surrounding modifications was a big issue. I remember having one student who had dyslexia so we allowed him to bring his laptop to class to help with his writing but everyone else was able to see, OL really removes the openess about different learning struggles and allows students to keep it to themselves if they wish.

Justin Mark link

03/31/2013 3:02pm

Hi Breanne and congratulations on the new addition to your family. The pictures posted on our OLTD Facebook link were adorable. Our kids are 3 and 4 and we're going through the "maybe we should have another one" phase.

I really enjoyed your post on asynchronous vs synchronous. I started the course feeling much more comfortable and supportive of synchronous as I enjoyed being connected to a group and hearing my teacher's voice, however as we've progressed through the course I've grown more supportive of asynchronous learning, especially if the activities are experiential and meaningful. Again as has been stated I think the level and motivation of the students would probably influence the ratio of synchronous vs asynchronous activities. Enjoy the rest of your Easter weekend. Cheers Justin

Breanne

04/01/2013 9:26am

Hey Justin,
I think it is still very much a personal decision about which form of learning you feel more confortable with but at the same time, it might be dependant on what is going on with your personal life. Obviously asynchronous is very beneficial to me right now but those without children or more independant children might see more benefit in synchronous as they are not trying to juggle entertaining kids or childcare with paying attention.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning: Drawbacks and Benefits

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