Online education has taken over the traditional modes of learning due to the havoc wreaked by the pandemic. The sudden surge in demand for online education demands a virtual learning management system where students and teachers can gather for effective teaching-learning sessions. In an online classroom environment, learning seems to be interactive and productive even for geographically diverse students. Synchronous Online Teaching is the best way to learn lessons, present lectures, discussions, and presentations, and complete activities in real-time via ingrained audio, video, and chat features.
Virtual classes are challenging for both students and teachers as they struggle with the constant temptation of momentarily leaving from class. Access to synchronous learning technologies simplifies interaction, discussion, data sharing and collaboration for students as well as teachers.
What Is Synchronous Learning?
Learning that happens in real-time in a specific virtual environment at a destined time. During this, teachers and students interact with each other while sharing their thoughts through chats or live or video. Webcasts, videoconferencing, teleconferencing, and live-streamed lectures are some of the interactive learning models.
On its contrary lies asynchronous learning, which includes eliminating two-way interactions. It can happen through online discussion boards, virtual libraries, lecture notes, pre-recorded video content, self-guided lesson modules, assignments, reading etc.
Qualities of Synchronous Online Teaching
Increase Classroom Engagement
Classroom discussion promotes active engagement. It not only encourages interaction between teacher and students but also peer-to-peer interaction, which eventually accelerates the engagement rate. Synchronous learning experience helps us transit from a traditional setting into an advanced online teaching model. Neglecting the teaching-student interaction would affect the learning experience. But encouraging real-time communication through messages or video conferencing can help teachers meet destined learning goals. Apart from imparting lessons, the exchange of tonal and facial expressions builds and strengthens relationships between teacher and students.
Build a Positive Attitude
Communicating online saves students and teachers from the pressure of exposure. Online communication enhances the openness of expression. Students learn to cultivate their sense of expression and get an ability to express themselves in front of strangers and classmates. It enables them to outperform their previous experiences and brings them out to display their interests. In a synchronous classroom, students learn to respond to the queries and concerns, and teachers can notice them and their participation status. They can ignite a simple conversation by asking them how they spent the lockdown period and get their answers.
In-depth Instructional Teaching
With Synchronous Online Teaching, students get more time to interact with their teachers to share their experiences and ask their queries. It’s a paragon of improved mentorship where teachers are open for face-to-face discussion without scheduled classes. Synchronous learners can discuss their queries over a video conference or a message to get possible solutions.
Accountable self-structure
The major difference between an online and an in-person class is its structure-ability. One should abide by a structured routine in life to attain success. Synchronous teaching helps us follow a structure that makes us realize our efficiency to accomplish given tasks in destined time. Students here are not forced to be a part of the class, rather they regulate themselves to stick to their study track and make necessary efforts to bring responsible outcomes.
Dynamic Learning Environment
It is dynamic in a way that allows the exploration of concepts, ideas, and topics that remain unacknowledged during classroom teaching. Teachers can ask mid-lessons questions, ask peers to indulge in peer tutoring, and scan frame online assessment methods for more active learning. It offers the flexibility of expression to the students as they can present their points without any interruption or judgment. Online learning opportunities can be personalized as per student’s level of understanding to provide advanced learning assistance and educational opportunities.
Synchronous Collaboration
Collaboration is the basic impulse of learning, be it online or offline. E-learning can make a big difference if the learner perceives the same level of satisfaction during collaborative learning. The teacher becomes a facilitator, a guide and plays an active role to motivate the students, while students become takers and make efforts to enhance their learning experience by collaborating with peers.
Conclusion
Despite innumerable benefits that synchronous online teaching has over traditional teaching methods, institutes often fail to follow it. However, some of the best MBA Colleges in India follow Synchronous Online Teaching considering it beneficial for students. Active participation of students in online learning alludes to their affirmation and dedication to study and should be considered by online instructors for favorable student response.
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