Helping Students Make Sense of Online Courses
While online courses have been around for years, there is still some confusion about what different online modalities really mean for students. Students may assume that taking an asynchronous online course means simply working through some readings and assignments at their own pace or that they can attend a synchronous course while commuting to a job. When you work with students as an advisor or as an instructor, it is crucial to help students understand what online learning really entails.
This resource provides an overview of the types of online courses offered at UAlbany and describes what these types of courses require of students. Understanding these requirements can help students decide whether an online course is a good fit for them and can also prepare them to be successful when they do enroll in online courses. Without that preparation, students may struggle and fail.
Not all online courses are the same.
While the term “online course” is broadly applied to mean any course that doesn’t meet in a physical classroom, synchronous and asynchronous online courses are quite different from each other. It's important for students to understand the distinction between these two types of courses so they can make good choices.
Online synchronous courses have a lot in common with in-person courses.
An online synchronous course has “real-time” class meetings just like an in-person course; the only difference is that those class meetings take place virtually rather than in a physical classroom. Synchronous classes provide flexibility of place for students who are unable to travel to campus for class meetings, but they still require that students commit to attending and participating in class meetings at a specific time throughout the course.
Here is some information that can help students decide whether an online synchronous course is a good fit for them.
- Synchronous courses require students to devote time and attention to virtual class meetings just like they would for a course that meets on campus. This means that students should expect to participate in learning activities and discussions during class meetings just like they would in an in-person class. Instructors of synchronous courses expect students to be seen and heard during class. If a synchronous online class is offered at the same time that a student will be working, driving, actively caring for a family member, etc., that class does not fit their schedule.
- Synchronous courses require students to pay attention in class just like they would if the class were meeting in person, so students need to have access to a quiet space away from interruptions during class time. If a student cannot be in an appropriate space at the time a synchronous class is scheduled to meet, that class does not fit their schedule.
- Synchronous courses require students to be able to attend and fully participate in all virtual classes, which means that students need access to a good internet connection during class time to be successful. Some synchronous courses may also require access to software during class and require that students attend class on a laptop or desktop where they have access to that software. If a student does not have access to a good internet connection and the required technology at the time a synchronous class is scheduled to meet, that class does not fit their schedule.
Online asynchronous courses are very different from in-person courses.
An online asynchronous course does not have “real-time” class meetings, either virtually or in a physical classroom. Not having the structure of a regular class meeting time means that students’ experience in an asynchronous course is very different from an in-person course. Asynchronous courses provide greater flexibility, but they may not be a good choice for all students.
Here is some information that can help students decide whether an online asynchronous course is a good fit for them.
- Asynchronous courses require the same amount of time (or sometimes more time) than synchronous or in-person courses. Students must plan to spend the time they would spend in class meetings plus time for preparation and homework to succeed in asynchronous courses. If a student would not have time to take the same course in a synchronous or in-person format, an asynchronous course does not fit their schedule.
- Asynchronous courses require students to manage their work more independently. In order to be successful, students need to take greater initiative to manage their own time and regulate their own learning. If a student is not able to plan their own work, anticipate how much time they will need to devote to completing course work, and monitor their own work habits, an asynchronous course is not a good choice.
- Asynchronous courses require students to adhere to a course schedule. While asynchronous courses offer greater flexibility, asynchronous courses at UAlbany are not self-paced. This means students need to be prepared to do their work at the pace required by the course, which may involve multiple assignments each week due at specific times. If a student cannot complete their work according to a structured course schedule, an asynchronous course does not fit their schedule.