){kind=logo}
){kind=icon}
){kind=logo}
){kind=icon}
Do you know the differences between synchronous and asynchronous learning? Their advantages and disadvantages? Here we explain them.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions were forced to move their classes from an in-person, face-to-face classroom to a virtual one online, venturing into trying asynchronous and synchronous learning to see which works better or adapts to their needs and those of their students. However, what do these concepts mean? How do they differ?
Online learning is divided into two categories: synchronous and asynchronous learning. The first refers to education in which the students have the opportunity to learn and interact at the moment (i.e., “live”) with their teacher and peers. Specifically, synchronous learning is a type of group learning where everyone learns at the same time. On the other hand, asynchronous learning is one that can happen either live or offline later through videos, materials, and educational resources provided beforehand by the teacher; that is, the class learns the same content, but each student at his/her own pace.
Technically, synchronous learning also includes conferences, debates, classes conducted in physical classrooms, and group activities. On the contrary, asynchronous learning is more self-directed, and the student decides the times that he will learn.
TeachThought explains that, historically, online learning was asynchronous. Still, due to the evolution of technology and the development of tools such as expanded bandwidth, video streaming, social media, and others, the use of synchronous learning has become popular.
Which one to choose?
Each institution has different needs, so they must know how to choose, considering different variables:
-
Whether students and teachers have the tools required for online courses (computers, mobile devices, etc.).
-
Whether internet access is available to both parties, educators and students.
-
If the students have a proper space to study and availability to connect to classes as scheduled.
-
The planning and design of classes and assessments to measure what students will learn.
-
The manner and the time in which the students learn.
Asynchronous learning: Pros and cons
One of the most significant advantages of this type of learning is that it allows the students to be independent, permitting them to organize their time their way. Also, the classes are available at all times; students can download the content and access it even if they do not have internet. This also helps when the student wants to return to a lesson or activity and review it if he or she has concerns or questions.
The only major disadvantage of this model is that there is no real interaction between the educators and their students, nor between the students and their peers, so if they have a question, it will not be resolved at that moment.
Synchronous learning: Pros and cons
The biggest advantage of the synchronous model is that when all parties are connected, there is a real interaction between teachers and students, and any problems they have can be resolved at the moment. This overcomes the disadvantage of the asynchronous model.
On the other hand, the disadvantage of the synchronous model is that it depends on technology to make it happen, for example, whether or not the student has a computer to connect online or access to a stable internet connection.
These advantages and disadvantages only show the fact that both will not be effective if they do not have a pedagogical methodology that considers technology and how to optimize it. The quality of classes or learning depends on good planning and design that allows students to better understand the content, as well as a continuous review and evaluation of the effectiveness of each type of learning.
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}
This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 
)