Asynchronous learning always involves delayed receipt of information. This may include reading textbooks, articles, blogs, websites, interactive presentations, taking electronic courses, tests, tasks and exercises, watching recorded videos or listening to audio recordings.

It is commonly believed that in asynchronous learning there is no communication between the instructor and students. This is not true: the instructor and students can communicate via e-mail or messenger within the educational platform. In the learning process, students receive not only new knowledge, but also feedback – from the educational platform based on test results or from the teacher after checking the students’ independent works.

The main characteristic of asynchronous learning is that it is more or less “detached” from the usual constraints. That is, it is not dictated by time, place, or teacher-student collaboration. This crucial theme of independence makes a significant difference in the learning process.

Whereas in synchronous learning the teacher goes about learning a particular topic in real time, in asynchronous learning the student is usually provided with resources for independent mediated work.

Asynchronous learning tends to be technology-intensive and depends on students and teachers having access to and experience with these tools.

PROS OF ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING

• Broad geography. Asynchronous learning is available to learners from anywhere in the world.
• Flexibility. Trainees can choose their own training schedule, fitting it into their normal routine.
• Flow. You don’t need to have a group to start a course – students can start and finish training at any time.

DISADVANTAGES OF ASYNCHRONOUS TRAINING

• High demanding. Trainees have to motivate themselves, training, including meeting its deadlines, are self-motivated
• Technical dependence. In asynchronous learning, students are “tied” to the PC and the Internet, and must have certain technical skills to make effective use of the learning platform offered
• Isolation. In the case of asynchronous learning, students are usually deprived of the opportunity to communicate and interact with each other.

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Synchronous learning involves different forms of interaction:

• trainees can receive information, work with it independently or in groups, and discuss it with other trainees and instructors;
• the teacher has an opportunity to assess the trainees’ reactions, to understand their needs, to respond to them – to answer questions, to choose the pace comfortable for the group, to monitor the trainee’s involvement in the process and “return” him/her to the group if necessary.
• Popular formats of synchronous learning – webinar, live broadcast on social networks, joint work on documents, online lectures and online presentations.

How synchronous learning differs from classroom learning

Despite the obvious similarities between face-to-face classroom and synchronous formats, classroom and synchronous learning are not the same thing.

Indeed, both formats involve students gathering simultaneously in a single space while the instructor, using a variety of teaching and visual aids, explains theoretical material. In addition, many of the student engagement techniques that are used in classroom instruction can be transferred to a synchronous environment.

However, the differences are no less obvious. First, the classroom and synchronous formats involve different collaboration tools: the synchronous format focuses on mobile learning tools – the use of mobile apps, chat rooms, and online team boards. Second, in synchronous learning, the instructor usually has no way to check whether students are listening, so the success of learning depends largely on the conscientiousness of the learners.

That said, learning in a synchronous environment can be more interactive than a traditional classroom course. In classroom instruction, you can never get every student’s opinion, whereas the use of chat rooms and online whiteboards in synchronous instruction allows the instructor to gather feedback in a few minutes.

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