Synchronous
"real time"
"classroom replacement"
  • Less frustration (answers provided immediately)
  • Overcome isolation
  • Slightly more "social"
  • Better monitoring of reactions to information (confusion, understanding)
  • More motivating, encourage commitment

Examples:
Skype
Google Hangouts
Adobe Connect

Asynchronous
"any time"
"correspondance course"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asynchronous_learning
  • More thoughtful
  • More time refining contributions
  • Deeper investigation
  • Encourages proficiency
  • Mitigate scheduling issues/conflicts
  • Satisfies the self-motivated learners
  • Increases probability of getting lost or off track (if questions aren't answered right away or comprehension isn't assessed)
  • Probably requires Internet access (student can visit campus)

Examples:
Email
CMS (Canvas)
Blogs
Wikis
Discussion Boards

Video - where does it fit in?

Efficiency - Record your "standard" lecture - the intro lecture you've done a hundred times

Promotion - Record your "best" lecture - What's that one great lecture you give each semester?

Anticipation - Record your (short) lecture for an "anticipatory set"

Archive - Record your lectures for "review"

Creativity - Share learning creatively



Asynchronous vs. Synchronous --> Asynchronous AND Synchronous
  • Often a matter of degree as opposed to one or the other
  • Complement each other
  • Individuals vs. social participants
  • Using both to foster serendipitous discoveries