Asynchronous courses are defined as online courses where the instructor, the learner,
and other participants are not engaged in the learning process at the same time. There
is no real-time interaction between students and instructors, and the content is created
and made available for later consumption. Learning is self-paced, and learners learn
and complete assignments during their own time. The instructor provides online learning
through a Learning Management System (for example D2L Brightspace or Canvas), and
instruction may include pre-recorded lectures and scheduled assignments for students.
Asynchronous Teaching & Learning Training
Differences between Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning
Synchronous & Asynchronous Delivery Explained
Asynchronous Learning Examples
Online courses through Learning Management Systems (D2L, Canvas, Schoology etc.)
Websites and Blogs
Pre-recorded video lessons or webinars – LinkedIn, Khan Academy, TEDx Videos, YouTube videos, instructor videos
Online forums and discussion boards
PowerPoint presentations with voice overs
Instructors can deliver content using their own recorded lectures (audio and video),
own textual content with graphics and audio, resources from YouTube, Khan Academy,
LinkedIn, open educational resources (OERs), and free resources from Creative Commons
(CC).
Engaging Students in an Asynchronous Course
Although not taking place in real time, asynchronous learning still allows the opportunity
for feedback and engagement. Learners are free to share thoughts and questions with
instructors and fellow learners, though they may not receive an immediate response.
Some activities that can keep students engaged are:
online group collaboration projects
weekly discussions
instructor recorded presentations
timely feedback on assignments
general and individual feedback on assessments
Asynchronous Teaching: Advantages for Instructors
Instructors can create accessible, useful and aesthetically pleasing courses and assignments with pre-recorded videos, existing free videos (YouTube) webinar recordings, audio files, text, online resource links etc. and can use these courses through different semesters with minor changes, if required.
Instructors can share courses that learners can access in their own time. It's not necessary to be online when your learners are, which means instructors can use their time for other important tasks.
Instructors can build their content one time and make it available for a lifetime.
Asynchronous courses are cost-effective for institutions and can be scaled up or down as necessary.
Instructors can get analytics and data about their courses and participants through
the LMS. They can find knowledge gaps and make adjustments to their material. This
can be done by extracting reports related to assignments, login history, participation
etc. and through feedback collected from students in the LMS.
Asynchronous Learning: Advantages for Students
Asynchronous learning offers lots of flexibility. It supports individualized learning
to students around their own schedules. Because asynchronous learning does not have
real-time interactions and learning is self-paced, students learn on their own time.
This makes it very convenient for individuals who are looking to complete a degree
or certificate but work full time or have other obligations.
Asynchronous courses can be taken online, from any location that has an internet or
Wi-Fi connection, and can be planned around other activities and responsibilities
(work, family, children, volunteer work etc.).
With asynchronous learning, learners have significantly more time to reflect on the material they are learning, which means they are likely to understand it more thoroughly. Although there’s usually a deadline in sight, asynchronous learners can progress at their own pace while keeping due dates and deadlines in mind.
Disadvantages of Asynchronous Learning
For asynchronous learning, instructors are assigned courses and learners are assigned
instructors. However, due to the instruction and learning not being face-to-face and
in real time, contact between learners and instructors may be limited. Answers to
queries cannot be given instantly (for example, learners may need to wait for an answer
to an email). This can be overcome if email response deadlines are defined in the
syllabi. Also, having a Q&A discussion forum accessible to all students gives learners
a space where common questions can be posted, answered, and discussed.
Due to a lack of student and instructor interaction, and limited student to student interaction, some students may feel isolated. Feeling isolated could lead to a lack of and engagement in courses. This can be combated through engaging Q&A forums, based on course content, which are reflective and require “discussions” and eliminate one-word, objective answers. Creating online group collaboration projects and using applications like Flip Grid, Padlet and Voice Thread are great options for introducing interaction between students and between students and instructors.
Asynchronous learning requires self-discipline from learners because it is learner
centric. Learners who lack self-discipline and organization skills may fall behind
on course material and assignment due dates. Using the calendar in their phones and
setting reminders on planners (hard copies and software options) can help students
organize their study time and remind them about assignment due dates.
Instructors and learners must have a reliable internet and Wi-Fi connection to teach
and learn online. Slow internet and Wi-Fi connection may hinder students from accessing
online study material and completing assignments online.
Instructors who don’t have a proper communication plan for their courses may lose that connection with their learners and hence isolate them, which may lead to a lack of motivation in students. Communication plays a big role in students being on track in online asynchronous learning. The following tools in most Learning Management Systems could help instructors maintain timely communication with their students, reminding students of their due dates, content related information and important announcements related to the course:
Announcement or News Tool (D2L)
Email tool (D2L)
Calendar tool with due dates (D2L)
Intelligent Agents (in D2L) for login reminders and assignment due dates
Discussion forums (D2L)
Audio video messaging related to course and assignments (D2L)
General Audio and video feedback for completed assignments (D2L)
Further Training
LIVE COURSE: Sustainable Course Design Workshop (SCDW)
Digital Learning Innovations invites KSU Faculty to participate in the Sustainable
Course Design (SCD) Workshop. This is an online, asynchronous, 3-week course designed
to provide participants with technical and pedagogical skills for designing and developing
a foundation course using effective course design elements.
By the end of this workshop, participants will have designed and developed the Start
Module, one module/unit of their choice, an accessible course syllabus, a communication
and feedback plan and a course alignment map for an upcoming course they have chosen
to work on.
This workshop focusses on sustainable design that supports building a base course that can be used to teach in any modality, because it incorporates “sustainable” features which can be used in various course modalities.
