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

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

What is Synchronous Learning?

Synchronous learning refers to when students learn the same material 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 way in terms of time and space; that is, students generally learn the same or similar content more or less at 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. If we consider these elements as features or constraints—namely time, place, and pace (when learning happens, where it happens, and who controls the pace of that learning)—it becomes a matter of how to frame everything: your biases and experiences, among other factors. But in summary, that is the definition of synchronous learning.

Synchronous Learning Online and In Person

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 one another, especially the same content, which would technically be asynchronous.

Wikipedia explains that “students can view 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 videoconferencing tool. These synchronous experiences can be designed to develop and strengthen relationships between the instructor and students and among the students themselves, which can be a challenge in distance education programs.”.

While historically most online learning was necessarily asynchronous, the growth of computing technology, including bandwidth, video streaming, messaging and chat, social networks, and more, has allowed online learning to become more synchronous. This brings it closer to the in-person instruction carried out in most primary and secondary schools and districts today. Synchronous online learning has drawbacks (including new student participation dynamics, classroom management, and personalization of learning), but also advantages, such as new definitions of community, new possibilities for backchannel discussion, and the ability to record and replay 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.