How well do you collaborate in asynchronous and synchronous online environments whether for learning or for professional contexts? Regardless of who you are or your level of technological expertise, online collaboration is expanding and simplifying making it easier for most people to find and use the tools necessary for connecting with others. I truly enjoy working with new technology and exploring the capabilities that lie therein. I fully embrace asynchronous and synchronous tools in online environments.
So which do you prefer? Asynchronous or synchronous online collaboration? Some educators say one is superior to the other and that the “lesser” should be abandoned. I say, “why choose one over the other when we can have both?” I feel that both asynchronous and synchronous collaboration and learning have a place. Flexibility of time and space necessitates the use of asynchronous communication with tools such as blogs, discussion forums, and document libraries. The need for deeper connections, vocal nuance, visual cues and facial expressions all warrant a need for synchronous collaboration using tools such as Skype, Blackboard Collaborate, Google Video, or GoToMeeting.
In my experience working as part of a group online, I found that a greater sense of connectedness arose among the group members from using synchronous tools such as Skype. We were able to verbally talk together as though we were sitting in a room together. We added this to the synchronous interactivity of Google documents so that we could talk and write together in the same document at the same time. Had we not used Skype to actually talk with one another, I do not feel we would have been able to connect as much on a personal level as well as quickly and easily talk through the nuances of our project. During the weeks the group worked on the project, basic asynchronous tools such as email were still vitally important to continued communication throughout the process.
In short, I appreciate and advocate the use of both asynchronous and synchronous communication methods in the online environment. If you ever find you are unfamiliar with a new tool, do not be afraid to search Google for how-to videos. A world of knowledge is forever at our fingertips!
I think you have the attitude to be successful in many challenging situations. I think you will be more accepting and more willing to change. Technology will change and it is likely it will change fast! I appreciate your openness and willingness to embrace the new, whether it be synchronous or asynchronous.
ReplyDeleteI prefer a traditional class blended with online meetings. It meets all my needs. Since this is impossible with our program because we do not meet traditionally because there are no intensives, I would have to say that I prefer a blend of asynchronous and synchronous. In terms of a lesser method, I say keep them both as well. The reason why is because some people could say visual learning is better and some would say auditory, but getting rid of one entirely would be detrimental to learning. They both have a place. The same is true for synchronous and asynchronous learning. Flexibility of learning is enhanced with tools such as blogs, forums, etc. They add a value that is not present in a face to face or synchronous classroom. They are valuable asynchronous tools that allow for reflection, knowledge gain, and serve as a way to get to know who your classmates are in terms of their course of study. I would like to add blogs to my traditional classroom though. I feel the blogs help students to become reflective learners which is beneficial in school, work and in daily life. Synchronous tools help bring the isolated world of online learning back to interaction with others! That is why I enjoy synchronous learning. I miss having friends from my college classes and this semester has allowed me to get to know the other students in my classes more than ever before in an online learning environment. I really appreciate that our professors have us blog and have online meetings via Elluminate and Second Life. They have increased my class satisfaction and level of connectedness with my classes.
I like that you combined Skype and Google Docs. I really believe that would have increased your effectiveness in communication and collaboration. Being able to talk before editing a document is very beneficial. Synchronous and asynchronous can co-exist. It happens successfully with good planning occurs. I look at utilizing the two methods of learning as being a form of differentiation for online learning and it is essential to all classes.
Your post was well written. I am very impressed and I like that one paragraph provided an example and the other was reflective. Your high quality writing made for enjoyable reading. Thanks for sharing.
As I thought over the learning environments I found uses for both synchronous and asynchronous. I feel there are times when students need time to think over the presentations and integrate those into a meaningful connections in their own lives. There are other times when brainstorming, collaboration on projects, question answer times, or the material may require face to face experiences for the class. Each environment is beneficial in different situations. I agree that there is no need to choose when you can reap the benefits of both.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that asynchronous and synchronous learning is not a choice we have to make. We now have technology available to meet online synchronously in addition to face to face synchronous meetings. There are some activities that naturally lend themselves to synchronous meetings, yet there are many that are adaptable for asynchronous learning.
ReplyDeleteThis term has been better for me since I am able to get to know other students through Second Life and Blackboard Collaborate sessions. However, I am learning a lot from discussion board posts, too.
I think you have "hit the nail on the head" concerning this topic as we can have "the best of both worlds."
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your comments.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded again of a big, but simple aspect of synchronous collaboration... convenience! Just as the invention of the telephone was a new convenience over needing to send a written letter, so is a verbal Skype session over email. For example, I can spend 5 minutes on Skype with you to clarify something, but I might spend 5 days emailing back and forth with you to get to the same conclusion. I am sure you understand what I mean. :) And don't get me started with texting. Ha!