The most important lesson I learned in this module was the advantage of asynchronous meetings over synchronous. Asynchronous provides a btter forum for all learners to be able to participate at their full capacity.
Encouraging discussion between students/instructor will make the class more successful. Students want to feel a part of the process and by allowing discussion, you are giving them some ownership in their learning.
Asynchronous communication each have their place in an online learning environment. Synchronous should not be used for more than 5-6 students at one time, and should be very focused. Asynchronous has advantages including allowing students more time to think about and compose their responses, as well as in replying to classmates responses.
When engaging with students about their input into the discussions, use words and tones that build confidence instead of cutting a student down.
Asychronous and synchronis discussions and management of those discussions will take consideration.
Honestly, what hit me most was the reminder to allow small talk at the begiining and end of the synchronous learning to further relationship building.
I found the pros and cons of synchronous and asynchronous learning particularly interesting, and was quite surprisd to learn that more learning of core concepts tends to take place in asynchronous learning than synchronous.
I think it's important to make sure to keep the discussions streamlined. If you do not it will almost be impossible to stay on task.
Information presented regarding asynchronous and synchronous provides a good way of managing course discussions amongst students.
Information presented regarding asynchronous and synchronous provides a good way of managing course discussions amongst students.
Learning the difference between Fostering participation in asynchronous discussions versus synchronous discussions. Adjusting to the students needs for one or the other. Providing Feedback in a timely manner to allow time for students to modify their work. Normally I don't ask for student feedback regarding my course, because I do not like to recieved negative input. Plus, I put so much time & energy into leraning (like completing this course) & implementing a structure & content that in my eyes is perfect. It's hard to receive others comments that put in no effort or understand that online-learning requires different strategies.
I need to adjust my plans to allow for more asynchronous, less synchronous interactions. This is going to be difficult with students who are challenged in expressing themsselves verbally, especially reading and writing.
Discussion forums are the best way for students to communicate with the instructor as well as other classmates
Learn the differences between in classroom and online learning
Smaller groups for synchronous meetings helps keep the conversation understandable while message boards or other asynchronous meetings allow for exposure to more varied viewpoints and allows students more time for well thought out responses
I appreciate the clarity of recommendations for sychronus vs. asynchronus activities. I wonder if the number of students that function well in a synchronus setting might change based on the availability of a break out session like zoom has?
A teacher is a catalyst in discussion forums. Both synchronous and asynchronous meetings are important is student learning, but asynchronous is more effective in online learning.
Remember, while students may be more tech savy than you, they are typically not as conversational savy- they may not easily be drawn into technical conversations about a class topic- engage them, nudge them into it, Try to avoid having one or two students take over a conversation- either online, or in the classroom...
The words (asynchronous/snychronous) are new to me in teaching students. I just realized that when I am teaching on the Big Blue Button, I am using synchronous discussions. Some students particpate and some students never wrote anthing in the chat box. What an eye opener. I understand these two new terms and how to use them for online learning.
For the past few weeks of remote learning we have had division meetings (Google Meets) of a varying number of participants. Groups have beeen as small as three and as large as 40. Synchronous discussions are benficial for sharing information and getting feedback from smaller groups--I would say five or less. Asynchronous discussions are better for larger groups. I suggested the later for our division meetings in lieu of a synchronous discussion. It was chaos when we tried to have a Google Meet with 15-16 people.
