Synchronous Online Learning: Let's Learn Together

    Online learning is a growing trend in the field of higher education, lauded for its convenience and use of new technologies, but recent studies into the results of online courses suggest that traditional online classes can be vastly improved using a concept called "synchronous learning".

   In the realm of online courses, two dominant formats exist: synchronous and asynchronous classes. The term "asynchronous" refers to courses that require students to participate in online discussions at separate times. In this type of online classroom, the students do not interact in real time with each other, or their teachers. However, according to a recent article in the Faculty Focus, asynchronous courses can be greatly enhanced by incorporating synchronous elements.

   Synchronous courses are defined by their use of technology to encourage real time interaction between students. In this case, by adding web conferences to online courses, teachers noticed that students were more actively engaged in conversation and learning than in an asynchronous discussion board or similar assignment. These findings contradict the current structure of most online courses, which follow the more traditional asynchronous format, but would students be interested in an alternative?

   "From my brief experience with an online course, I really hated how everything was just there online. The notes, the lecture, the assignments.. It didn't really feel like a class, it felt confusing. I didn't like it," said Charles Stewart, a GMU sophomore. "So yeah, I think that being able to talk to my friends and the professor would definitely make it feel like a real class."

   It seems clear from Stewart's perspective that the asynchronous method of teaching has some serious flaws, but it remains to be seen whether or not colleges will adopt synchronous methods into their teaching models. David Kinney, another student of George Mason University, had this to say:

   "Online classes are important, but I don't get how people can get through all of the text and slideshows and stuff. I'm ina  class right now that uses online discussion boards and the assignments are so lame. I don't think that they take the students seriously."



References:

Admin, . "Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Classes." How Online Learning Works. 02 04 2012: n. page. Web. 27 Apr. 2013. <http://www.elearners.com/online-education-resources/online-learning/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-classes/>.

Macaulay , Linda. "Interactive Web Conferencing Brings Big Benefits to the Online Classroom." Faculty Focus. 14 07 2011: n. page. Web. 27 Apr. 2013. <http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-articles/interactive-web-conferencing-brings-big-benefits-to-the-online-classroom/>.