Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Environments

Author(s):  
Moti Frank

This paper discusses the organizational and pedagogical aspects, benefits, and disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies as platforms for creating distance learning environments. By comparing the advantages and challenges of the two learning environments, teachers will be able to match the appropriate learning environment and its teaching strategy to their learning goals. These two learning environments involve distance learning. Distance education (or what is commonly termed “distance learning”) is a method of education in which the learner is physically distanced from both the teacher and the institution providing the instruction. Learning may be undertaken either individually or in groups. According to USDLA (2006), distance learning is: “The acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction, encompassing all technologies and other forms of learning at a distance.”

Author(s):  
Tülay Görü Doğan ◽  
Gülsün Eby

This research is a theory building study regarding the design of distance learning environments from a socio-technical perspective. Within this study, a synthesis of current theories and approaches in addition to established theories in the field of distance education will be conducted, with focus placed on the notion that a flexible learning environment may be designed based on social and technical elements. In this regard, the process of designing the aforementioned learning environment is expressed in a theoretical manner, with the following two theories comprising the basis of the study: (1) the Flexible Learning Approach and (2) the Socio-Technical Theory. A theoretical matrix is established within the study utilizing these theories, while each cell in the theoretical matrix provides a statement that determines a flow chart regarding the design of Flexible Distance Learning Environments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Stefanos Armakolas ◽  
Christos T. Panagiotakopoulos ◽  
Anthi V. Karatrantou

A teleconferencing learning environment has the potential to increase interaction between educators and learners. Interaction must be designed and continuously supported by the educator. When using teleconferencing in distance education, there is a set of psychological factors which may impact learner involvement. Τhe objective of this study was to identify what psychological factors influence the learner involvement in distance learning courses during teleconferencing sessions. A questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were used as the research tools. The results show that anxiety, learner satisfaction, and expectation of success affect learners and educators in teleconferencing learning environments. Finally, concerning the interconnection of the psychological factors and the effectiveness in teleconferencing sessions as it appears, the main premise of a successful teleconferencing session is laying down the groundwork for adequate planning and preparation taking into account all the influencing psychological factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237428952110068
Author(s):  
Kara S. Tanaka ◽  
Rageshree Ramachandran

In mid-March 2020, our institution removed most medical students from in-person clinical clerkships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Pathology responded by transitioning a fourth-year clinical elective to an all-remote format composed of synchronous didactics, daily clinical sign-out utilizing digital microscopy, and asynchronous learning materials. Thirty-seven medical students completed 2- or 4-week anatomic pathology electives tailored to meet their career goals and allowing them to progress toward graduation. Institutional Review Board approval was granted to survey students’ perceptions of engagement in the remote learning environment. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a standardized school-wide end-of-rotation survey, an online survey developed by the authors, and students’ self-directed learning goals. End-of-rotation data showed the remote pathology course performed well (4.88 of possible 5) when compared to all advanced clinical clerkships (4.51, n = 156 courses), all elective rotations (4.41, n = 50 courses), and the traditional in-person pathology elective (4.73). Core strengths in the virtual environment included high educational value, flexibility of content and schedule, organization, tailoring to an individual’s learning goals, and a positive education environment. Deficits included the inability to gross surgical specimens, inadequate observation or feedback about students’ skills, and impaired social connections. Areas for improvement included requests for in-person experiences and development of themed tracks for career exploration. Many aspects of anatomic pathology appear well-suited to the remote learning environment. While the remote model may not be sufficient for students pursuing careers in pathology, it can be adapted to increase nonpathologists’ understanding of interdisciplinary clinical collaboration with pathologists.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Olha Volodymyrivna Berestok ◽  

The article deals with the main strategies, methods and objectives of synchronous and asynchronous E-Learning Modes from a scientific and practical point of view. A detailed description of the synchronous and asynchronous online-learning at different historical stages is presented. The task of the distance education in light of the trends of modern society and its role in the implementation of professional and social aspirations of an student is shown. The basic problems of contemporary ICT, the difference and peculiarities of the synchronous and asynchronous methods of e-communication are determined. The general tendencies, content, sources, means, forms and methods of ICT implementation in terms of strict quarantine circumstances are highlighted. Certain ICT tools implemented by higher educational establishments to provide distance learning in the educational institutions are defined. The key ways of overcoming the contradictions that arise in the path of self-improvement of a student in the present are called. The application of ICT tools by the teaching staff as an essential and effective instrument to modernize the educational process is emphasized. Online-learning environments, namely synchronous and asynchronous ones, essential to provide distance education, are mentioned. Various forms of interaction involved in synchronous and asynchronous modes are pointed out. The current practices of synchronous and asynchronous e-learning/teaching in English language are established. The results of the case study of the effectiveness of a/synchronous environments towards better English language learning are evaluated. The analysis of the strategy used in distance learning is presented. The leading instruments and tools for synchronous and asynchronous online-learning are stressed on. The description of "high degree of interactivity" between participants who are separated from each other geographically and in time by asynchronous learning environments is provided. The basic measures for the introduction of distance learning technologies in the educational institution, which do not contradict the principles of pedagogy, but supplement and promote the development of the process of education, are formulated. The preferences of students as for methods used during remote education are noted. Basic challenges for teachers, institutions, and students, provided by both synchronous and asynchronous modes of distance learning, are described.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotes Anastasiades ◽  
Konstantinos Kotsidis ◽  
Christos Synnefakis ◽  
Alexia Spanoudaki

The closing of schools at the beginning of spring 2020 in Greece highlighted the need for school distance education to make up for lost teaching time and to maintain learners’ contact with the educational process and other members of the school community. However, the teachers needed support in this urgent situation since they did not have previous experience in school distance education. The Laboratory for Advanced Teaching Technologies for Lifelong Learning and Distance Education (E-Learning Lab) of the University of Crete, attempted to contribute with its own means to the support of these teachers. Within this framework, fast-pace, distance seminars were designed and implemented to support teachers on pedagogical issues of distance education. A total of 20 distance training seminars were conducted from 19March to 29April2020 in which more than 40000 teachers of primary and secondary education in Greece participated. The overall presentation and assessment of the training actions showed not only the enormous interest of the teaching community but also the need for such training actions with particular emphasis on the principles and the methodology of school distance education, synchronous and asynchronous learning environments, and the designing or planning of teaching scenarios based on the pedagogical approaches compatible with distance learning.


Author(s):  
Moti Frank

This chapter reviews the benefits and challenges of five approaches for integrating technology and teaching. Three of the models involve distance learning, while the two others utilize technology as a teaching aid. The first model is a lecture-based course also available through a Web site. The second is a fully online asynchronous course. The third is synchronous distance learning. The fourth combines a virtual laboratory and visualization with regular teaching, and the fifth fuses technology with different teaching methods. The pedagogical and operational aspects of the five approaches are discussed. The main pedagogical aspects discussed are: applying active and interactive learning principles, using multimedia, organizing the course and its lessons, and providing immediate feedback to students about their progress. By comparing the advantages and challenges the different models offer, teachers in K-12 will be able to match the appropriate model and its teaching strategy to their learning goals.


Author(s):  
Simon Cleveland ◽  
Greg Block

While online education continues to grow, virtual instructors face certain asynchronous uncertainties when it comes to knowledge exchange with students. These challenges are especially prevalent in the cybersecurity and programming domains. To counteract such uncertainties and minimize teaching deficiencies expected to occur in asynchronous learning environments, this chapter assesses knowledge factors that impact virtual knowledge transfer and absorption processes. Synchronicity framework is proposed to integrate knowledge-seeking behavior, knowledge properties, knowledge domains, knowledge types, knowledge tools, and technology synchronicity. A real-life case is provided to integrate the framework in practice.


Author(s):  
Murat Ertan Dogan

This chapter considers the influence of communication technologies and new media technology through the new trend of distance learning environment design. The new communication technologies like Web 2.0 applications involve information sharing and collaboration between users. These technologies bring the informal communication and learning styles to the forefront. Under favor of the new communication technologies' enabled networking, the main driver for the learning process is shifting from instructor-centered approaches to carefully designed learner experiences with robust interactions between learners and content. In this sense, the chapter also explores the role of academics and media professionals as distance-learning leaders and distance education experts through this transitional stage. The chapter focuses on how distance education experts take part in distance learning environment design and what the main skills for distance education experts as leaders, instructors, and designers in the age of networks are, through the discussions of theoretical approaches.


Author(s):  
Malika Sedra ◽  
Samir Bennani

The expansion of computer networks has at the same time given impetus to the distance learning environments. E-learning systems are also advanced and more efficient. However, these platforms offer such complex teaching functionalities that designers find themselves poorly equipped to succeed in their engineering processes. This article presents a tool that makes it easier for designers to produce educational content according to the Competency-Based Approach (CBA). We propose an implementation of the CBA after its modeling via ontology. Our module can be grafted to any author system oriented pedagogy based skills. We have advocated for Service for Oriented Architecture as a software solution to model our business process that consists of a set of interconnected services that are modeled and implemented. The proposed system is the result of a coordina-tion of, services, incorporating the order of competences explained by a distance education, which integrates and interacts according to an orchestration plan.


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