Distance Delivery Modes

Synchronous

Synchronous sounds like just another unnecessarily fancy term, but these distinctions are important for several reasons because of the blurring of technologies that used to be separate and distinct. “Synchronous” essentially means real-time—all the students and instructor are in the same virtual space at the same time with the capability for simultaneous interaction. Chat and IM are synchronous activities. The majority of video-based distance learning classes are synchronous, and you can tell that in the Course Information by the fact that there will be a specific time designated for the class to meet. So, classes delivered by IHETS satellite or videoconferencing are almost by definition offered in real time. Classes designated for videotape or cable/public TV delivery are asynchronous (see below), and while “streaming” classes used to be entirely asynchronous, there are beginning to be opportunities for live streaming as well (usually with a live telephone conference or chat arrangement for real-time interaction). The best way to be sure is to look for a specific class meeting time identified near the bottom of the Course Information record.

Why should you care? For one thing, some people feel they learn best if they can actually see and hear others that are part of a class, even if class members are scattered around the globe rather than all being in a physical room. Especially for high-school students who have known nothing but classroom-based learning, synchronous classes may be the most comfortable way to ease into distance learning. For another thing, your high school may strongly prefer that kind of class because administrators can feel more comfortable with monitoring attendance and test-taking. In short, synchronous classes are most like the way you’re already studying.

Asynchronous

Asynchronous, on the other hand, refers to learning situations where people interact with the course content and one another at different times. Internet-based classes are almost by definition asynchronous, but so are classes where the primary content is delivered by some kind of stored media (these days it might be DVD rather than a videotape) or by cable or public TV (where the onus is on you to tape a segment or watch it when it’s broadcast). If you’ve joined online forums or bulletin board for special interests, you have a sense of what asynchronous interaction is about—though in formal classes, the interaction is more structured. You may be required to post three contributions to a special class discussion list (called a “threaded discussion”) about one week’s reading assignment, but you can log on and do that whenever it’s most convenient for you.

Many distance learners need this kind of flexibility because of their work schedules, and professors are sometimes pleasantly surprised by the high quality of interaction that occurs when students have time to think awhile before offering a comment or question. Asynchronous classes can also be a boon for high-school students in that you don’t have to worry about meshing some other school’s class times with those of your school (i.e., their classes run 50 minutes and start on the hour, while your classes run 45 minutes and start at 10 minutes after the hour).