Synchronous Learning

A general term used to describe forms of education, instruction, and learning that occur at the same time, but not in the same place. The term is most commonly applied to various forms of televisual, digital, and online learning in which students learn from instructors, colleagues, or peers in real time, but not in person. It is most commonly used in the context of online or digital learning. Participants interact at the same time. For example, educational videoconferences, interactive webinars, workshops, chat-based online discussions, and lectures that are broadcast at the same time as they are delivered, would all be considered forms of synchronous learning (adapted from: The Glossary of Education Reform, 2014).

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