Types of Online Learning

Synchronous

• Allows for real time interaction. Students may ask questions, participate in discussion, and react to new material in a live setting.
• Students tend to develop a greater sense of connection with other students and with the professor, which can reflect positively in performance and retention.
• For students with generally open and flexible schedules, synchronous courses can actually make their online coursework easier to pursue, as it comes with a set schedule similar to face-to-face coursework.
• Students who have trouble focusing in online courses may benefit from synchronous courses; a set schedule creates accountability.

• The traditional scheduling of synchronous courses, with the courses requiring students attend at a set time, is not ideal for everyone. Students with busy professional schedules or demanding personal lives may have difficulty attending class at 2:00 P.M. every Tuesday.
• Some students enjoy the social dynamic of a traditional classroom, but others feel overwhelmed and stressed.
• A stronger internet connection is required for the two-way communication in synchronous courses, making it difficult for students with DSL or other lower-bandwidth connections.

Asynchronous

• Asynchronous courses provide flexibility. Students can do coursework when, where, and how they want.
• Students with demanding circumstances in their personal lives (work, children, family demands) find that asynchronous courses allow them to schedule coursework around their lifestyle, rather than their lifestyle around their courses.
• Asynchronous courses allow students to approach classes with more time to study and respond to material.
• Students who are not comfortable in group settings, find the social pressures of attending a class become a non-issue.

• Many students may find asynchronous courses difficult due to the sense of distance that comes with these courses. Without live interaction, asynchronous courses may feel tedious or dull to students who need a stronger sense of community.
• The flexibility of asynchronous courses can become a burden, requiring a higher level of personal accountability than synchronous courses. Students need to have a system in place to ensure they complete their coursework on time.
• Not everyone learns best through reading and remote interaction. Some students need live interaction, active discussion, and a more traditional model of teaching in order to learn.
• If a course requires group work or group projects, scheduling and collaborating with other students may become an issue.