As schools ramp up remote learning, the question is whether it's better to learn in real time | Local - Ottawa Citizen

Joanne Laucius, journalist on Ottawa Citizen explains, "Synchronous" versus "asynchronous" will matter as school boards roll out online learning plans in an already-chaotic environment.

Parents of elementary and secondary students will have to add two more words to their pandemic lexicon: synchronous and asynchronous.

These words describe the two ways students will be learning online this fall.

“Synchronous” is essentially learning in real time. A face-to-face classroom is synchronous learning. So is online learning that involves using text, video or audio to connect a teacher and students in real time.

“Asynchronous” learning does not have to be done at any particular place or time. Students can watch pre-recorded lessons, work on assigned tasks or take part in online discussion boards.

The distinction between synchronous and asynchronous will matter as school boards roll out online learning plans in an already-chaotic environment...

While parents appear to prefer synchronous learning, it is not necessarily the best way to learn online, said Beyhan Farhadi, a high school teacher who has been teaching online courses since 2010 and is now a post-doctoral visitor in the faculty of education at York University.
Read more...

Source: Ottawa Citizen