Asynchronous and synchronous discussions
In this module, asynchronous discussions were marked as the preferred method for teaching critical course content.
While I understand that more competitive and/or aggressive students are likely to dominate the discussion, I need clarification as to why the asynchronous discussion method is preferred.
I like the idea of options for the students. Sometimes they think they are well versed in one subject or other and then find that they don't do well in it at all.
Others who have not had the experience as yet, may think that online classes are easy and time saving. Probably neither of these ideas is true. They are not easy because the student needs to do a lot of the "heavy lifting" instead of having things neatly explained and emphasized. They are not necessarily time saving because the student needs to spend a great deal of time learning content.
The great advantage of online classes is that they can be worked on any time from anywhere. In today's world this can prove to be a definite benefit to the student who adapts himself to the milieu.
Brian,
I do much of my work in Asynch. mode; however, I also incorporate a fair amount of Synch. work as well. Whenever I do Synch. work, unless it is a one on one with a student, I record the sessions so the students that could not connect live can re-visit the material when they can. That ensures I am still meeting the needs of my purely Asynch. students.
Herbert Brown III
The point I take away from this module is that the interaction and the personal connection can be accomplished in many different ways. I think some online instructors think that requiring a live chat and then viewing later provides that personal touch. I have learned however it does not, if you are listening in an archived environment it is no different then listening to a lecture. The live chat should encourage interaction, but so should the lecture materials as well.
The theory was that in an asynchronous discussion - students will have time to prepare their answer, and post their answer in a potentially non-threatening environment. This module was the most enlightening for me as I work to develop my courses as we have a heavy reliance on live chats and I think we need to re-structure how we do live chats and build better asynchronous discussion questions that promote thinking.
Hi Carter! Haha
Carter and I teach at the same institution. From my experience with using this system, the asynchronous thing seems to be desired by and much better for the students because of the any-time accessibility. I usually have an open chat/conference discussion open while I'm teaching, and just today one of the students asked if the conference could be recorded, which I'll be considering for future sessions. It's hard to pick up and retain everything as it is happening in real-time– having any-time access helps take the added stress of immediate retention off the student.
Candace,
Some people would suggest that all asynchronous discussions don't provide a personal connection in the learning experience and that synchronous experiences can provide that element. I would say that both can be effective if established correctly. The level of interaction and timeliness of responses and feedback are vital for an asynch. experience to feel personal.
Herbert Brown III
I feel one benefit to online learning is asynchronous discussions. It enables the working student with flexibility in their schedule. I looked for that when choosing a program for the master degree education.
Carter,
So it sounds like you are doing more of a blended or hybrid model since they are also on-site? Synchronous tools can be very powerful for on-campus or online students. You can use them for virtual office hours, grading papers or reviewing work, individual help sessions with students, etc.
Herbert Brown III
Since this is new to the school I teach, we are currently requires the students (who are all local also attend on ground classes) to log in as if it is more of a virtual classroom. Eventually this will change as the curriculum and our understanding of online courses works. This is how we are currently doing it. So this is why I ask regarding synchronous vs. asynchronous discussions.
Hello, Carter.
I completely agree with Herbert.
In my online courses there ara generally people from very different time zones, and synchronous sessions may be difficult to adjust to everyone's schedule.
However, I find synchronous sessions (specially live video webminars) very useful to address critical issues for small groups of students. I usually help students with their program final projects, and live webminars can make the difference with groups which are having special difficulties to carry out their project. Fifteen minutes of live discussion can save hours of asynchronous interaction.
Carter,
Both can be used, but Asynch. is the most dominant tool still being used. This is due to the fact that most online students do online programs because they cannot dedicate specific days and times to classroom instruction. At our university a program has to be accreditation approved based on one or the other so that the students know what they are getting in to and we cannot force students in an Asynch program to do a lot of Synch. sessions (although we can have some that are flexible/optional with offline options). For example, I offer Live Synch. sessions, record them for students that can't connect, and follow up asynch. with them later. Asynch. is still the dominant delivery method.
Herbert Brown III
