Asynchronous Learning Tips and Tools

Pros:

• Allows students to absorb the material at their own pace and on their own time.
• Removes the difficulty of having to coordinate everyone to meet at the same time.
• Offers more flexibility in how you deliver course content.

Cons:

• Requires a lot of intensive labor up front to create content.
• Can be easier for students to fall behind when they have to learn the material for multiple classes on their own.

Please reference Fordham’s Course Continuity Guide for Asynchronous Tools. You will find a wide range of options, including adding audio to a Powerpoint, different audio recording software options, posting videos to Blackboard, recording a screencast, video editing and more.

One misconception about asynchronous learning that many instructors new to distance learning have is that they need to create their own content for delivering information to students. This takes an inordinate amount of time and effort, and is simply not necessary. Instead, think of yourself as a curator of information, a minimal guide for directing your students to content and contextualizing it for them. For more information, see the following blog post by Steven D’Agustino, Director of Online Learning: Curate, Don’t Create.

Creating Videos for Teaching

Managing Online Discussions

How to Assess Students Online