Synchronous vs. asynchronous content delivery in context of COVID-19
Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom is pebbly with stars. (Thoreau). Many educators are considering ways to deliver their courses in this unprecedented context of students being in their homes, away from the normal routines and location of the Academy. We no longer have control of the schedule - the students are not a captive audience in front of us at the times that we normally expect. What does this mean for our new context of online delivery? I have heard many educators talk about synchronous delivery - 'it will offer some structure to the student learning experience,' some say. 'By delivering our content synchronously we will provide a valuable service to students who suddenly have lost their anchor points.' I would like to encourage my educator colleagues t