Synchronous vs. Asynchronous E-learning

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous E-learning

Introduction

Workforce, these days, is expected to stay highly educated, adequately trained and to continually enhance their skills and acquire new ones by engaging themselves in lifelong and continuous learning. E-learning, in simple terms, can be defined as the process of learning and teaching online by making use of network technologies. E-learning is one of the most significant responses to rapid growing needs of education and personal development. Research shows that there are no significant differences between the outcomes of learning through conventional means and e-learning modes of delivery. In order to assess how e-learning initiatives could help in effectively addressing the educational needs of the organization, one must fully understand the limitations and benefits of different e-learning methodologies and techniques.

There are two basic types of e-learning strategies that are commonly employed by organizations: synchronous and asynchronous modes. Until recently, the preferred strategy for teaching and learning has been the asynchronous mode of delivery of educational contents. However, recent enhancements in technology and increased bandwidth capabilities have resulted into the growth and popularity of synchronous e-learning.

There are several organizations and educational institutions, which have demonstrated keen interest in designing and using both synchronous and asynchronous e-learning techniques, but have been reluctant to decide to give preference to one over the other due to the lack of an understanding of the advantages and limitations of the two. I, therefore, attempt to address this issue in this paper by focusing on the potential advantages and limitation of synchronous and asynchronous e-learning, while briefly explaining the basic concepts behind the two technologies.

Defining Synchronous and Asynchronous E-learning

Synchronous e-learning, usually supported by means of using chat, telepresence and videoconferencing, has the great potential to support e-learners in terms of developing learning activities and communities. Teachers and learners prefer synchronous mode of e-learning as the technology is more social and allow the teachers and learners to avoid fatigue and frustration by asking and responding to question in real time synchronous learning sessions, thereby helping the learners feel more like real time participants in the learning session rather than isolates.

Organizations can overcome isolation by allowing a more continued interaction and contact between the instructors and learners, particularly synchronously and by making the audience of the delivery aware of themselves as members of learning community rather than mere isolated receivers of what is communicated through the network and the computer.

Asynchronous e-learning, on the other hand, facilitated by different types of media designed to be used for asynchronous communication, such as discussion board or online forums and email, for the purpose of supporting work and learning relations between the teacher and the learner, even if it is not possible for both of them to be online at the same time. Asynchronous mode of delivery, therefore, offers a great degree of flexibility in terms of time and availability as the intended recipient does not need to be online in order to be able to receiver of delivery, rather he or she could ...