Online learning enables students to study from any location using Wi-Fi. In addition to giving students more control over their knowledge, distance education enables them to learn at their own pace. In modern colleges, online learning offers students additional chances to study without attending traditional classrooms.

There are two common types of online learning with distinct learning activities. This article will explore the two kinds of e-learning in which they identify their outstanding features. 

Online learning – the future of learning methodology 

Online learning is now common among students.

Online learning is a process that takes place in a virtual classroom environment where both parties collaborate. The teacher, as the instructor, tries to use various strategies to convey the appropriate amount of input, and the students, as the participants, try to receive as much information as possible and participate in comprehending a particular lesson.

Traditional education occurs in a classroom, where the teacher is the core source and all activities are conducted face-to-face. In conventional classrooms, printed books, manuals, and audio or video for teaching and learning are often the principal instructional tools. Teachers will play a crucial role in displaying quality through their lectures.

Online education brings many conveniences to students.

Compared to the traditional learning approach, the instructor and students rely on various online resources. They would also use conventional sources with the assistance of e-books, online articles and papers. Unlike traditional learning approaches, it emphasizes the quality of teaching styles, learning sources, and resources.

Distinct types of online learning

There are 2 methods of online education: asynchronous and synchronous online education. 

Asynchronous e-learning

“Asynchronous environments provide students with readily available material in the form of audio/video lectures, handouts, articles and PowerPoint presentations. This material is accessible anytime, anywhere.” by Ayesha Perveen from the Virtual University of Pakistan.

Asynchronous e-learning is the most adopted method for online education because learners are not time-bound and can respond at their leisure. Teachers are not required to teach lively; instead, they can record the lessons beforehand and post them online for students to study. 

Asynchronous online learning is the most adopted method for online education.

Students take advantage of flexibility in learning time based on their leisure time, the place they study and their study habits, compared to being bound to a specific time and place. Asynchronous online learning also enhances learners’ critical thinking when they can pause the lessons and think about problems from many perspectives. 

Synchronous e-learning

A synchronous learning environment is where the teacher and the students meet on a specific online platform to teach and communicate about a lesson. Teachers can answer questions and problems relatively quickly from their students while they are in the virtual class. Moreover, students may feel more comfortable and less stressed in their comfortable environment.

“Advantages of using a synchronous learning environment include real-time sharing of knowledge and learning and immediate access to the instructor to ask questions and receive answers.” according to Ashley Ann Skylar from California State University. 

A synchronous learning environment is where the teacher and the students meet on a specific online platform.

On the other hand, teachers may face several challenges regarding communication with the individual as the class usually studies in large proportions. Students may also need more attention when they do not learn in a suitable learning environment, which prevents their study quality. 

Conclusion

In brief, there are two types of online learning that students commonly take part in: asynchronous and synchronous learning. Various advantages could be taken from online studying regarding time convenience, place, or maybe studying habits, satisfying many learners’ preferences. They can learn better with more practice on their skill set than in offline classes.

Paris-U is proud to be the first liberal arts university to use the online education method to teach. You can learn more about the school courses and their significance here.