It's clear by now that different types of people choose different types of learning modalities; students and facilitators alike.
What is the difference between a synchronous-preferring learner and an asynchronous-preferring learner?
What is the difference between a synchronous-preferring facilitator and an asynchronous-preferring facilitator?
Do you have any sources to back you up? :-)
For learners and facilitators alike, synchronous learning will appeal to someone who is very hands-on and socially oriented. These are people who have time or travel constraints that keep them from sitting or teaching in a traditional on-ground classroom, but prefer the traditional format. They are likely to be fast thinkers (and fast typers!).
ReplyDeleteWhile there is a growing body of research about online learning and who participates, most of the research focuses on asynchronous learning, because it is the older model.
As for asynchronous learning, a very brief article by Mary Breaden notes that shy individuals are likely to thrive in an asynchronous online environment (understood as "traditional" distance education)
Breaden, Mary C. "Adult Online Learning." Education Week 27.26 (2008): 5. Academic OneFile. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.
Document URL
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Gale Document Number:A176779987
Asynchronous learning does fit nicely in the adult learner's self-driven approach, being relatively self-paced.
The difference between an asynchronous-preferring facilitator is the facilitator must promote intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to encourage the learners to value the new information as being relevant to his or her rather than just memorizing content. The facilitator must become a guide as well as a learner demonstrating that he or she can learn from each participant, but at the same time monitor or evaluate each participants progress. The facilitator has to acquire the skills to provide instructional resources that are suitable in content for the participants. Facilitator must have some technological skills to help guide the participants and improve his or her effectiveness. The facilitator has to overcome any technical barriers he or she may have such as time and distance problems.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between an asynchronous-preferring learner is a learner has to be willing to share personal experiences and be more actively engaged to contribute to the learning environment. A learner has to take the role as the "center" of the process since online learning is student-centered or self-paced.
References: Beaudoin, M. (2011). The Instructor's Changing Role in Distance Education. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved from http://academic.research.microsoft.com/Paper/3914278