Asynchronous versus Synchronous Communication

This is my project outline to this point. It is still very much a work in progress. I have found several articles but am not satisfied with the scope of all of them. Some meet my needs well others not quite. Exploring this topic is really opening my eyes to the ability of e-learning to provide great depth in the learning process. Because of it asynchronous and synchronous abilities E-learning seems to be uniquely capable of providing a highly effective constructivist learning experience.

1. Asynchronous Communication
a. Allows anytime, anywhere education
i.Provides immense flexibility to working professionals, parents,
students living too far from a traditional university
ii. Provides an ideal environment for constructivist approach to learning
b. Allows powerful student-student interactions
c. Discussion Boards
i. Provides time to reflect prior to engaging in class discussion
ii. Anonymous nature allows ‘shy’ students more confidence when engaging in
class discussion
d. Collaborative assignments
i. Have the power to create a strong feeling of community in an environment
that many report as bringing feelings of isolation
2. Synchronous Communication
a. Live chats and live classes
i. Provide the opportunity to replicate a traditional classroom for content
instruction
ii. Can help create a strong feeling of connection between the class and
teacher
b. Skype and other conferencing technologies
i. Can create strong connections among
1. class members and instructors
2. among collaborative groups

References

Er, E., Özden, M.Y., & Arifoğlu, A. (2009) Livelms: A blended e-learning environment: A model proposition for integration of asynchronous and synchronous e-learning. The International Journal of Learning, 16(2), 449-460.

Hrastinski, S. (2007). Participating in Synchronous Online Education. (Doctoral dissertation, Lund University). Retrieved from http://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile& recordOId=599311&fileOId=600490

Hrastinski, S. (2008). A study of asynchronous and synchronous e-learning methods discovered
that each supports different purposes. EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 4, 51-55.

Miller, W. & Webster, J.K. (1997) A comparison of interaction needs and performance of distance learners in synchronous and asynchronous classes. Paper presented at American Vocational Association Convention.
Skylar, A.A. (2009). A Comparison of Asynchronous Online Text-Based Lectures
and Synchronous Interactive Web Conferencing Lectures, Issues in Teacher Education, 18(2), 69-84