Community of Practice

Community of Practice

An Asynchronous Tools Reflection

By Prof. Jonathan Acuña Solano Sunday, November 1, 2015 Twitter: @jonacuso Post 203

As one explores asynchronous tools for one’s online course, it is way essential to evaluate how these tools can affect the learning environment one is intending to create for one’s class. As an online or blended instructor, it is necessary to think of the following: the most challenging feature an asynchronous tool can have, the greatest benefit one and one’s class can get out of it, and any question one may have regarding the use of asynchronous tools prior its launching in a course one is teaching.

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What do you feel is the most challenging feature of asynchronous tools?

When confronted with trying to give an answer to this question, I can barely think

of an appropriate answer. The point I am trying to make in terms of challenges can be

directly connected to the instructor or to the learner. At the beginning the neophyte teacher can find him/herself in a dead-on street if help is not asked from some experienced users of the tool(s) s/he wants to use in his/her online or hybrid course. As soon as this shocking experience is over and expertise and confidence are gained, the instructor is even ready to help students use the desired tool.

To put it simple, teachers can find it difficult at the beginning, but as soon as they get the knack of how something is used, they are on the go. As for students, who are more technologically oriented, the transition to start using a new tool can be just a matter of a short lapse. However, do bear in mind that there may be learners who are not digital natives and who need extra coaching to use the tool properly.

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What do you feel is the greatest benefit of these tools?

Asynchronous tools benefit today’s learners beyond what can be really measured.

Firstly, tools like this provide a certain kind of freedom that working students cannot experienced due to their tight schedules, mainly connected to their jobs. With asynchronous tools, they can find some room in their busy agendas to do what is requested in the course chronogram. Secondly, it terms of m-Learning, these tools offer them the chance of working on their assignments while commuting back and forth from home to work. With their mobile devices they are also aligned with the course content and with the teacher’s feedback and new materials.

With tools like this, we need to stop being skeptical that blended and mobile learning cannot be ideal ways of earning a degree by thousands of individuals on this planet. Asynchronous tools provided by the course instructor is the last ingredient needed to help all these students to get a university degree or additional training for their working life. After being in this position before as a student in an online environment attaining two different associate degrees as a complement to my current job in education, I am certain the it is possible to teach asynchronously and learn deeply in this particular educational setting.

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What questions do you still have about using asynchronous tools in your online course?

When asked the above question, I must admit that I have already overcome my

initial skepticism of online, hybrid, and blended learning. I feel certain that education can be attained in different ways, and that our technological societies and citizens are looking for extra alternatives that can allow them to work, have a family, enjoy their social life, and also get a degree in a higher education institution.

The use of all these asynchronous tools connected to an LMS platform can be the long-awaited answer that many individual in our home countries have been waiting for.

Why to stop learning and learners who are craving to continue developing themselves professionally, if online, hybrid, and blended education can satisfy the education needs that many individuals have today.