QUESTION: What's the difference between synchronous and asynchronous training?

The terms asynchronous and synchronous refer to "the extent to which a course is bound by place and/or time," according to The Distance Learner's Guide (Prentice Hall: 1998). A favorite information technology resource--Whatis.com--defines synchronous as "coordinated in time." Asynchronous is "not at the same time." In a nutshell, training is either real-time or not.

For example, when you attend a live training session--whether in person or in a virtual meeting space--then the event is synchronous. Participants attend the event at the same time, the learning experience is simultaneous, and people communicate in real time. When you take an online course in which you communicate with the instructor and fellow learners via time-delayed email and discussion boards, that's an example of asynchronous training.

Most people are comfortable with trainer-learner interaction and the opportunity to ask questions and receive immediate answers. Synchronous learning events, however, can be impractical sometimes because of cost, distance, and time constraints. Asynchronous training can also have drawbacks, including issues of the "faceless environment" and of making the technology work. When considering whether to use synchronous or asynchronous training, be sure to consider the

• types of information you want to transfer
• the comfort of learners, trainers, and developers with computers, technology, and online learning
• the involvement to create and attend the training.

Here are some other useful links:

• Online Learning Goes Synchronous
  
• Choosing a Synchronous Learning Solution
  
• Designing for a Synchronous Learning Session
  
• Making Synchronous Training a Success.

Published: May 2000