Why Synchronous Learning May Be Hurting Your Business

Regular education for your employees ensures your team is sharp, aware of company processes and policies, and that they feel like they are growing in their positions.

The most popular way most companies deliver this training is through synchronous learning. During a synchronous learning process, all students learn at the same time, whether that is with an instructor in front of a class or online via a real-time tutorial. While synchronous learning is a traditional model, it may not be the best way to structure learning for your employees. Here’s why synchronous learning could be hurting your business, and why you may want to consider asynchronous learning as an alternative to ensure your employees are getting the most out of the educational opportunities that you offer.

What Is Asynchronous Learning vs. Synchronous Learning?

As explained above, synchronous learning is the kind of learning you probably did in school. A teacher teaches and all students learn at the same time. Asynchronous learning is different. It allows all learners to learn on their own schedule. This means that they can take their time to digest material and learn at their own pace, revisiting things as often as they need to make sure they truly understand the material.

Asynchronous learning doesn’t happen live. Instead, teachers may record videos with lessons so learners can access them on their own time. Asynchronous learning also utilizes other digital resources like quizzes, videos, worksheets, and more, to make the learning process one that an individual can conduct on their own.

What Are the Drawbacks of Synchronous Learning?

Synchronous learning has its advantages in a purely educational setting, which is why schools have long used it by default. And yet, when it comes to education in the workplace, it may not be helping your employees. In fact, it could be hurting them.

The drawbacks to using synchronous learning for on-the-job education include:

• Learners feel pressure to keep up with classmates when they haven’t actually grasped concepts.

• Learners with scheduling conflicts miss the class and will either lose the information or must go through the hassle of scheduling a makeup class.

• Employees must rearrange their schedules to fit with the class time, regardless of whether its convenient for them or what other projects might need their attention. This can result in distracted students who will retain less information.

• Instructors must take time away from their jobs for every class, resulting in a higher workload and lowered productivity.

Benefits of Asynchronous Learning

Asynchronous learning may be the key to more effective team learning, and in turn, a stronger workforce. Asynchronous learning has countless benefits for learners, including:

• Allowing them to learn at their own pace, so they can ensure they really understand the material.

• Letting learners learn when they have the time and mental space to do so, ensuring they study under the conditions that are most optimal for their success.

• No one must take time away from work to teach lessons. Learning videos are recorded once and then can be used again and again by anyone going through the training process.

Done with Synchronous Learning? Here’s How Viostream Can Help

Want to ensure your company’s team members are learning in the most effective, efficient, and powerful way possible? It may be time to put synchronous learning aside for the smarter choice of asynchronous learning.

To make the switch to asynchronous learning, you want the tools and technology that are going to help make the process easy and straightforward—and one of the best platforms for effective asynchronous learning in the workplace is Viostream.  With Viostream’s centralized, cloud-based video library, you can help your employees learn on their schedule and at their own pace, so that everyone is equally empowered with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

If you’re ready to see if Viostream is the right tool for your team, check out our free trial today.