Many considerations are necessary when forming online learning communities. Will the time needed to work collaboratively in a learning community be a concern for participants? What is the cost for this type of learning and how will those costs change with an increase in the number of participants? Will the learning community be solely online or will it be a blended community? Will asynchronous or synchronous technologies be utilized? Based on Palloff and Pratt’s experiences with online teaching, an asynchronous environment is preferred. “The asynchronous environment allows participants to log on to the class or discussion at any time, think about what is being discussed, and post their own responses when they wish” (Palloff & Pratt, 2007, p. 68). The ability to read, process, and reflect on other participant’s ideas and formulate an original response is essential to the individual’s learning development. Asynchronous technologies afford the time necessary for this individual growth, but are there disadvantages to these technologies? “If e-learners seldom meet face-to-face and teachers mainly rely on asynchronous e-learning, students might feel isolated and not part of learning communities, which is essential for collaboration and learning” (Hrastinski, 2008, para. 12).
There are many synchronous and asynchronous technologies and tools that can be utilized in classroom situations as well as learning communities (blended or online). By accessing Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication Tools, one will learn advantages and disadvantages of both types of technologies as well as examples of each. This is helpful for classroom collaboration as well as building learning communities because it lists the tools as well as the uses and drawbacks of each tool. Information of this nature allows for purposeful planning and execution. There are many articles available within Education Week’s special report on Emerging Policy Debates in Virtual Education. There are resources connected to factoring online learning into daily work, delivery of information, expansion of online learning, sustainable funding for online learning and the many shapes and sizes of online learning.
One responsibility of an educator is to help develop and enhance the skills that will make students viable participants in today’s society. Exposure to both types of technology in K-12 classrooms as well as future courses and learning communities is essential for professional growth and development.
References
Ashley, J. Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication Tools. Retrieved from http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/articledetail.cfm?ItemNumber=13572
Education Week. (2010, April 28). A Special Report on the Emerging Policy Debates in Virtual Education (supplement). Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/media/educationweek_e-learning_2010_specialreport.pdf
Hrastinski, S. (2008). Asynchronous and Synchronous E-learning. EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 31(4). Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE%2BQuarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/AsynchronousandSynchronousELea/163445
Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (2007). Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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