Short version: As a general rule, Synchronous Learning occurs when students learn the same thing at the same time, whether online or offline.

In the definition of Asynchronous Learning, I mentioned that it occurs when students learn the same thing at different times. Obviously, there are more details involved, but that's the main idea in most digital classrooms and related learning environments. The big idea is to be “together” (an idea that often implies “the same”).

What is Synchronous Learning?

Synchronous learning refers to when students learn the same thing at the same time, whether through a lecture (online or in-person), for example. Synchronous learning is a form of “group learning” that occurs in a unified manner in terms of time and space, that is, students generally learn the same or similar content at more or less the same time and usually in the same place. .

Unlike asynchronous learning, synchronous learning is characterized by the theme of unity and all the pros and cons that come with a large group of people doing something together. Whether we consider these elements as characteristics or limitations, that is, time, place and pace (when learning occurs, where it occurs and who controls the pace of that learning), it is a question of how to frame it all: your biases and experiences. , Inter alia. But in short, that's the definition of synchronous learning.

Online and In-Person Synchronous Learning

Traditionally, asynchronous and synchronous learning are considered types of online learning, but most physical, in-person classrooms that include lectures, group discussions, and collaborative activities are technically “synchronous.” This contrasts with a self-directed learning environment in which students learn “independently” of each other, especially the same content, which would technically be asynchronous.

Wikipedia explains that “students can watch a live stream of a class while simultaneously participating in a discussion. Synchronous learning can be facilitated by having students and instructors participate in a class through an online video conferencing tool. These synchronous experiences can be designed to develop and strengthen relationships between the instructor and the students and between the students themselves, which can be a challenge in distance education programs.”

While historically most online learning was necessarily asynchronous, the growth of computer technology, including bandwidth, video streaming, messaging and chat, social media, and more, has allowed online learning become more synchronous. This brings it closer to the in-person instruction taking place in most K-12 schools and districts today. Synchronous online learning has disadvantages (including new dynamics of student participation, classroom management, and personalization of learning), but also advantages, such as new definitions of community, new possibilities for background discussion, and the ability to record and reproduce learning experiences over time.

In a later post, we will expand on examples of synchronous learning, but some examples include quizzes, most classroom activities, classroom lectures (online or in-person), face-to-face group discussions, collaborative project-based learning, debates, Socratic discussions, timed learning sessions or formal assessments (tests) and more.