Synchronous or asynchronous learning—which is better? This question used to concern only those with access to enterprise-grade LMS platforms. Today, any public or private organization running a learning program must consider which mode is best for its learners.
Both modes offer advantages and present challenges. Their effectiveness often hinges on several factors within your organization, including your strategic learning objectives, facilities, IT infrastructure, and, of course, the learners in front of you.
This guide explores how synchronous and asynchronous learning modes stack up against each other. Plus, how to decide which is best for your L&D program.
What is synchronous learning?
Synchronous learning occurs when learners and instructors are present in the same “space,” whether face-to-face or online. In this model, students progress through the learning material together under the guidance of an instructor, similar to a traditional classroom setup. The key benefit? A strong feedback loop between instructors and learners where questions and answers are exchanged in real time.
Examples of synchronous learning:
- Traditional classrooms
- Live webinars
- Video conferencing
- Virtual classrooms
- Instant messaging
What’s the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?
The defining characteristic of synchronous learning is the simultaneous presence of participants. It supports real-time shared learning and immediate feedback among students and instructors themselves. While this learning mode offers many benefits, it may not always be the best choice under certain circumstances.
Synchronous learning: advantages and disadvantages
Synchronous learning offers several benefits:
- Immediate feedback: Both students and instructors can receive real-time feedback. Students get prompt answers to their questions. Instructors can assess student understanding as they present new information or oversee learning activities.
- Social engagement: Live interaction can foster stronger engagement for many students. They tend to respond better to the presence of an instructor or their peers. Synchronous learning is often the most effective mode for simultaneously building a social bond within your cohort. Examples of this are a group of new hires or an upcoming executive leadership team.
- Structure: The organized schedule of synchronous online learning sessions can benefit “high-touch” students who need more support in their learning. Or for younger or newer students who might struggle with time and project management.
Those are some solid perks, but as you might expect, synchronous learning has some drawbacks:
- Scheduling conflicts: Synchronous learning is easy to coordinate when every student follows a similar schedule. But that often isn’t the case. Busy employees or remote learners in different time zones may find it difficult to be in the same place at the same time as their peers.
- Technical limitations: Online synchronous learning can require newer devices and functioning audio or video equipment, which not all learners can afford.
- Accessibility: Some platforms may be less accessible for learners who need accommodations (think real-time captioning or note-taking assistance). Supporting these learners can be resource-intensive in synchronous environments.
What is asynchronous learning?
On the other hand, asynchronous online learning is more flexible in its format and more accessible to different students. That is why it’s now common in online education. In this mode, students can access learning materials and complete activities according to their own schedules. While deadlines may still exist, depending on the program format, students generally have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and in an environment they prefer.
Examples of asynchronous learning:
- Pre-recorded lectures or webinars
- Interactive learning modules
- Online quizzes or assessments
- Independent projects
- Discussion forums
- Slide decks
- Online reading assignments
Asynchronous learning: advantages and disadvantages
Like synchronous learning, asynchronous learning has distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on your students’ needs.
- Built-in review time: Because asynchronous learning programs don’t rely on live lectures, students have much more flexibility to pause, review, and do outside research. The additional time to process information allows them to understand materials more thoroughly before they move forward. This can significantly benefit non-native language learners.
- Flexibility: Students can access course content and participate in activities whenever their schedules allow. Asynchronous learning is often less stressful and more beneficial for learners in different time zones or with busy, unpredictable lives.
- Equity: As interactions become more mediated, it becomes significantly harder for any one student to dominate Q&A sessions or group activities during asynchronous courses. Each student can contribute at their own pace, ensuring equitable engagement with their instructor.
Nonetheless, asynchronous learning also presents some challenges.
- Harder to encourage team building: While the ability to work independently can be a strength of asynchronous learning, it can also unintentionally isolate students. They might feel less connected to their instructor or peers compared to a synchronous environment.
- Requires stronger time management skills: Managing classwork on your own schedule can be great for learners with strong time management skills. Younger or less-skilled students may find it challenging without a structured framework for the course. Even solid self-schedulers might have difficulty reserving time for coursework during busy days.
Taking a hybrid approach to synchronous and asynchronous learning
Balancing synchronous and asynchronous modes can benefit more learners if you do it right. The challenge in designing a hybrid course like this is to maximize the strengths of each mode while minimizing the weaknesses, rather than the opposite.
Design more (but shorter) sessions
Let’s take scheduling as an example. Synchronous classroom sessions offer significant value, but a strict classroom schedule can exclude many learners. You can try staggering schedules or recording sessions. However, the former still won’t work for all students, and the latter will lack the interactivity that benefits those who can actually attend.
A more effective approach often involves blending shorter, more frequent live sessions with asynchronous activities and group work. Instead of having one two-hour session per week, you could opt for four 30-minute ones.
You also record those and add them to your LMS so your students can review them. They can pull up these videos and work on your other asynchronous activities during the week.
Use AI to provide new opportunities for interaction
You can also look for ways to introduce more personalization and feedback into your students’ individual sessions while conducting asynchronous work. AI agents can fill this gap. They can present customized content and quizzes targeted at each student based on their progress and interests. And they can recommend new learning content when instructors are unavailable.
For example, suppose you have a senior manager in an executive development track who is significantly ahead of junior employees in their cohort. In that case, AI can generate more challenging test materials for them and push them further so you can see how they excel.
AI can also provide learners with targeted micro-lessons by directing them to specific topics that are relevant to their current work. For example, an HR specialist facing a performance management issue can search for that topic within their management training coursework to better understand how to handle it.
Proven strategies for engaging learners in synchronous classes
Integrating live online sessions into your L&D program is a fantastic way to boost interaction between your learners and instructors. But as we’ve discussed here, the advantages of this learning mode come with some notable drawbacks. A bit of planning is all it takes to fully enjoy those benefits.
Here are some proven strategies to help you develop productive and engaging synchronous learning experiences.
Define your learning objectives
Don’t start building a syllabus immediately. First, take a step back and ask, "Why?" Why are you leading this class now? Why are you asking your students to attend live? Given the many valuable asynchronous options available, conducting a synchronous class should be a deliberate choice.
Each live session you hold should directly contribute to your overall course objectives and create outcomes you couldn’t achieve asynchronously. Consider implementing these live activities:
- Group discussions: Set the stage with a presentation. Then, have students break down complex topics into smaller groups. At the end, have students return to the full class to present their findings, reinforcing concepts and allowing them to hone their presentation skills.
- Q&A sessions: One of the most valuable aspects of synchronous online learning is the ability to generate feedback loops through clarifying questions. This is one of the fastest ways to foster a deeper understanding of your material.
- Guest speakers: Even better than regular Q&As, bring a subject matter expert to a live session to provide real-world insights.
- Collaborative activities: Like group discussions, hands-on group projects provide an interactive format for students to apply course concepts with their peers.
Consider your technology platform
The technology you use for your online course should be transparent. You don’t want either yourself or your students getting distracted by the interface when they could be focusing on the content. Familiarize yourself with all the features you plan to use, from screen sharing and breakout rooms to polling and LMS integrations.
Consider hosting an introductory pre-session for students new to your chosen platforms. That will help build their confidence so they can focus on your course materials from day one.
Be prepared to adapt
So you’ve set your objectives, written out a course plan, and mastered your LMS. Now, be ready to throw all that out the window. One of the greatest advantages of synchronous learning is your ability to adapt to the students in front of you. Be prepared to adjust your session according to the real-time needs of your students. Are you receiving many clarifying questions on a sub-topic you hadn’t anticipated? Expand the lecture to cover that subject.
Alternatively, use AI in your LMS to generate additional materials on the fly for interested learners to explore. Being willing to adapt ensures your synchronous sessions remain relevant and impactful.
Keep sessions short
Even if your course is conducted entirely through synchronous classes, you should keep individual sessions brief. Remember, one of the main drawbacks of synchronous courses is their potential to be unevenly accessible to different learners. Multiple short sessions are generally better than a single longer one. Aim for a duration that respects students' attention spans and schedules. Approximately 60 minutes is a reasonable maximum.
If a longer session is necessary to cover specific content, incorporate break times between lectures and group activities so students can decompress.
Support diverse learners
Also, remember that synchronous sessions can be less accessible than a range of asynchronous activities. Students with disabilities, limited access to technology or quiet study spaces, and those in different time zones may face barriers to participation. Here is where taking a hybrid approach is beneficial.
Generate flexible, asynchronous alternatives to live attendance whenever possible using your LMS. Record and bookmark sessions so they’re searchable using AI. Generate targeted written content for students who rely on video technology.
Build on a strong foundation of synchronous learning
The optimal learning method for your learners ultimately depends on several factors: your learning objectives, the type of content you deliver, your training delivery strategy, and the availability of your learners. Synchronous learning is the best choice to maximize engagement, create valuable feedback loops, and develop a stronger social bond among your learners.
With the right LMS and supplemental asynchronous activities, you can build a valuable learning experience for almost any topic on this solid foundation.
