There may be times when you have a learning event online (such as a lecture), where your students are online at the same time. In addition to having time together online, you will want to make your learning materias (lecture materials, handouts, assignments, discussions) organized in such a manner that students can access them any time, day or night, as their schedule allows.

In online learning, both types of learning events (all online at same time vs. online any time day or night) have their place.

The terms and concepts below should be helpful to you as you plan your teaching and learning environments.

Learning Events | Asyncronous vs. Synchronous

“Asynchronous e-learning, commonly facilitated by media such as e-mail and discussion boards, supports work relations among learners and with teachers, even when participants cannot be online at the same time. It is thus a key component of flexible e-learning.”

“Synchronous e-learning, commonly supported by media such as videoconferencing and chat, has the potential to support e-learners in the development of learning communities. Learners and teachers experience synchronous e-learning as more social and avoid frustration by asking and answering questions in real time.8 Synchronous sessions help e-learners feel like participants rather than isolates.”

Definitions from educause article.