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Integrating Asynchronous Material

Asynchronous material is course content that students engage with outside of class time, on their own schedule. This differs from the recording of synchronous class time as it is specifically designed for asynchronous participation.

Benefits of Asynchronous Material

Thre are many benefits to developing new asynchronous material or converting material typically presented or completed in synchronous sessions to an asynchronous format.

  • Asynchronous material can provide opportunities to make more productive use of synchronous class time:

    • Can allow for synchronous class time to be dedicated towards covering more difficult material

    • Can allow for synchronous class time to be dedicated towards practical application (i.e. working through problems)

    • Can allow for synchronous class time to be dedicated to discussion

  • Asynchronous material provides students with flexibility and gives them more autonomy over their learning

  • Remedial or advanced asynchronous material can be provided to meet the needs of all students

Webinar

Integrating Asynchronous Material video
 
Watch a recorded webinar detailing methods and best practices for integrating asynchronous material into your online courses.

Types of Asynchronous Material

Asynchronous Lecture

Asynchronous Discussion

Asynchronous Assignments

Our current teaching environment provides the opportunity to convert traditionally synchronous assignments to asynchronous.
Asynchronous assignments:

  • Provide increased flexibility for students
  • Provide students with increased autonomy by allowing them to choose assignment format
  • Can encourage student creativity

Example: Student Presentations

There are many options for converting an in-class presentation into an asynchronous presentation:
Option 1: Fully asynchronous Students can record their presentations with Zoom or Teams. If it is a group presentation, they can all record together, or they can each record their portion and combine them later. Then, students submit the recorded presentations. If you would like students to view each other’s presentations, you can post them in Sakai, or share them during your next synchronous session.
Option 2: Student select modality Provide students with the option to create an asynchronous presentation or present synchronously. Those that create a recording, can submit before class. During class, you can share the pre-recorded presentations with students that are present, and then have the students in the synchronous session present.

Recommendations for asynchronous assignments

  • Assist students by making them aware of technology tools that are available for them to complete their assignments
  • Consider how you, and if applicable students, will provide feedback to presentations or other student activities that are completed asynchronously