Asynchronous Engagement

While we are distinguishing between hybrid, online asynchronous, and online blended course modalities to communicate course expectations to students, asynchronous methods are useful to promote student engagement across all modalities.

Asynchronous learning methods are incredibly useful for our students, given the uncertainties of their schedules and challenges posed by lack of access to reliable internet. Through asynchronous learning, students can complete course material, readings, and assignments at their own pace, within stated deadlines.

Sometimes, asynchronous learning is perceived as an inferior method of learning because some faculty privilege face-to-face interaction. However, asynchronous experiences can promote interaction between students and faculty, facilitate peer-to-peer collaboration, and give students the flexibility they need to participate fully in the course.

Student-Content Interactions

Here are some examples of meaningful student-content interactions that can be facilitated asynchronously:

Quizzes and tests completed on the student’s schedule, within stated deadlines
Recorded presentations or demonstrations, including slideshows and videos
Course readings/video
Simulations and Games

Student-Student Interactions

Here are some examples of meaningful student-student interactions that can be facilitated asynchronously:

Discussion boards
Social media groups
Cloud-based collaborative documents
Group projects
Problem-based learning

Student-Faculty Interactions

Here are some examples of meaningful student-faculty interactions that can be facilitated asynchronously:

Discussion boards
Social media groups
Cloud-based Collaborative Documents
Email

Further Reading

Addyson-Zhang, Ai. "Using Instagram as a Teaching & Research Tool: Tips, Resources, & Best Practices." Last modified September 6, 2017. https://medium.com/@aiaddysonzhang/using-instagram-as-a-teaching-research-tool-tips-resources-best-practices-8f1e2ae7bc20.

This post shares a conversation between Addyson-Zhang and Paige Brown Jarreau, a science communication specialist for the Louisiana State College of Science who is an experienced social media user in educational settings, especially in teaching scientists to use social media. They discuss the value of Instagram for teaching and storytelling and resources students can use for Instagram projects.

Boston University Center for Teaching and Learning. "Using Case Studies to Teach." Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.bu.edu/ctl/teaching-resources/using-case-studies-to-teach/.

This page offers advice on using case studies in teaching. Like problem-based learning, case studies offer students the opportunity to work together to apply course content to real-world situations. This page offers guidance on how to use case studies in a class, as well as how to handle assessment.

Buck Institute for Education. PBL Works. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.pblworks.org/.

PBL Works is a helpful resource for project-based learning, an active learning approach that engages students in deep learning. While this resource is designed for students of a range of ages in K-12, the concepts are applicable and translatable to higher education. Project-based learning has demonstrable effects on student engagement, as well as a track record for engaging reluctant learners.

Budhai, Stephanie Smith. "Designing Effective Team Projects in Online Courses." Faculty Focus, January 29, 2016. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/designing-effective-team-projects-in-online-courses/.

This article offers advice on team projects or group work online. It addresses strategies for successful group work, from team creation to setting expectations to creating virtual group space to managing assessment. It also includes additional resources for faculty.

Davis, Matt. "Social Media for Teachers: Guides, Resources, and Ideas." Edutopia, last modified February 18. 2015. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/social-media-resources-educators-matt-davis.

This article offers a wealth of resources for integrating social media into your course. Whether Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, there are links to further resources that offer multiple ways to adapt ideas from this resource to engage students in your online course. While not explicitly for higher education, the frameworks and structures of the ideas presented in the linked material can be adapted for the level of your class.

eLearning Learning. Simulations. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.elearninglearning.com/course/simulations/.

This page aggregates a wealth of advice on using simulations in courses. Topics include the benefits of using simulations, simulations in online learning, and the value of experiential learning. While not exclusively limited to higher education, the content on this page has important applications for courses.

Ledling, Corrine. "10 Ways to Use Twitter for Fun Assignments, Projects, Classwork." Emerging EdTech, September 21, 2017. https://www.emergingedtech.com/2017/09/10-way-to-use-twitter-for-fun-assignments-projects-class-work/.

This article offers some advice on how to use Twitter, a social media platform, in teaching. It includes project ideas, methods for connecting students, and assignment ideas to consider implementing in a class.