Synchronous online learning tools are those tools that require students and instructors to be online at the same time for interaction. Synchronous online learning requires that students and instructors need to be in our online classroom at the same time. There are many different kinds of synchronous tools to use in an online environment. Some of the best synchronous tools, in my opinion, are instant messaging and video conferencing. I prefer instant messaging because it is a less intrusive way to communicate with my students.
In the internet age, synchronous online teaching tools make it possible to deliver online lectures (or tutorials or workshops) from a remote location. In this post you’ll learn about different synchronous online teaching tools examples, including poll tools , file sharing tools , speech-to-text software and more.
Synchronous teaching tools are used in online environments to facilitate real-time communication between instructors and students. This type of teaching takes place in an online environment in real time using audio and/or video communication over the internet. Synchronous teaching tools typically require a reliable internet connection and can be used from almost any location where a connection is available.
During a real-time, online lesson, the instructor and students meet via web-conferencing tools at scheduled days and times. Instructors and students share information, ideas and learning experiences in a virtual course environment. Synchronous sessions allow you to check in with your students on a regular basis. Breakout rooms are an especially good way for you to speak with students, since they allow students to ask questions in a smaller setting.
Generally, when looking at transitioning to online teaching, there are several options to consider and many decisions to make. For example, you can try to find an online substitute for activities that you typically do with your students in the class. The other option is to introduce something new or different, because online teaching makes it possible or necessary. And yet another option is to reluctantly drop something that you would like to do but choose not to because the online teaching just wouldn’t do it justice. Choose what feels comfortable for yourself and for your students!
Technical Requirements
Participation in synchronous courses requires students to have reliable, high-speed internet access, a computer (ideally with a webcam), and a headset with a microphone. You might want to include in your syllabus the technical requirements for your course while also being open to allowing for accommodations/alternative assessments if a student cannot meet the technical requirements.
Ways to Use Synchronous Learning
- Process teaching – show your students how to work a program or tackle a problem live. You can also show them where to find resources you’ve uploaded to Brightspace and demonstrate your expectations for an assignment. Immerse your class in a new environment that allows significantly greater participation and room to bounce around new ideas.
- Remote guest speaker – have a specialist in the field guest lecture and contribute to your students’ knowledge without having to arrange for them to be physically present in your classroom.
- Online office hours – supplement your office hours with pre-scheduled online hours. Address all your students’ questions in one setting, while still being able to collaborate privately with TAs to keep them on the same page. With your entire class logged in to a pre-scheduled session, get your message across instantly to all participants without having to repeat yourself.
- Make up for distance – with Voice Over Internet (VoIP) functionality, you can see the person you’re talking to, but even if you’re not equipped with a webcam, you can still speak to them. Users without access to a computer with a microphone can still join in by calling the session phone number.
- Let students help you teach – one main concern in a traditional classroom setting has been the inability for students to communicate with the instructor to verify their comprehension of materials. Encourage student input and offer bonus points for greater participation.
Here are some ways to incorporate synchronous teaching into your online course—and some educational app tools for each topic.
1. Use synchronous teaching tools to build connections
Arguably the biggest socio-emotional challenge with online learning is the sense of isolation. When students only interact with other classmates or the professor via a discussion forum or emails, it can be easy for students to feel like they are ‘just a number.’
Creating a cohort or small discussion groups fosters a positive social context for learning. Try having students participate in an icebreaker activity or conversation on the web conferencing app Zoom. Even if the cohort only meets synchronously once and communicates via asynchronous mediums such as discussion boards, chat rooms, and emails the rest of the time, at least they have faces they can put to names.
In light of campus closures across the globe in March 2020 due to COVID-19, many professors turned to Zoom to continue live classes. Zoom attempts to replicate the experience of a traditional classroom with live video streaming, screen sharing, breakout rooms for group interaction and discussion, and a live chat feature for questions to be answered as they come in. Google Hangouts also boasts many of Zoom’s features, such as instant messaging, video calling and built-in screen sharing.
2. Provide support via online tools
Responding to emails can be a frustrating task for many jobs, and especially for a professor the week before an assignment is due. Trying to get through a flood of emails can seem like a daunting and even unproductive task. It can sometimes take several emails to explain something that could have been resolved in five minutes of a ‘face-to-face’ conversation via video conferencing software. For this reason, it’s essential that your synchronous teaching involves online support.
Even in the midst of distance education, students can still make meaningful contact with their professors. You can set up online office hours by being available on Google Hangouts so students can initiate a video chat with you. You can even have a video conference feed going the entire hour and students can join the call and exit once their query is resolved.
Another way to provide synchronous support is through a live Q&A on social media. Many organizations, such as the Ontario College of Teachers have live conversations organized by a central hashtag on Twitter. Using a unique hashtag for your course—such as #canlithelp if you’re teaching Canadian Literature—allows students to send you tweets at a pre-specified time, organized through the hashtag. Although Twitter has a 280 character count, social media facilitates a digestible, informal way for students to reflect on their learning experience in your course. It can also keep the conversation going if students continue to use the hashtag during times outside the Q&A period.
Twitter provides unrestricted access to experts in instructional design and online teaching. You may wish to browse through hashtags such as #onlineteaching and #instructionalcontinuity for support designing your online course around your class’ needs in order to prioritize student success.
3. Facilitate small group discussions via video and instant messaging apps
Synchronous learning helps students stay socially and cognitively connected to the course. Organize small group discussions for your students. It helps them delve deeper into the material in a real-time conversation with fellow students instead of replying to a forum or trying to figure it out by themselves. Groups can hold a video conference and discuss course material using any of the conferencing apps already mentioned, or set up an ongoing conversation through an app.
WhatsApp, for example, permits both synchronous and asynchronous discussions. Students can video conference with peers in real time, which replicates elements of a traditional classroom. It’s equally important to remember that not all students are in a position where they can turn on their webcam to discuss material. WhatsApp also permits asynchronous communication where students receive notifications on their mobile devices—compatible with Android, iOS and Windows—and can respond right away. Likewise, students can still message back and forth at their own pace.
4. Offer your students multiple assessment options
In theory, technology in higher education should allow professors to make online courses more interesting and supportive of diverse learners. Many courses designed for blended learning—where a portion of the course is taught in person and another part online—still favor particular types of assignments like written reports, essays or multiple choice tests. Some institutions are settling on a fully online approach for the fall while others are considering a blended route. Either way, it’s important to consider all the ways that synchronous learning provides you with more assessment options.
Instead of posting on a discussion forum or handing in an essay, students could deliver a webinar to a small group of students—or the whole class depending on the size. Video conferencing with YouTube Live lets students share their computer screen during the webinar, adjust the volume or video of themselves or other participants and respond or post links in the chat sidebar. In addition, YouTube Live records the whole session for up to eight hours and then saves it to students’ YouTube channels so they can edit or post when they’re ready.
Teaching a STEM course online? Students can perform a live demonstration, simulation, or experiment with the MediaSite video platform or any of the other apps or programs already mentioned. MediaSite has customizable features depending on what you would like to record—whether it’s a large event, personal recording, or a meeting. It can also be integrated with many popular LMS providers including Sakai, Moodle, and Blackboard.
Types of synchronous tools
- Live Chat
- Similar to e-mail or text messaging, live chats allow participants to engage in a written conversation at the same time. Chats are found on a variety of platforms such as Slack or Google Chat. Some of these tools are considered to be semi-synchronous, because it is possible to send others an instant message even when they are not online.
- Web Conferencing
- Also known as video chatting or calling, web conferencing allows you to activate your computer’s microphone and camera. With the help of Blue Jeans, Zoom, or Canvas telephone/video, you can connect your device with others via internet connection.
- Live Stream
- This tool allows you to broadcast any media to your participants. Live stream delivers video, image, and sound simultaneously with your own playback without others needing to download content files. You may choose to live stream lectures, current events, or presentations.
- Online Whiteboarding
- If you are someone who enjoys writing on the whiteboard/chalkboard during class, this is a great tool to utilize. Online whiteboarding tools provide an online version of a whiteboard that participants can write on, post images, or draw graphics to support your course content. This tool is interactive and when accessed synchronously, can promote classroom engagement.
When should I use a synchronous tool?
- Generally our recommendation is to use synchronous tools where appropriate for your particular instructional goal. The challenges around large synchronous sessions in particular (scheduling, time differences, equity in access/technology) are profound enough to use it sparingly, where it can make a difference. Do students really all need to be online while you give a lecture? Probably not. Instead, consider recording lectures and using synchronous sessions for Q&A and/or community building.
- Instead of having large group synchronous sessions, encourage students to schedule small-group synchronous sessions. You can even choose to set up groups by time zone.
- Office hours is a great way to connect with students in a synchronous setting.
- Make sure to look at some of our practical tips to help make synchronous sessions more effective.
Asynchronous Learning
Asynchronous learning tools give students greater control on their learning.
The tools shown below are convenient, highly interactive, and allow learners to move at their own pace. Some of these tools are available for free.
Asynchronous Learning Tools:
- Flipgrid: This remote learning tool allows educators to post video prompts. Students can respond and view their classmates´ responses. This video tool is free for educators and allows a convenient way for everyone to interact on their schedule.
- Lumos Learning: Lumos StepUp provides skills mastery, targeted remedial practice and guided practice for self-paced learning. The empathetic learning program is powered by AI & ML to provide personalized recommendation for every student. To request a free demo or to run a free pilot, visit: www.lumoslearning.com/digital-learning
- StudyStack: This tool allows teachers and students to create and share flashcards. Presented in an interactive format, reviewing essential vocabulary or, and Once the call is complete, they can exit. For more info about this free tool, please visit www.studystack.com.
- ClassFlow: This lesson delivery software is hosted in the cloud. It provides a collaborative and interactive platform for educators and students. Free accounts can be created at https://prod.classflow.com/classflow/#!/register.
- MindMeister: This tool allows students and educators to view and generate notes, brainstorming, and collaborative endeavours. To check out pricing or more info, visit https://www.mindmeister.com/.
- Google Classroom: This tool provided by Google makes creating, distributing, and grading assignments simpler. For a free account, visit www.classroom.google.com.
Conclusion
Synchronous online teaching tools allow you to interact with your class, encouraging student engagement and active learning. So what are synchronous online teaching tools anyway? While synchronous online learning was the hot topic in the early days of online learning, synchronous online teaching has taken center stage in education today. Asynchronous online teaching involves students submitting their work after class and then a teacher returning feedback and grades at a later time.
Technology is constantly evolving, and this is especially true when it comes to online tools. In the past decade, many new tools have been released for online teachers to use in their classrooms. These tools – sometimes referred to as asynchronous or synchronous online teaching tools – can be used across a number of educational platforms, including web conferencing, social networking platforms.