Synchronous non-interactive?

11th January 2006

posted in podcasting |

In distance learning, there are several terms which define the instructional pedagogy (methods and strategies) used by the professor / teacher to help students learn. These include:

Synchronous/Asynchronous:

Synchronous: It’s “live.” The teacher and students are online together at the same time.
Asynchronous: It’s NOT “live.” The teacher and students are generally online at different times.

Interactive/Non-interactive:

Interactive: Students ask questions and INTERACT with the teacher and often each other.
Non-interactive: The teacher is just lecturing / presenting content, students don’t have a chance to interact or ask questions.

Someone today mentioned a distance learning program (which will remain un-named) where the faculty are wanting to provide instruction that is “synchronous non-interactive.” My response to that is: PLEASE NO! PLEASE PODCAST INSTEAD! Podcasting is an example of asynchronous/non-interactive pedagogy, but it can become interactive later. (Comments you leave on a blog or email you send after listening to a podcast are examples.)

Why am I responding this way? The only things I really want to experience that involve video which are “synchronous non-interactive” are watching live sports on TV or a Presidential address. For the rest of it, I would prefer a DVR recorded version, a DVD, or a podcast.

How many face to face classes have you been in where the dominant pedagogy was “synchronous non-interactive?” For me that number is far too high.

PLEASE. Synchronous non-interactive? There is a time and a place for lecture, no doubt about that. But please don’t require students to be online with you “live” if you aren’t going to leverage the potential of that pedagogical environment. In cases like that, instructors/teachers need to be podcasting.

On this day..

Wanted: PhotoDropper Macintosh Application - 2009
It is time to drastically slash the number of state educational standards - 2009
Reflections about "The War" and oral history - 2008
Lessons learned moving Wordpress blogs to a new server - 2008
Joel Meyerowitz: Into the Light - 2007
Apply to be a 2007 Apple Distinguished Educator - 2007
Podcast110: Simple Podcasting on a Global Scale - 2007
Podcast109: Reflections on Cultivating Creativity - 2007
OLPC marches on - 2007
Coupon to plagiarize - 2006

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 11th, 2006 at 4:15 pm and is filed under podcasting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.