Synchronous online classes require students and
instructors to be online at the same time. Lectures, discussions, and
presentations occur at a certain time, and all students must be present at
that time.
In contrast, asynchronous classes are not in real time. Instructors provide
materials, lectures, tests, and assignments that can be accessed by the student at a
time convenient for them. Students are usually given a deadline for assignments and discussions.
As with any format, there are pro and cons to both designs. Some students prefer synchronous courses because they need that immediate feedback. For others, asynchronous courses provide a more flexible way to learn. Some students need more time to think on a topic or may need more time to type responses than in a synchronous class.
Synchronous classes can use the following tools:
Chat rooms
Telephone
Video or Web conferencing
Broadcast
Virtual worlds
Asynchronous classes rely on:
E-mail
Discussion Boards
Blogs/Wikis
Virtual libraries
Social Networks
Dropbox
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