Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning: Research, Results, and Implementation

Synchronous learning has been the standard educational format for thousands of years. Parents, teachers, and religious leaders taught children in person, providing hands-on instruction and real-time answers to student questions. Students today continue to benefit from in-person synchronous learning and can also receive a synchronous education online via livestreamed classes.

Now, thanks in large part to the internet, asynchronous learning has become increasingly common. Students learn the same material as they would in a synchronous class but on their own, with little or no interaction with the teacher and other students. Some praise it as an ideal way for students to learn at their own pace, in their own environment. Others point out that asynchronous instruction enables students who can't study in a synchronous environment receive a good education. Even so, research clearly indicates that synchronous learning offers benefits that can't be matched in an asynchronous learning environment.

Synchronous v Asynchronous Learning: Key Differences

• Synchronous learning enables students to interact face to face with an instructor and other learners. It includes in-person learning as well as live, virtual classes where everyone can communicate with each other.
• Asynchronous learning is a pre-recorded class that students can watch or study at their own pace. These classes are typically but not always in video format. In addition to using audio-visual materials, asynchronous learners may study at their own pace using reference books and textbooks.

Synchronous Learning: The Research

Multiple studies conducted from 2006 to 2014 have found that synchronous learning provides students with faster exchanges of information than asynchronous learning while also providing avenues to clear up confusion. What's more, synchronous learning offers children immediate social engagement opportunities and builds a sense of community. This plays a vital role in quality learning because, as research shows, students who feel they belong to an academic community are more likely to take responsibility for learning. Put simply, a sense of belonging energizes students, helps them focus on their studies, and helps them want to keep studying.

There is also research that shows that asynchronous learning has its benefits. A 2001 study found that asynchronous learning gave students more time to explore and engage with material than synchronous learning while providing a wide range of students with access to educational resources. However, asynchronous learning works best when paired with a synchronous learning environment. Teachers can offer a class the best of both worlds by providing synchronous instruction and then giving students homework or assignments to complete at home.

Synchronous Learning: Getting Results

Creating a synchronous learning environment takes proper planning. You'll also need to regularly evaluate the class to ensure each student is happy, secure, and reaching his or her full potential.

Picking a Platform

An ideal platform for synchronous instruction makes it possible for students to interact with the teacher and fellow students with ease. Lessons can be livestreamed on platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Not all teachers and students are tech-savvy, so make sure the platform is user-friendly. Each person in the class should be able to access and use it with ease.

Establish Clear Rules and Expectations

When students set foot in an in-person classroom or virtual classroom, they should know what to expect from the teacher and from their fellow students. Administrators, in cooperation with teachers, will want to draw up some ground rules. These may include:

• Proper terms for addressing the teacher
• Behavioural rules
• How your grading system works and minimum grade requirements
• Rules regarding turning in homework and other assignments on time
• Rules for requesting extra time to complete an assignment. Students should know that, if an emergency occurs, they can ask the teacher for extra time to finish their coursework.

Create a Collaborative Environment

Collaborative learning can improve a student's critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also boosts student engagement. Some tools teachers can leverage to create a collaborative learning environment include:

• Encouraging the use of online discussion boards
• Providing access to a cloud server for shared documents
• Encouraging students to talk about classes and assignments in chat rooms
• Pair students in small groups to complete assignments. This can be done in both an in-person and online learning environment.

Foster a Sense of Belonging

It's normal for new learners to feel out of place. However, there are ways your school can put everyone at ease and make them feel like they belong in a class.

• Encourage teachers to allow each learner time to introduce him or herself at the start of the class. Learners can also share something that they enjoy, be it a hobby, book, or activity.
• If all your learners are from the same geographic location, take local happenings and trends into account when creating course content. Good ways to do this include bringing in notable local people to talk to the class and including news stories that relate to course content with the learning materials.
• Teachers providing synchronous online courses can foster a sense of belonging by getting to know where each learner is from and including material relevant to learners in different classes. Students who know that their culture matters to the teacher and other students will feel at ease in class and can thus focus on their studies.

Offer Fast Feedback

Teachers may not be able to offer each student instant feedback. Even so, instructors should answer their questions and concerns as quickly as possible. If this isn’t possible, teachers should acknowledge the student's communication and let them know when to expect an answer. Additionally, all learners should know when grades will be posted.

Creating a Synchronous Learning Environment

An asynchronous learning environment won't meet all your student's needs. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many schools to provide synchronous and asynchronous learning with the current teacher shortage. That's where Proximity Learning comes in.

Our certified teachers specialize in creating virtual synchronous learning environments using cutting-edge technology to make it easy for students and instructors to interact with ease. We provide K-12 instruction, summer school, tutoring, and special education case management to meet the needs of educational institutions of all sizes and types. We have over 15 years of experience in our field and studies have shown that our students have higher test scores than students who rely on asynchronous online courses.

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