Asynchronous Learning Networks (Alns) – Information-Technology Learning Tools

Considering all the remarkable high-tech innovations, we witness in 2020; it wouldn’t be wrong to state that science and technology have transpired as the most potent element of the modern era. Leveraging advanced tools and software, we humans have managed to enhance the working procedures of almost everything that is associated with us. Needless to say, modernization has also led us towards innovative teaching and document management solutions, helping mankind to enhance the overall efficiency of conventional methods.

Asynchronous Learning has evolved to be the most robust aid in the sector of education, providing an efficient learning platform to the student all around the globe. Asynchronous Learning is a form of teaching where students’ can access the studying material they’re provided at a time of their preference. They can interact and fully participate in the class activities from anywhere in the world regardless of their time zones; hence, the model is also known as Location Independent Learning.

Given the current situation of the world with the COVID-19 outbreak, Asynchronous Learning is the primary source for over 85 % of students, providing them with a resourceful platform through which they can continue their studies. A student is not strictly bounded and hence, at the liberty of his own to study. With that said, let us have a brief insight into the alluring aspects of this non-traditional learning method.

Asynchronous Activities & Learning Tools

This sort of teaching mode may seem a bit odd to teachers who are used to teach in their own ways; however, once you get the grasp of it, the tools are pretty handy and highly efficient. Try the following activities to convert your old-school course material into an asynchronous one:

• Videos

Videos are one of the easiest ways to record your lectures. All you would have to do is pretend you’re teaching your students through the camera. Then upload the video on perhaps say YouTube. You can set the video to be available only to your students or even let the whole world learn from you.

• Demonstrations

Maybe instead of a video of a whiteboard, you can demonstrate the topic for the students. Make a video of your own or share an existing one with the class. You can even add subtitles on YouTube for better understanding and to point out anything you might’ve missed in the video.

• Class Discussions

You can make a discussion board and allow students to post their queries at any time. They can be addressed by you or any other student who might’ve understood the topic better and can explain it to their classmate. Social media platforms can also be used productively for this very purpose.

• Group Projects

To make sure the students are well in touch with one another, teamwork is a must. You can assign the students an assignment over a specific topic, and they all can communicate using Google Docs or Google Slides to pitch in their share of the work even if they’re miles apart.

• Learning Activities: 

To test your students academically on the course, you can assign quizzes and various interactive activities that you can make from scratch using tools like Quizzes and Survey Monkey. You can allow the students to take the exam when they want to and then even share the results with them.

Benefits Of Asynchronous Learning

There are numerous benefits to Asynchronous Learning. It encourages students to be independent and self-study using the material given at hand. This act boosts a person’s confidence and allows them to grasp the concepts quickly with minimum distractions as that of encountered during a classroom environment. Sometimes, to avoid feeling embarrassed, a student may hesitate to ask a question in front of the whole class.

In contrast, that concept can be null during an offline one-to-one session, allowing the student not to damage their self-confidence. Therefore according to Stella, writer at best dissertation writing service, wrote some astounding features of this method of learning; highlighting the benefits one can concur to due to Asynchronous Learning:

• Individual Pacing

Every student has individual learning capabilities. Some may learn a topic quicker, whereas others might not be able quite to match their classmates’ speed. Asynchronous Learning enables students’ to work on themselves and at places where they might be lacking at their own pace. They don’t feel mentally pressurized as one would be during a classroom environment to catch up to their friends.

This would also allow a student to, in a way, learn through one-on-one teaching. If they’re confused, they can contact their teacher and be addressed for the help they might require without being interrupted by another student.

• Asynchronous Collaboration 

The teamwork through group projects and assignments will allow the students to not only keep in touch with one another but also be more understanding and forthcoming with each other. They’re likely, to be honest, and can learn about teamwork and its importance. This type of exercise is bound to help them in the long run when they have to collaborate in future projects.

This helps build a proper communication and encourages the exchange of ideas to the point of developing them into practical ones. Not only that, but they’ll also learn to be able to help one another in times of distress.

• Flexibility & Convenience

Due to Asynchronous Learning, students are not bound to a particular schedule. They’re at liberty to assign specific periods for their school life, family and friends all on their own. This allows students to not only balance their home life along with their school life but also learn how to multitask. The fact that you can browse through your video lectures at any time from any corner of the world is a significant convenience. You aren’t required to be at a specific place to a particular time so that you won’t miss your lecture.

• Portfolio Learning

Say, for instance, you upload a video lecture on a particular topic. Then, later on, you can perhaps, check-in on your knowledge through a quiz or another activity to judge their learning. You’ll get to know which area needs to be worked on more and on which topic a student may be lagging behind. Another way to implement reinforced learning is through group discussions. You can introduce a topic and allow the students to debate on it. In case any of them are in the wrong, you can intervene and correct them accordingly.

• Teach Or Train At Scale

The internet is a vast chasm of knowledge. There are various methods to implement eLearning. There are several courses that a student can learn through online courses using sites like Coursers and EdX that are offered free of costs or some at even affordable prices. This way of learning can be supremely beneficial when you have to cater to a considerable number of students. To assess them, you may assign them to write a term paper based on the course.

Conclusion 

All in all, there are certain perks offered by Asynchronous Learning that one cannot put past. They eliminate certain levels of distractions that one might face during on-site classes. It makes learning inclusive. It allows the student not to adhere to individual schedules.

Given the pandemic situation, it certainly seems to resolve a massive issue of educating the masses without posing a threat neither to them nor by imposing an absolute deadline on them. Asynchronous Learning only works best when it is implemented using other tools. In the future, it seems eLearning will surely prove to be more beneficial.