Synchronous and/or Asynchronous Teaching and Learning

What is Synchronous and Asynchronous?

Synchronous learning is when the students and instructor interact with each other and engage with the course content in real time (e.g. speaking face-to-face over Zoom or using a Chat channel to text with students).

Asynchronous learning is when the students and instructor interact with each other and engage with the course content at different times (e.g. Discussions, Quizzes, emails, video content). Asynchronous learning is often described as learning that can occur at any time and any place.

Which Should I Use?

Like most educational design considerations, this depends on a range of factors such as the learners, the learning outcomes, and the context. 

Advantage Disadvantage When to Use
Synchronous
  • Similar to face-to-face, allows for immediate response
  • Immediate feedback 
  • Can be more motivating for students to participate due to the interactive activities that may take place as well as the instant accountability students feel
  • Students must participate at a specific time (limited flexibility)
  • Not much time to reflect and respond
  • Quieter students don't always get an opportunity to express themselves
  • Need good access to an internet connection and device
  • Can widen the divide if students don't have good internet, a good space to participate, caregiving responsibilities, etc
  • For real-time feedback
  • To add to the sense of community 
  • For activities that are more appropriate for immediate interactions
  • Q&As, and to clarify information, feedback, or ideas

 

 
Asynchronous
  • Allows for discussions over an extended time (time for reflection)
  • Allows all students to form posts and contribute
  • Easier to go back and look at answers/responses
  • Can work at own time and place
  • Gives students time to explore the topic they are learning about and think critically before answering questions or joining online discussions
  • Can be harder to build community
  • Students must wait for feedback and response
  • Can be harder to motivate and be accountable
  • For activities where students don't need to interact in real-time (e.g. long lectures can be recorded and students access when they have time)
  • For activities where you want students to reflect and think deeply about a topic before responding

 

Further Considerations

  • Think about the activity. Can, and should, it be done in another format? For example, a Discussion can take place synchronously and asynchronously. If you would like students to reflect and explore readings or ideas over an extended timeframe, asynchronous would be good. Do you want to provide immediate feedback? Then synchronous it is. 
  • Longer lectures can be recorded for students to watch on their own time. This means valuable synchronous class time can be used for activities where immediate feedback and further exploration can occur. 
  • Consider students when deciding on the length of time on a Zoom session (3 hours can be very long) and whether to require cameras to be turned on (not everyone is comfortable with this). 

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