I learned that the data about synchronous learning is out of date. In the last 6 months (which feels like over night), our education world in K-12 has turned to Synchronous concurrent (students in the classroom and online at the same time) teaching. I don't like it at the same time I'm fascinated by how our current technology was able to handle the change. When I was in middle school, we would have had none of these things. I am also in awe of the teachers being able to go from F2F to online with relatively few hiccups. I think we see it as HUGE problems today but we are going to look back and be amazed!
Keeping students on task and current is challenging with asynchronous
Regarding Synchronous versus Asynchronous, I am not sold on asynchronous being used in all courses, for some, specifically the trades it doesn't work for all the students, they aren't as engaged.
It's important that an appropriate learning method be selected for an online course. Guidelines are also important too as they regulate what's expected of students and enforced. When th learning environment is organised and there are guidelines, over time a pattern of teaching emerges. The pattern consists of several components. These include learning outcomes, communication, centralised location, submission of assignments, content delivery as well as questions and answers.
Whether synchronous or asyncronous, orginzation is the key.
There are two general ways of running a class: synchronous and asynchronous. There are multiple advantages and disadvantages to both, and as an instructor, I'll use whichever one is most appropriate for the subject.
I learned the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning is that synchronous learning involves a group of students engaged in learning while asynchronous learning involves student-centered learning like self-studying approach. If both methods have proper information and presented in an organized consistent manner, so the students know what is expected of them.
synchronous and asynchronous styles have both advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage to asynchronous would be for students who often procrastinte their assignments, self paced would not work in that instance.
I have learned that it is important to determine which online teaching works best for the student .
Asynchronous learning students can work at their own time frame. Synchronous all students are grouped together at the same time
Clear communication and reinforcement are essential for students to successfully achieve the course outcomes and goals. I have found many students need reinforcement of instructions even in a synchronous environment because they often have difficulty managing distractions.
Keep working on organizing materials so students can follow material and guidelines easier to promote learning
This section proves that information must be organized and consistent in the classroom. Consistency provides the students a clear understanding on the content being distributed.
I learned from this module the importance of communication and ensuring that students understand expectation and timeframes for assignment due dates and responses.
I learned how important is to organize the course content and to choose the method that better fots my style.
I learned the advantages and disadvantages of sychronous and asynchronous methods of delivery. I will use these delivery methods in developing as well as using these methods to better assist my students lerarning.
It is good to see that front loading a course is an option. I have always done this because I felt it provided a clear outline of student expectation.
I find that a blend of both synchronous and Asynchronous learning is best, but to make sure in the begining that we effectively communicate and check for understanding of all the components in an effective pattern of teaching.
Currently our classes that were pushed online due to Covid are being held synchronously, however, the potential for synchronous work has been very helpful when students have run into changing work schedules and family needs during this complex time. It is clear though, that if I were to actually purposefully offer the class as an asynchronous class, I would have to modify it with different assignments and content presentation to ensure that the students engage asynchronously with the material to the same extent they do in my synchronous class.
The key thing that I hace learned is that students have to be able to acccess information easily through out the course . The course goals and student responsiblities need to be explained and followed throughout the course. I think this will cause the student to be more likly to complete assignments to maintain learning.
