Examining Asynchronous & Synchronous Strategies For Active & Engaged Learning

Description  Challenge - How to use asynchronous & synchronous activities effectively to meet your learning objectives Help faculty overcome the tendency to focus on the location of class (online or face-to-face) rather than the mode of instruction or interaction best aligned with learning objectives Force faculty to think beyond “what do I do?” to examine “WHY do I do what I do?” Emphasis on targeting learning objectives rather than content coverage Understanding the unique strengths/advantages inherent in synchronous and asynchronous learning strategies Key Takeaway Advances in technology are blurring the boundaries between in-class and out-of-class learning activities. In this webinar, you will explore a decision-making process for determining the most appropriate mode of interaction (asynchronous versus synchronous) for creating an active, engaged learning experience. Overview Frequently, best practices in teaching and learning are based on the mode in which a class is offered (face-to-face or online). While this has been historically useful, advances in technology have created instructional and interaction opportunities that blur the boundary between physical and online classrooms. Just as asynchronous activities can be incorporated as out-of-class activities to support face-to-face classes, synchronous interactions can be utilized as a component of an online course. As such, to create engaging learning experiences, faculty must think beyond class type (face-to-face or online) to focus on the mode of teaching and learning (synchronous or asynchronous) that will most effectively meet their learning objectives. Asynchronous activities are particularly well-suited for learning objectives that require research, development, or individual practice; in contrast, synchronous activities are best for targeting difficult concepts in which students need immediacy or guidance. In this webinar, we will explore a decision-making process for selecting synchronous or asynchronous activities as a function of what you want your students to know, value, or do. Utilizing Bloom’s Taxonomy as a foundation, you will evaluate individual learning objectives to align instructional goals with the mode of interaction to create an active, engaged classroom experience. Objectives Understand the distinction between an instructional paradigm and a learning paradigm Integrate course blueprinting to focus on learning objectives and outcomes Apply decision-making processes to instructional activities and objectives to determine the best mode of delivery Examine the unique strengths of synchronous and asynchronous instruction Align the mode of delivery (asynchronous or synchronous) to meet learning objectives Shift instructional focus from location (classroom vs. online) to emphasize mode (synchronous vs. asynchronous) Who Should Attend Faculty (full-time, adjunct, campus, online) Instructional Designers Faculty Development Any educator interested in learning more about instructional technology