This school year will look very different for most teachers. Some are beginning entirely online and others are returning to school on a modified schedule where they will only see students in person a couple of days a week. So, the question many teachers are asking is, “How should I spend my limited time with students in the classroom or in video conferencing sessions? What is the best use of that time?”
First, let’s be clear about the differences between asynchronous and synchronous learning.
| Asynchronous Learning | Synchronous Learning |
| Occurring at different times and in different places (e.g., students working at home). | Occurring at the same time and in the same place (e.g., students working in the classroom or meeting online for a video conference session. |
| Students can access content, resources, activities at any time, and from anywhere. | Students can access content, resources, and activities at a specific time and location. |
| Students can control the time, place, and pace of their learning. | Students may have some control over the pace of their learning, but they do not control the time or the place. |
| Students work independently to complete assignments and tasks. | Students have access to teacher and peer support while completing assignments and tasks. |
If we take a step back and think about the benefits and challenges of asynchronous learning and synchronous learning, that can provide clarity about how to think about the design of our curriculum in an online or blended learning course.
Asynchronous learning provides students with a high degree of flexibility and autonomy. They can control the pace of their learning, which lends itself to the following activities.
Teachers who are seeing students for synchronous face-to-face sessions in a classroom or virtual conferencing sessions online may find it useful to think of the asynchronous learning as pre-work and post-work for the synchronous sessions.
The pre-work may involve students reading texts, watching videos, listening to podcasts, exploring teacher-curated resources online, and taking notes. Completing this work asynchronously lets the students control the pace at which they consume and process information. Teachers may also want to engage students in online discussions to encourage them to think critically about that information before attending class.
If students engage in meaningful pre-work prior to class, the teacher can maximize their limited synchronous time with students in a blended learning or online learning course. They can focus their time and energy on high-value learning activities when working directly with students. Instead of feeling pressure to cover the curriculum or present information, the teacher can use their precious synchronous time to do the following.
Teachers can follow this synchronous time with post-work activities, like additional review and practice, research and exploration, or reflection that build on the work students did in synchronous sessions.
The biggest advantage of synchronous learning is human connection. When students learn in a shared time and space, they have access to their teacher and each other. So, teachers should design with that in mind, prioritize community, and leverage those human connections to engage students in social learning.
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114 Responses
Asynchronous learning also depends largely on the capability of the student to do work on their own. Teachers will have to prepare students for asynchronous learning. This might add up to their work load.
What if students prefer synchronous learning and be done with the work in the classroom under the guidance of the teacher?
That is a great point, Tangirala.
There is a lot of skill-building (academic and self-regulation) involved in helping students thrive during asynchronous learning. You are also correct that some students will gravitate to one type of learning over the other. Unfortunately, many teachers going back entirely online or on a hybrid schedule won’t have the luxury of a lot of synchronous time with students so there will likely need to be a blend of synchronous and asynchronous work.
Take care.
Catlin
I have never given this much thought but I do see much relevance in what you are saying. Students may gravitate towards one mode of learning as opposed to another. Due to the high level of interactivity students may prefer synchronous online. However, because it is in our nature to be physically engaged, they may also prefer synchronous offline sessions. Others may simply enjoy doing worksheets; asynchronous offline. So, while we may have our preferences, students may also have their and we as educators must factor this in when making critical decisions relating to instruction.
great approaches i enjoyed learning about both
based on the students’s age and ability an approach should be used. the best one that is. this gives the learner autonomy in their learning.
I completely agree with your point Tangirala. Most students of this generation will definitely gravitate towards synchronous learning and be done with it. it will also give those students the advantage of teachers’ guidance as opposed to doing the work independently which will benefit them in the long run as they move on to higher level of educational institution that would require a great deal of independent work.
Hi there,
The experience tells us the opposite though. Students joining synch sessions at the expense of a teacher burning over Zoom meetings one after another, simply to keep their cameras off and not really listening to what is going on because they can watch the video recording later. Also, students too get Zoom burnout.
Flipped classroom is not new; is what we all got used to over years of being students way before the Covid pandemic and is precisely what is being proposed by the author.
To succeed, the whole teacher workload and workflow needs re-thinking, otherwise we would be simply replicating online what we did offline: well prepared learning materials, even better designed activities and yet better prepared instructions are the key.
Tangirala . I do agree with what you said. Although it’s a great tool for learning . It brings about an extra work load. Thanks for sharing.
Oh wow! You hit the nail on the head there, Tangirala. Asynchronous classroom are a lot more work for already stretched thin teachers. It would also be a challenge for students who are not intrinsically motivated. I really would like to see this demonstrated in a Caribbean classroom, especially the Flipped approach.
Great Observation Tangirala, The age and stage of the students will be very critical. Teachers will have to motivate students to work on their own. Also the parents can assist in this area to ensure completion of tasks.
this is very informative and I will definitely use this means. thanks
Hello there (excuse me the double-post, I mean to answer here):
The experience tells us that students join synch sessions at the expense of a teacher burning over Zoom meetings one after another, simply to keep their cameras off and not really listening to what is going on because they can watch the video recording later. Also, students too get Zoom burnout. Flipped classroom is not new; is what we all got used to over years of being students way before the Covid pandemic and is precisely what is being proposed by the author. To succeed, the whole teacher workload and workflow needs re-thinking, otherwise we would be simply replicating online what we did offline: well prepared learning materials, even better designed activities and yet better prepared instructions are the key.
I agree with you,Tangirala.
I agree with your post
It depends on preference.
This is so clear and succinct – it really captures the power of both learning environments. Thank you for this excellent work!
Thank you, Jeanne! I appreciate that. I’ve had several teachers ask how to plan for each type of learning, so I wanted to provide some ideas for thinking about this as they plan. These are the types of activities I focus on when coaching teachers who are planning for blended and online learning. I’m thrilled you found it useful!
Catlin
so true Jeanne. Very clear explanations and examples of activities that can be employed
Thanks, I will use this information to organize my online instruction and “live” conferences.
Do you have a lesson plan template that helps teachers who are teaching both students online and those face to face in a classroom at the same time?
Thank you
Hi Sherry,
No, I don’t have a lesson template like that. Maybe other folks in that situation have created something they can share.
Take care.
Catlin
Hi Catlin,
I am the principal of a small school in So Cal. Our district has reopened virtually using the am/pm model which includes both asynchronous and synchronous learning times. This was in preparation for having students back on site soon using the hybrid model of am/pm cohorts. Not all families are choosing to send their students back in person, so we will now be blending online with in person as our teachers navigate streaming to students at home while teaching to some in person. This really modifies what the synchronous learning looks like. While it’s a lot to learn all at once, I am excited to have these opportunities to try out various models of teaching/learning that break our traditional molds of education.
I appreciate how you clearly laid out meaningful activities that can be completed during the asynchronous learning times. I think that if we can leverage that time most effectively, we can set ourselves up for yet another blended learning model that allows schools and families to take advantage of the best of both worlds: online and in-person learning. This could occur in daily learning cycles which keep cohorts of in-person classes smaller for more personalized learning opportunities.
I would be curious to get your thoughts on this.
~ Jackie
Hi Jackie,
I just published a blog about the concurrent classroom where teachers have some kids in class and some attending virtually. My biggest concern about the concurrent classroom is that teachers will revert back to lecture followed by independent practice. In that blog, I describe how teachers can leverage blended learning models to more effectively engage students and maximize their time in a concurrent classroom.
I agree that this moment (as tough as it is) presents an opportunity to rethink school structures and schedules. I love the idea of keeping in-person classes small so that personalizing learning feels more manageable for teachers.
Thank you for taking a moment to share the approach your school is using to navigate this situation. It’s fascinating to hear what schools are doing right now.
Take care.
Catlin
This sounds like some of my classes. I have FTF and a teams meeting going on at the same time. Lecture in the classroom is for the most part impossible to do. I do a lot of Q&A and students need to do a lot of independent work as I talk with each student one-on-one.
Thank you for these added references. Enjoy the clarification of the posters and the images.
You’re welcome, Caryn! I’m glad they were useful.
Catlin
This has been very helpful. Thank you.
Thank you very much for this information! I find it very useful and can’t wait to share with my peers at school.
Do you know of someone who does the same kind of work you do only about the youngest learners? I need help with kids who cannot read yet or work independently!
Hi Marcia,
Erin Klein is an elementary teacher who does a lot of work in this space. You can check out her website at kleinspiration.com or connect with her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/kleinerin?lang=en
Take care.
Catlin
Are the infographics available for download and sharing! I really love the information!
Thank you for this. God bless you always Maam!
Obviously kindergarten is hard to have them do live online at the beginning of the year. Last spring I found the delay on Web ex was hard to keep their attention. What to record or do live?
Hi Maura,
I usually recommend that any instruction, modeling, etc. that everyone needs to see and hear is best in a video. That way students (and parents/caregivers) can self-pace through the explanation or model pausing, rewinding, or rewatching as needed. Then any instruction and modeling that would benefit from interaction, discussion, sharing, etc. is best in a video conference.
Catlin
Maybe human connection deserves an asterisk for the online component. “ The biggest advantage of synchronous learning is human connection*”
I can appreciate your comment Goldy! I’m wondering if this validates why when I give my students asynchronous work, they don’t complete it during their own time. However, I can reassign the same activity during class (after synchronous time), and they’ll complete that same assignment (without any assistance). No matter how I push for my students to take advantage of the asynchronous time, they don’t.
I do face similar challenges with my online students
I do agree that going virtual alone decreases a student’s ability to interact with the outside world and human connection is vital for our children to grow and thrive.
you are so right, i am always worried about them as they need the hands on approach.
The challenge is when half the students are virtual/synchronous and the other half are physically in the classroom. Engaging and pacing both audiences at the same time can be difficult.
Difficulty / Challenge When half of the students are virtually synchronized and the other half in the class, it is difficult to involve all students at the same time.
True, but why would you want half the class online while the other in the classroom?
I can see that possibly working when dealing with persons who can operate at the abstract level, and/or you as the teacher have identified what works best for each student so the groups are divided in that manner, which may not necessarily be half.
Great stuff.
Difficulty / Challenge When half of the students are virtually synchronized and the other half in the class, it is difficult to involve all students at the same time.
How does this address equity for students with limited access to the online environment, poor internet speeds or family dynamics that prohibit live sessions; OR the school district does not require synchronous learning. This seems to leave a chunk of the learning experience out for students who only access asynchronously. How to bridge those gaps?
Different times, control, independently, face-to-face and peer support
Thank you Catlin for your insight in blended learning. After 23 years of teaching Reading in the middle school classroom, I am faced with a new challenge of 6th grade English in a virtual classroom this year. Needless to say, it has been very challenging. Clarity within the frameworks of two types of learning experiences, Asynchronous vs. Synchronous, will help a lot in the area of planning meaningful experiences. I find I waste a lot of time in the initial Zooming experience in the Synchronous days, taking roll, saying hello, etc. We are only allowed to have them enter one at a time and sometimes that is a staggering experiences. Management will be a helpful area to research as well.
Hi Jenny,
I can imagine that it is a huge shift teaching entirely online. I’m glad this post was helpful.
I’ll do some digging into management online to see if I can find anything useful.
Take care.
Catlin
I really appreciate that synchronous learning values ‘human connection’. So many of our students need to feel that teacher is right there (on the screen) and will listen, communicate, and help them. Sometimes, technology takes away the compassion and caring. If I can connect with each student and earn respect by listening to their needs and challenges, learning will happen. Being flexible is important as well.
I recommend plan, lesson plan, independent work, project for period of 1 week, not daily work
This is very helpful.
Blended learning isn’t easy.I don’t feel that Asynchronous Learning works for all students probably for the more dedicated students.Synchronous Learning probably works well for the not to dedicated students.Most teachers probably like Synchronous Learning that way they probably have a better grip with reaching their students.
I agree. Some of the more accelerated students are doing very well asynchronous, however, those that need more motivation still need to have someone there to educate, yet entertain, to keep their attention.
Thanks! All good points. I will try to incorporate these concepts into my daily instruction!
This is so clear, and the visuals help me to get it quickly. Thank you. I think that the key to synch/async is when you said “If students engage in meaningful pre-work prior to class…” The “If” is our barrier!
We need to do the work to get kids to understand that they will learn more in synchronous class – and probably have more fun, too – if they do the necessary work before class. This is part of the training that we have to provide for students.
Very clear definitions of the two teaching styles.
Both forms of instruction are well outlined. the one that I am using the least are podcasts and collaborative work. It looks like I am understanding the needs of asynchronous work as the days are progressing. This article helped me look at my instruction a little more closely. Always, helpful to relflect!
Both forms of instruction are valuable. In order to differentiate instruction I use both methods to meet the needs of my students. It was nice to get the side by side breakdown in the article.
I find with my special education students in the general education setting , they are particularly challenged by the asynchronous work. My aide and I push into the general education classroom and pull our students ‘aside’ to support them. We do this in addition to our synchronous groups where we spend more focused time on their specific needs. We’ve found this helps to support the differentiation in the gen ed classes.
Thanks! All valid good points and I will incorporate these in my daily instruction.
Is there a way for students to begin an asynchronous lesson, save their work and exit, then return the next day and resume without losing any of the work they’ve already completed in the Nearpod?
Hi Rhonda,
Yes, students should be able to save their work during a self-paced lesson.
Catlin
Thanks for this information
ainjazawha balfel
Is there a way for the pupils to start an asynchronous lesson, save their work, complete their duties, leave and then return the next day and resume work without losing any of the work they have already accomplished?
I believe that both forms of learning are important. As teachers, we want to spend time making sure our students understand and know what to do, but it is also important for them to learn how to accomplish some things on their own.
I totally agree with your post. Both types of learning are important for student success. When students are given the opportunity to work asynchronously they can choose to work at their own pace. What ever concept they do not understand they can always go over what is presented to them. This will also help them to take charge of their learning if they want success. when working synchronously then there can be that form of competition that may motivate students to excel. No one likes to be last in situations like this.
Asynchronous learning works great with online learning platforms such as Everfi. Students are allowed to work at their own pace, and the program keeps teachers up to date on what each student is doing.
Hi Catlyn Tucker,
I’m trying to create a math choice board for my asynchronous students. Any suggestions or ideas that might help me start. I’m a tad bit overwhelmed. LOL!
Hi Dwight,
I wrote a blog sharing a strategy for a choose your own adventure choice board, which could be fun if you want kids to engage, explore, and explain.
I also wrote a blog about creating a standards-aligned choice board, which may be helpful.
Catlin
I do agree that both are useful for students as they are can interact with the material before and after the synchronous sessions.
I do believe that both platforms will be advantage for the students because it allows them set their own pace to work.
Very nice review, thanks.
I am very interested designing each type of learning Asynchronous and Synchronous to increase student learning as it pertains to my individual classroom structure and dynamic make up.
I have used FlipGrid a lot for asynchronous activities to coneect with my students. My school has spent a lot of time this year (with remote learning) focusing on Social and Emotional learning. FlipGrid is a great tool for this!
Hello, it has been challenging for my exceptional students to transition from their gen ed to our resource sessions. Especially those only online. Creates an anxious and uncertainty for them as well as me. I do not like seeing my students struggle with transition through the screen but I still need to use calming techniques and brain breaks. It definitely has been a challenging year. I feel face to face would work better for those struggling students and exceptional students or at least allow them to come 4 days a week and the remaining students online only.
zor bir süreç. dijital yöntemler yüz yüze eğitim kadar canlı olmasa da etkili hale getirilebilir ve çeşitli web araçlarıyla öğrenci yönlendirilebilir.
English Translation:
a difficult process. Although digital methods are not as lively as face-to-face training, they can be made effective and students can be guided through various web tools.
Great point Stephanie for the anxiousness that not only your students feel, but you feel as well. I like how you are able to incorporate calming techniques and brain breaks.
I agree with you. Many of my children that I share are not making the connection that they have two teachers and my lessons is just as important.
Thank you for the clarification of both forms of learning. I feel that both forms are equally important.
You’re welcome, Molly!
Thank you for the review.
You’re welcome, Allan!
Asynchronous learning can pose a challenge to some learners in particular students with learning difficulties. I believe synchronous learning is best suited to meet the needs of students who requires differentiate learning as it mandates time, reteaching of concepts and skills, and one on one instructions.
Asynchronous learning is a challenge for most middle school students. Some just won’t do it because there is no one there physically with them to help motivate the process. Some put it off, thinking they will do it later and can’t manage their time. There are a few who prefer this so they can get it done and not be held up by others. Virtual learning is not for everyone. Even if you do a blend of both types there are students who don’t get anything out of it or done. We just completed 8 days of virtual with middle schoolers before Thanksgiving. The attendance looks great on paper, but the mental engagement wasn’t there and the work completion was less than 50%.
I agree with you. Learning both ways can be challenge for students.
Great review.
This point is important and useful, Tangir. There are not many skills building processes that would contribute to helping students develop and thrive during asynchronous learning. You are right. Some students will be drawn to one type of learning over the other. Unfortunately, teachers who return to the Internet will not enjoy. In full or according to a luxuriously mixed schedule of simultaneous time with the students, therefore there must be a mixture of simultaneous and asynchronous work.
Thanks for the clarification. The two forms of education are equally important, in my opinion
Great job! Would it be ok to share this with some of my colleagues?
You are welcome to share this with your colleagues, Marjorie!
Take care.
Catlin
Great job! Great insights!
Thank you, Franklin!
I have only used synchronous learning virtual instruction for my students with reading challenges due to the need for support and guidance enabling students understanding learning activity directions. If I were to utilize Asynchronous learning for my students to complete, an option that I am confident would be successful is frontloading directions and checking thoroughly for understanding directions of expected assignment.
Leroy I often wander if the age of the students being taught matters when coming to Asynchronous and synchronous learning. I believe both methods may work well for some students. But for others, I have observed just one method works best for them. This, includes both adult and school aged students.
Hello,
Just like you I was a bit skeptical about this myself. Being a student really brings to home the concepts of synchronous learning profoundly. As time passes I have adjusted and I am happy to say the experience is worth it.
When we first started virtual learning I was a little scared and nervous about how it would go. I accepted the challenge of virtual learning, and now I absolutely love it. I try to make learning fun and engaging as well and informative with the content being taught. I love how I can assign assignments to students based on their individual needs. I am confident my students are learning and maintaining content being virtual. They have definitely exceed my expectations.
Reading this put a smile on my face, Shana! I am thrilled to hear that you have been able to assign work based on student needs and successfully engage your students online.
Thank you for taking a moment to share your experience!
Catlin
I felt the same way thanks for sharing.
Thank you for explaining in such simple term.
You’re welcome, Courtney!
Using asynchronous learning as pre and post work for synchronous sessions is a great idea that allows students to blend asynchronous and synchronous learning and provide students a way to enhance their learning in both situations.
Asynchronous learning is meant for students who are selfaware&hard working.Well synchronous learning can help all students, &teacher can guide them to attain specific objectives of the learning process. Thank You
I am in full agreement to this post
I believe the level of academics helps determine which model best benefits the student. It is situational in my opinion, but I feel every teaching style should be situational based on the students learning style.
Catlin, I am a faculty developer at a college. May I have permission to re-shared your image with attribution and a link to your site?
Yes, you may share my image with attribution and a link to my site. Thank you for asking, Elan.
Take care.
Catlin
This really make sense. We were oriented that asynchronous classes require non-use of computer, but I notice teachers ran out of significant activities to do. I will present this to the group to have a better distinction of the two. Can you recommend how to monitor activities conducted by teachers asynchronously?
Hi Mary Ann,
Asynchronous work occurs at different times, places, and paces so monitoring activities in action is not possible. Are you concerned about leadership monitoring teachers or teachers monitoring students? Either way, it will be more manageable to have an expectation about asynchronous work (time spent on it/amount) and request a deliverable as opposed to trying to monitor the experience.
Catlin
Both forms of instruction were detailed and simply explained. Thankful for the knowledge provided.
Hi, Catlin!
Your article and images are inspiring and well described the activities in the two modes of learning.
May I share your ideas and images with my students?
Yes, you are welcome to share them. Please give credit to me and my website.
Thank you, Miki.
Catlin
sure!
This has been very helpful. Thank you for sharing
Thank you Cynthia this was very enlightening
Asynchronous teaching and learning is good for students and has many advantages. It is flexible as it does not require real time interaction. When students cannot be in class due to a natural disaster, a pandemic, sickness, diseases, asynchronous learning is useful because it mitigates the difficulty or challenge of scheduling in person or face to face classes. It also promotes independent learning.
My question is though, how much time on average should one dedicate to design a lesson using the asynchronous approach to learning?
Hi Dwight,
So often, online learning gets a bad reputation because of COVID, yet your comment is absolutely true. There are affordances of online learning that benefit students because they have more control over their experience. I wish more educators appreciated online learning for what it does well and synchronous learning for what it does well. I guess that’s a big reason why I love blended learning.😊
Regarding your question about the time required for instructional design, it’s a complex issue with varying factors such as subject matter, grade level, and the individual teacher’s experience. During the pandemic, I encouraged teachers to focus on creating “mini-units” lasting 2-3 weeks. This approach helped keep the design process manageable and allowed for a more coherent backward design approach. By aligning online learning activities with clear learning objectives, we were able to provide students with a structured and effective learning experience.
Take care.
Catlin
Catlin