Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning and the Role of Technology
Technology allows for a powerful expansion of learning, whether it be synchronous or aynchronous. In either case the opportunities for educators and students to expand knowledge are great. Technology allows teachers to reach places that wouldn’t normally have access to the material being taught and allows students to modify their education to meet their own schedules. Either way, computers, the internet, podcasts, all provide a great deal of opportunity for education to be taken advantage of. The key in the employment of technology is to avoid a one size fits all paradigm of the implementation of technology.
Education is different from person to person. While one person might do better in an environment where they can sit in their pajamas and drink coffee at two in the morning while watching the latest lecture from their professor, others might find this a little too loose and not find the time to follow through with their course requirements. They simply do better sitting in a classroom as opposed to their living room. We see fights against a one size fits all approach to education around the country today with standardized tests. Educators with a focus on the implementation of technology must also remain vigilant against the same model.
Many will argue that with the advent of smart phones, podcasts, video on demand, etc. that there is no longer a need for anything other than asynchronous education. Students should be allowed to complete their educational career whenever they see fit. It should be remembered though that sometimes the face to face interaction of the classroom is beneficial to some students. For this reason synchronous environments, even technology based synchronous environments are beneficial to some. There might be an argument that sitting a classroom is different from watching a teacher on a video monitor and there might be some validity to that argument. It should be remembered though that this video monitor and camera that provides real time interaction for students allows calculus to be taught, explained, questioned, and clarified as though the teacher were right there.
It should also be remembered though that not all students function well at 8 am, but instead function better at 2 am. It is with these students in mind that asynchronous environments are beneficial. Teachers and students work on their schedules not an artificially imposed schedule of work. Here’s where all of those improvements in technology, like podcasts, video on demand, and smartphones really shine. Even where gadgets appear to shine, proponents of tec hnology need to remember that while they fight the good fight against high stakes tests and other one size fits all approaches to education, this fight needs to be carried on with the same vehemence with regard to the fight over synchronous vs. asychronous environments.
Jon,
You have some powerful words about this topic. I feel strongly about implementing a one size fits all learning environment. Although we are all students in the same course, we are not clones. We do not share a brain and neither do students in other learning environments. it bothers me that we expect all students to learn the same way and past the same test. I especially am against the one-size fits all, only pass the grade if you pass the test agenda we see in many educational organizations for k-12 systems. Students should have alternate opportunities to learn and demonstrate the knowledge they have learned. How does this connect with the learning style? If learners are taught in the best method that aids in their increased knowledge, they would not struggle through the learning process. I am not saying it will end all learning deficiencies, but it will decrease the learning frustrations. I believe learner, even young ones, should have an opportunity to select which learning style best suites them. I have heard that new methods of instruction has been implemented in some school systems. This is an excellent start. With the growing technology, students should have the opportunity to participate in such environments. I do believe once students go beyond the k-12 system, they have more of a choice and can determine how they prefer to learn. But our system, even for post graduate work, stems around a one-size fits all testing system. However, if the learning is provided in the preferred method, students will feel more of the confidence to past their test. Your blog really got me fired up. Thanks for reminding me of the passion I feel for this topic!
-Jolandra
Jonathan,
Well thought out comments on the one size fits all approach to education vs the synchronous model that may not always fit all! I struggled with a first period algebra class in 9th grade that did not work well for me! I have never forgotten it, either!