When comes to e-learning, most people will think of real time live video conferencing. This is called synchronous-learning. Hence, many have an impression that e-learning is all about learning using a video conferencing platform or tool.
Many has overlooked asynchronous e-learning.
What is asynchronous e-learning ?
Asynchronous learning involves coursework delivered via an e-learning platform. Learning materials such as prerecorded videos, e-book, quizzes and assignment are preprepared and uploaded into the learning platform In such cases, students ideally complete the course at their own pace, by using the internet merely as a support tool rather than volunteering exclusively for online interactive classes.
Why asynchronous e-learning is benefits learners ?
1. Learner controls the pace
Asynchronous learning allows the learner to access information at their own pace and at their own convenience. Since there is no finite time frame, the learner follows their own schedule and can move at the pace that is best suited to their learning needs.
2. Learner gets the best out of Combination of the knowledge of multiple experts
The knowledge in an online asynchronous course can be built by groups of people to pool together the best of the best in learning.
3. Learning can be built on and improved
Learners always get the latest lessons and material due to continuously refined and improved it as time goes on. In synchronous environments, a learning experience is finite and only happens at one place in time. Asynchronous learning has the ability to grow and evolve into better learning over time.
4. Allows individualization of learning
Each person is unique, and elearning allows us to cater to individual learning needs. The interactivity of asynchronous learning allows you to take the best from one-on-one learning in synchronous environment and create a highly personalized experience for the learner. Asynchronous learning provides the ability to optimize each learning experience for each individual, since digital learning supports all learning styles equally.
For real change in education to occur, traditional approaches to learning and development must give way to the advantages of modern digital learning experiences. Asynchronous learning is just one of many advantages of elearning over traditional instructor led training. Technology allows us to cater to all learning styles, adjust the pace, and enable mass customization, through scalable, localizable learning that supports aligning learning outcomes to business drivers to track measurable ROI.
Join us in reimagining the possibilities that online learning brings individual learners and organizations alike. How could an asynchronous experience improve your training and learning initiatives? Tell us in the comments below.
- Online collaboration and group work can very well be done asynchronously. Remember that hour-long meeting that could have easily been an email? The same thing goes for learning. While it is always good to have synchronous check-ins, office hours, and Q&As, most thinking and grappling with course content can be done asynchronously. Keep live meeting times short and use them to answer questions and run through difficult-to-write-down topics or issues.
- Whether students are choosing to learn online, or there is a circumstance that makes online learning their only choice, hour-long lectures or web meetings will quickly exhaust learners. If you absolutely must schedule synchronous meetings, keep them short and sweet and allow as much interaction between participants as is technologically possible.