ACTIVITY B: Mapping Out Synchronous and Asynchronous Interactions

  • Due No Due Date
  • Points None

Purpose

In "Remote Teaching = A New Kind of Blended Learning" (2020), Cub Kahn, OSU Blended Learning Coordinator, describes how remote teaching mirrors a blended (or hybrid) learning model where there is significant synchronous and asynchronous learning activity.  For this activity, you'll use a "mix map" to outline relationships between different parts of your course.

Instructions

Plan to spend about 10 minutes on this activity.

If you are attending a workshop scheduled for your college, you will complete these activities in preparation for a synchronous session with the Keep Teaching team.  If you are exploring this workshop on your own, complete the activity and then schedule a time to meet with one of your support resources if you have follow-up questions or need assistance in your planning.

Choose one of your fall term courses to focus on for this activity.

  1. Please download and view the Download Blended and Remote Learning Mix Map template, pictured below, to help guide your thinking as you plan the synchronous and asynchronous activities. 
  2. Give yourself 10 minutes to sketch your mix map. If sketching the entire course seems daunting, then sketch a typical week of the course.
  3. Within each circle, add course learning activities (e.g., weekly discussions, group projects, writing assignments) that will occur synchronously in Zoom, asynchronously in Canvas, or in both places.
  4. Next to each activity, list the approximate amount of time students will spend on the activity per week.
  5. Draw lines to connect each learning activity to other learning activities to depict functional relationships.  For example, if there is a weekly quiz, does it cover assigned readings or lecture? For ideas, check out is a Download sample completed mix map.

Blended and Remote Teaching Mix Map

 

Cub also shares some ideas about thinking flexibly about what constitutes synchronous and asynchronous activities:

"You can 'flip' your course by using the asynchronous learning activity to prepare students for an upcoming synchronous session.  Also, think about how you can push the boundaries of the remote teaching environment.  Zoom can be used for asynchronous learning (e.g., to pre-record lectures) and Canvas can be used synchronously (e.g., a Canvas discussion forum used live during a class meeting)."

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