Exploring Online Learning Through Synchronous and Asynchronous Instructional Methods

Abstract

Teaching and learning in the online environment are challenging. Students and instructors must employ technological tools and strategies to be successful. Merely having a computer and software does not equate to being technologically literate in the 21st century world of work. Learning how to incorporate virtual reality games, webcams, video conferencing, and brainstorming platforms such as Padlet, Bubbl.us, Zoom, Twitter, Instagram, interactive whiteboards, chat rooms, YouTube, and screencasting videos is encouraged. Polleverywhere, Socrative, and Flubaroo are a few assessments to investigate interest by examining the world of synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. The digital natives of today's classrooms are the future employees of tomorrow's real-life world of work; therefore, organizations must take control of the situation and prepare workers to meet future job demands. The question of how to do so effectively will be answered in this chapter.

Asynchronous Tools for Interaction and Collaboration

“…At a basic level, the elements of a learning community include the instructors, learners, and the instructional information (Davidson-Shivers et al, 2018) and given Northrup's (2002) fourth interaction type, the environment itself. To form a learning community, they provide not only cognitive presence from shared ideas and experiences, but also may form a shared or social presence by sharing skills and developing mutual relationships (Gast as cited in Mahoney & Hall, 2020).…”

“…However, even when the advancement in the technologies is promising, it is only when appropriate technologies are used along appropriate instructional strategies that the potential of student engagement can be effective (Bozhurt et al, 2015;Clark & Mayer, 2016a, 2016b. Thus, asynchronous tools can also be considered as the instructional/learning strategies used to support student learning in such environments (Mahoney & Hall, 2020).…”

“…The advancements in technologies such as interactive whiteboards, webcams, web simulations, and video conferencing made such things possible. New media continue to be developed and used (Mahoney & Hall, 2020). The main technologies currently in use are as follows:…”

“…Strategies are the design elements for individual and group activities to align with objectives; they also may be ways the instructor communicates about the content assignments and assessment methods (Rios, Elliott, & Mandernach, as cited in Mahoney & Hall, 2020). In other words, strategies are used as tools to meet student needs, build on their capabilities, and strengthen their skills to interact and collaborate with others (Davidson-Shivers et al, 2018).…”

“…To support the development of a shared community and student learning in such environments, the design elements and strategies for individual and group activities should be aligned with course objectives and the ways instructors communicate about the course goals, procedures, contents, assignments, and assessment methods (Rios, Elliott, & Mandernach, as cited in Mahoney & Hall, 2020). Such strategies among others might be used to not only meet student needs, but support collaborative efforts as well.…”