What is asynchronous learning? And how does it differ from synchronous learning? Which one to favor?
We explain to you!
The difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning
Synchronous learning involves real-time participation by learners and the instructor. It typically takes place through live courses, webinars, video conferencing sessions, or virtual classrooms.
Here are some key characteristics of synchronous learning:
- Real-time interaction: Learners can interact directly with the instructor and other participants, ask questions, and receive immediate answers.
- Structured and planned: Synchronous learning sessions are generally scheduled at specific times, which provides a clear structure for learners.
- Live collaboration: Learners can working together on activities, group discussions or projects in real time, thus promoting social and collaborative learning.
- Immediate feedback: Instructors can provide instant feedback on learner performance, allowing learning to be adjusted and improved in real time.
Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, takes place independently, with no specific time or location constraints. Learners can access course content at their own pace.
Here are the main characteristics of asynchronous learning:
- Temporal flexibility: Learners can access learning materials at any time that is convenient for them, allowing greater flexibility in balancing personal and professional constraints.
- Learning autonomy: Learners have total control over their learning process. They can manage their progress, go back to more difficult concepts, and take the time needed to process the information.
- Access to diverse content: Asynchronous learning can include a variety of resources such as videos, e-learning modules, written documents, discussion forums, which promotes a multi-modal approach adapted to different learning styles.
- Self-assessment: Learners can self-assess using quizzes, interactive exercises, or formative assessments integrated into online learning platforms.
Synchronous and asynchronous learning: the best of both worlds
Learners who embark on online training are often faced with a choice of tools that they are not always familiar with. As a result, they are often tempted to choose only one, which may lead them to follow an approach that is not necessarily adapted to their profile, learning style, or personal constraints.
However, research shows us that combining synchronous and asynchronous learning is logical and beneficial. Numerous studies confirm the positive effects of this combination on learner outcomes. For example, a study conducted in 2019 at the University of South Carolina by Rachel Fowler showed that when synchronous courses were integrated into asynchronous modules, students got better grades and the dropout rate dropped significantly, from 25.5% to only 9%.
By combining synchronous and asynchronous learning, one can benefit from the advantages of each format while mitigating their respective disadvantages. For example:
- The isolation of asynchronous learning can be alleviated by allowing collaboration with other learners during synchronous courses.
- The flexibility offered by asynchronous modules makes it possible to overcome the rigidity of synchronous live learning.
- The time constraints associated with synchronous learning can be overcome by adding asynchronous formats, giving learners more time to explore the concepts they are struggling with.
There are as many models for combining synchronous and asynchronous learning as there are online courses. To determine the right mix between the two, it will therefore be necessary to start by thinking about what knowledge and skills learners already have, and what they want to acquire through the company's training process.
