Synchronous Online Learning

Synchronous Time

Synchronous Learning at MSU Denver Department of Social Work

Synchronous online learning is learning done online at the same time. Students enter the classroom virtually and meet together to accomplish course goals from their own location. Synchronous learning can include the whole class or subgroups within the class. The platforms in which the students engage at the same time include: Zoom, TEAMS (microsoft/free),Google Hangouts/Groups, Google Docs, Skype, Adobe,

The BSSW program has begun to integrate synchronous time into their fully online core courses. Each core courses has a scheduled hour every week of the semester. Adding synchronous time is new to faculty and students, so please take time to understand this improvement to our courses and make time to explain synchronous learning to your students.

Synchronous time in fully online coursers increases student engagement, participation, feedback, instructor immediacy & presence, knowledge transfer, retention, and satisfaction (Allen et al., 2006; Falloon, 2011; O’Sullivan et al., 2004).  However, when students and faculty sign up for fully online delivery they often can assume this means no scheduled or synchronous time requirements, hence the importance of sharing with students the effectiveness of synchronous learning for group activities, assignment explanation, group work and conversations, and many more impactful activities.

Current faculty share that the synchronous time has been very rewarding in that the students are able to ask more questions, assignments appear to be better understood, and the faculty enjoy getting to know their students. They also shared that they would appreciate more training and ideas on how to best use this time. Please find information below that you can use to help with your synchronous time.

Frequently asked questions about using synchronous learning:

  • What is Synchronous Learning?
    • Synchronous learning is learning done online at the same time. Students enter the classroom virtually and meet together to accomplish course goals from their own location. Synchronous learning can include the whole class or subgroups within the class.
  • What do I use for the synchronous time?
    • We have been using Zoom in the department of social work and we recommend the use of this technology as it is accessible and reliable.
    • zoom.us Sign up Zoom – it is free. With the free membership, you will get everything that you need to run your session.
    • We & the university also recommend the use of TEAMS. This is a great platform within the Microsoft office suite that allows synchronous meetings, chatting, and many other group functions. https://www.msudenver.edu/ctld/ready/teams/
    • You will need a computer with a camera, microphone, and good internet.
    • You will be the group host for the synchronous meeting time unless groups are meeting independently.
  • What do I do during my synchronous meeting?
    • It is recommended that synchronous time be used for connection, relationships, knowledge application and practice, clarifying assignments, and other interactive practices.
    • Lectures and guest speakers can be recorded and watched asynchronously and do not require synchronous connections.
    • Synchronous time can be good for student presentations and group work
  • Can I do synchronous time with 20+ students?
    • Yes! Your students will appear on the screen in little boxes and you can change how everyone is viewed on your computer, as can your students on their own computers. With this many students it is important to discuss how you will communicate. There is a function where students can “raise their hand” and you are notified of this with a little hand. I tell my students to interrupt, raise their hand in the picture, flag me down, write in the chat function and much more! Having many students also is great for small groups! You are able to put students into small groups for them to have meaningful discussions, which they really like!
  • Do I need discussion groups if I am doing synchronous time each week?
    • Online learning has the same required “hours” as face-to-face class. So online courses should have about 2.75 hours of “class time”. This class time can be synchronous, discussion groups, watching videos, doing activities, etc. Keep this in mind. If you have 1 hours of synchronous time – make sure to have other activities that give the students their remaining 1.75 hours of classroom time.
  • How do you grade synchronous learning?
    • Grading synchronous learning requires you to be prepared with a class list so that you remember who attended. Zoom does have a print out of attendants but it is not always correct so please just keep track of attendance. Inform your students how they will be graded during this time.
  • Do I need alternative assignments if students are unable to make the synchronous time?
    • If you are teaching a core course with schedule synchronous time you are not required to provide alternative assignments any different than you would if a student misses a face to face course or online week. If you provide “make up” assignments for missed classes than you could provide this for your synchronous time. However, having make up points/assignments is not required.
    • It is important to talk about this synchronous time as imperative to their learning and community formation. Talk about it early and make sure to clarify the requirements to your students so they understand what is required.
  • Can I break up into small groups/breakout rooms when we are online together?
  • Can I add synchronous time into my class if it is not schedule?
    • If you want to have a couple of synchronous sessions in your electives or courses this is fine, however it cannot be required, meaning they must have alternative ways to make up the points from participating. One option is to record the synchronous meeting and students who are unable to make it can watch the video at another time. Another option is to have an alternative discussion board question or assignment for the students who are unable to make it. Some instructors have made it extra credit or optional as well.
    • If you choose to have a couple of synchronous sessions in your fully online course:
      • Work with students at the beginning of your semester to find times that work best for the entire class and schedule it during that time.
      • Be clear about the purpose of the synchronous time and what is required of students if unable to make it.

What if I have more questions?

  • Come to our synchronous training or email Becky Cottrell at [email protected] or Ann Obermann at [email protected]
  • Synchronous learning takes time to get comfortable with and to use intentionally. Practice, look up you tube videos, read the resources provided at the end of this document, and ask other instructors!

Recommendations to set up your synchronous learning time:

  1. Email your students as soon as you have access to your online course. In this welcome email, indicate your schedule of synchronous learning times that you will use! Give students the dates for all, half, or whatever the schedule you have decided works to support the course delivery and student community. This is very important as students’ time schedules can be very busy and planning is essential. The students were given the schedule when they signed up for the course, however synchronous learning is still new to our program and so we want to make sure students really understand the schedule and requirements.
  2. Share with students the importance of this time and how you plan to use it! What is your learning community going to get out of coming together online once a week.
  3. Include instructions about Zoom or whatever online meeting platform you are using. Encourage students to download any needed software and practice with a friend. The first synchronous meeting is often just talking about the meeting platform and how the class wants to conduct the learning time.
  4. Share “netiquette” or online professionalism with your students. Though interruptions happen at home, it is important that they plan on “being in class” for that hour and reducing distractions during their synchronous meeting. Netiquette is also just a great topic in general because as professionals the majority of our communication and working is online or digital of some sort.
  5. Think about how to use the synchronous time intentionally to achieve your overall course goals. Having synchronous time enhances the online experience especially when used well.

Purpose of Synchronous Time (Schullo, Hilbelink, Venable, and Barron, 2007):

  • Providing clearer instruction on difficult topics;
  • Allowing students time to practice concepts while the instructor is immediately available for feedback;
  • Pushing content from websites for immediate discussion and problem solving;
  • Allowing small groups to interact in real time to solve problems and work on projects;
  • Focusing students on the content and guiding them through it in an efficient manner;
  • Growing a learning community;
  • Encouraging debate and discussion in a natural manner with voice rather than reading text, and;
  • Assessing the status of students’ content knowledge and understanding through questions and inflection of voice. (Schullo et al., 2007, p. 336)

Resources: