Advantages of Synchronous learning in Online Education

It allows for class interaction.

Under synchronous learning, all students and the teacher are present on the
virtual platform simultaneously. This makes it possible for students to respond
and react while the lesson is ongoing. It also helps students build social
values and communication skills as they relate with the instructor and other
students. This makes online education almost the same as the face-to-face
classroom setting, only that virtual presence has replaced physical presence.

Discipline

Synchronous learning makes it possible for instructors to take class

attendance and monitor students’ participation to ensure discipline from the
students. Also, the fact that the lesson will be lost, if not attended at the set
time, makes more students avail themselves on time for the lessons.
Therefore with the synchronous learning method, you can guarantee
punctuality and class presence to a reasonable extent.

More effective teaching

In comparison to traditional classroom education, online education generally

reduces the teachers’ effectiveness as teaching sometimes involves
observing the students’ attitude and facial response. Synchronous online
education makes it possible for teachers to see the students’ faces in real-
time and, to a better extent, teach or communicate more effectively seeing the
decoder’s attitude.

Instantaneous answers to questions

As a student, you will learn better if you can ask questions and receive
instantaneous answers as you take lessons. Synchronous learning makes it
possible for distant learners to get clarity in real-time to questions that may
come up in the course of the lesson and be answered immediately.

In-depth Knowledge

As a result of quality class interaction and student engagement, you can cover
more ground in class, and students can learn more. Class interaction makes it
possible for students to raise issues, ask questions and contribute to a better
understanding of the lesson. You should consider synchronous learning to
guarantee a broader scope of learning online within the set class duration.

Disadvantages of Synchronous learning in Online Education

Unequal Accessibility

As a result of differences in location, financial capacity, and availability of a

good internet reception, some students may not be able to access lessons.
Also, the devices used like laptops and tablets may develop a fault, and since
the class is fixed, some students may miss out on important lessons. 

Fixed Schedule

Synchronous learning is rigid as it runs in scheduled real-time. This makes it

difficult for students to take classes at their convenience. It also does not allow
students to re-access lessons in case of emergencies, technical failure, or
poor reception. Missing a class or a part of a lesson can be detrimental to the
students’ understanding of the entire course.

Students can not replay lessons: Students learn at different paces. This makes it difficult for all
students to comprehend what they are taught the same way in real-time. Access to a lesson after
class makes it possible for students to go through the lesson again or replay certain parts of the
lesson to understand better the content of the lesson. Synchronous learning does not provide for
this.

Cost

Synchronous learning is generally more expensive than asynchronous

learning considering the cost of internet time and the device needed for quality
video and reception. This makes it difficult for people with a low financial
capacity to afford. If you are watching your spending or are not financially
buoyant, you should not choose synchronous learning. 
Advantages of Asynchronous learning in Online Education

Flexibility

The nature of asynchronous learning makes it easy for the students to learn on their own time.
You can decide to take out three days a week to take all your lessons for the week. Also, you can
choose to take classes as you nurse your kid or do something else. You have complete control
over when to take the lessons, how fast you take the lessons, and how you take the classes as
long as you take them before the deadline. 

Affordability

Compared to synchronous learning, asynchronous learning is often more

affordable. Getting materials online, checking emails, and downloading videos
are often cheaper than video-streaming the lesson and getting materials
online for further study. Therefore it accommodates people with either weak or
strong financial strength.

Less tedious for the teacher/instructor

Since lessons are recorded at a different time from when they are taken, a
teacher under the asynchronous learning method can record his lessons and
make all necessary materials available at his convenience before the
deadline. Also, while the students take the lessons and download the
materials, you have time to yourself as a teacher.

Fewer Distractions

As a result of the absence of real-time class, there is a limitation of

distractions in asynchronous learning. You get to take your lessons alone
without real-time experience with other students, and this takes away class
interactions and questions that may interrupt learning or cause distractions. If
you prefer learning in solitude, this is the best choice for you.

Students can learn at their own pace.

Students need to be given the liberty to learn at their own pace. People differ in comprehension
capacity and speed; hence, having lesson materials accessible at any time before the deadline
makes it possible to go through lessons over again and playback areas that are not well
understood. There is no struggle to keep up with other students as far as comprehension is
concerned under asynchronous learning.
Disadvantages of Asynchronous learning in Online Education

Absence of real-time interaction

Compared to synchronous learning, asynchronous learning is often more

affordable. Getting materials online, checking emails, and downloading videos
are often cheaper than video-streaming the lesson and getting materials
online for further study. Therefore it accommodates people with either weak or
strong financial strength.

Isolation

If you do not like the feeling of being in isolation, asynchronous learning is not
for you. The pre-recording of lesson materials allows for only one-way
communication and takes away the social elements in learning. As a student,
it could be boring and discouraging unless you naturally prefer solitude. 

Students attendance cannot be guaranteed nor monitored

It takes discipline not to feel too comfortable with having to learn at your
convenience without supervision. In real-time, teachers can monitor classes,
and students can be held accountable. Still, if you are not a self-disciplined
person, you may easily miss lessons or take the learning process frivolously
with asynchronous learning. 

Lack of in-depth knowledge

Asynchronous learning does make learning from fellow students impossible. Also, students
cannot ask questions, and cannot hold class discussions. The students are only limited to the
recorded materials. This may deprive you of having a more in-depth or elaborate understanding
of the lessons.