E-Learning and Online Teaching

A study of asynchronous and synchronous e-learning methods discovered that each supports different purposes.

By Stefan Hrastinski

My work has focused on the benefits and limitations of asynchronous and synchronous e-learning and addresses questions such as when, why, and how to use these two modes of delivery. Many organizations and educational institutions are interested in using and developing both asynchronous and synchronous e-learning, but have a limited understanding of the benefits and limitations of the two. I began with a view of learning as participation in the social world,which implies that learning is a dialogue carried out through both internal and social negotiation.