Asynchronous Learning

Asynchronous learning is a key feature of successful online learning programs.

The word “asynchronous” means not keeping time together, which refers to students’ ability to access information, demonstrate what they’ve learned, and communicate with classmates and instructors on their own time. They don’t have to be in the same classroom to participate. Flexibility and self-paced learning are key aspects of asynchronous learning. Asynchronous learning allows flexibility for all learners and easily accommodates different learning styles.

 

 

Asynchronous learning uses tools and systems to allow the teacher and students to interact.

These may include: 

• Recorded presentations, such as slideshows and videos

• Email exchanges

• Discussion boards 

• Collaborative documents like Padlet, Jamboard or Nearpod

The most obvious benefit is flexibility for students with needs that cannot be met in the traditional classroom but can be addressed through an asynchronous program.

Other benefits include:  

Pacing - Students can spend more time on challenging areas and work toward mastery. Individual pacing also helps address different learning styles.  

Collaboration - Using discussion boards and interactive document editing can help students engage more deeply with the material as they communicate with each other. Asynchronous collaboration allows students to reach out for help when they need it and to work with the material as long as needed before sharing their thoughts with others. Taking the time to process content and discussion at a more flexible pace leads to a richer, more personalized experience overall. 

Asynchronous Activities and Tools 

Videos - Teachers may turn in-class lectures into videos by recording their teaching. Videos can be combined with documents, texts, photos and slides. Students can view the presentations on their own time and their own pace.  

Demonstrations - Sometimes, students need to see something in action and teachers may post a video that demonstrates a skill.  

Class Discussion - Discussion boards embedded into the learning are a great way to get students to interact while not requiring them to all be online at the same time. 

Group Projects - Students do not have to be in the same classroom to work together on a meaningful project. Group presentations and reports can be edited using Google Docs for real-time collaboration and commenting.  

Learning Activities - Students need to apply what they’ve picked up from the materials. Teachers can use Quizlet to create quizzes and games that let students demonstrate their skills and get feedback on what they know and what needs work. 

Assessment - Teachers can integrate assessments to learn what students learned. Both the instruction and the assessment can be asynchronous, and the data can be used to drive the next day’s instruction.