Humanities › English What Is the Difference Between Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning? Print Westend 61 - Getty Images 501925785 English English Grammar An Introduction to Punctuation Writing By Deb Peterson Deb Peterson Education Expert B.A., English, St. Olaf College Deb Peterson is a writer and a learning and development consultant who has created corporate training programs for firms of all sizes. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on May 23, 2017 In the world of online education, or distance learning, classes can be asynchronous or synchronous. What does it mean? Synchronous When something is synchronous, two or more things are happening at the same time, in synchronicity. They are "in sync." Synchronous learning takes place when two or more people are communicating in real time. Sitting in a classroom, talking on the telephone, chatting via instant messaging are examples of synchronous communication. So is sitting in a classroom a world away from where the teacher is speaking via teleconferencing. Think "live." Pronunciation: sin-krə-nəs Read More The Difference Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Distance Learning By Jamie Littlefield Also Known As: concurrent, parallel, at the same time Examples: I prefer synchronous learning because I need the human interaction of communicating with someone as if they were in front of me. Synchronous Resource: 5 Reasons You Should Sign Up for a Workshop Asynchronous When something is asynchronous, the meaning is opposite. Two or more things are not "in sync" and are happening at different times. Asynchronous learning is considered more flexible than synchronous learning. The teaching takes place at one time and is preserved for the learner to participate in at another time, whenever it is most convenient for the student. Technology such as email, e-courses, online forums, audio and video recordings make this possible. Even snail mail would be considered asynchronous. It means that learning is not taking place at the same time that a subject is being taught. It's a fancy word for convenience. Pronunciation: ā-sin-krə-nəs Also Known As: non-concurrent, not parallel Examples: I prefer asynchronous learning because it allows me to sit down at my computer in the middle of the night if I want to and listen to a lecture, then do my homework. My life is hectic and I need that flexibility. Asynchronous Resources: Tips to Help You Rock Your Online Classes Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Peterson, Deb. "What Is the Difference Between Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/asynchronous-vs-synchronous-learning-31319. Peterson, Deb. (2020, August 26). What Is the Difference Between Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/asynchronous-vs-synchronous-learning-31319 Peterson, Deb. "What Is the Difference Between Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/asynchronous-vs-synchronous-learning-31319 (accessed April 19, 2024). copy citation