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The pros of a hybrid or blend of synchronous and asynchronous environment is that students get the advantage of real time interaction and flexible independent work time (Wintemute, 2022). A hybrid environment is effective in giving students a sense of community and having in depth discussions during synchronous time. The cons for teachers and students is establishing a schedule to balance the synchronous and asynchronous time. Each grade level will have to establish synchronous and asynchronous learning minutes appropriate for the students.

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Some pros are greater student engagement, real time feedback, and direct communication with the teacher and students (Wintemute, 2022). Some cons are the set meeting times which may be difficult with student schedules, Wifi issues, and some students may feel uncomfortable (Wintemute, 2022). Strategies for implementing Synchronous learning may be different for different grade levels. For example, younger students may not be able to sit in a videoconference for as long as upper grade students, and may require additional support from parents.

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Pros & Cons of Asynchronous Environments

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Pros & Cons of Asynchronous Environments

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Some pros are flexible schedules for students, better accessibility, and students can work at their own pace (Wintemute, 2022). Some cons are students may feel disconnected from peers and teachers, distractions and procrastination, and less support from the teacher or aide for individual learning needs (Wintemute, 2022). Strategies for implementing asynchronous learning will depend on the independence level of students. For example, upper grade students may be able to work on more challenging projects during asynchronous time, while younger students may need more teacher support or scaffolds.

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This theory states that learning happens digitally, and technology is a major factor in the learning process (360 Learning, 2022). One instructional strategy that can be used with this theory is social learning. Social learning gives students opportunities to share ideas, opinions, and learn from each other within a safe space (360 Learning, 2022). This can take place synchronously, during face-to-face interactions, or asynchronously, through discussion boards.

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Audacity is a free online audio software tool to make podcasts. Students can share their podcasts on the school LMS or class social media page for others to view asynchronously (Z. D., 2021). Student made podcasts support the Connectivism theory because students can collaborate digitally to share ideas and interview each other in the distance learning environment (360 Learning, 2022).

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Audacity ® | Free Audio editor, recorder, music making and more!

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Audacity is the world’s most popular audio editing and recording app. Edit, mix, and enhance your audio tracks with the power of Audacity. Download now!

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Class Dojo is a classroom management tool that supports the Connectivism theory because the digital tool connects people together. The platform brings students, families, and teachers together digitally to build a community online (Class Dojo, 2022). Students receive awards or points for positive behaviors and feedback in real time (360 Learning, 2022). This will support implementation in a synchronous or asynchronous environment by using positive reinforcement for online and face-to-face participation, collaboration, and discussion. The tool also helps parents stay involved with how their student is doing during synchronous and asynchronous time.

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ClassDojo helps teachers, parents, and students build amazing classroom communities.

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This theory for online learning combines the three components of social, cognitive, and teaching (Cifuentes, 2021). It states that online learning environments should be interactive and dependent on teachers and students sharing ideas (Cifuentes, 2021). One instructional strategy that can be used with this theory is using discussion through videoconferencing (Cifuentes, 2021). Using discussion will help facilitate student understanding of content and allow students to engage with peers in the distance learning environment. This theory is appropriate for a synchronous environment because synchronous activities are interactive with face-to-face or real time interactions (Wintemute, 2022).

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Kialo Edu is a tool that creates a space for students to engage in discussion, collaboration, and critical thinking (Dene Poth, 2020). Kailo Edu is best suited for synchronous learning environments because teachers can monitor discussion in real time, and offer guiding questions to facilitate collaboration. This tool supports the Community of Inquiry Theory because it involves the three presences of social, cognitive, and teaching. Teachers facilitate student discussion of content while having social interactions with their peers.

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Kialo Edu is a custom version of Kialo ( kialo.com), the world's largest argument mapping and debate site, specifically designed for classroom use. Its clear, visually compelling format makes it easy to follow the logical structure of a discussion and facilitates thoughtful collaboration. Kialo's mission is to promote well-reasoned discussion online, and to that end, Kialo is free for educators to use.

To put their knowledge into action To sharpen their critical reasoning skills To demonstrate their understanding To engage constructively with each other
Take your classroom discussions online, break down complex subjects for students, and shake it up with new types of assignments.

Try Kialo in Your Classroom

What can you use Kialo for?

Create discussions for your students, where they can put their knowledge into practice, develop their own views on classroom content, and consolidate what they've learned. In a Kialo discussion, every student has a voice - there's no talking over each other, and students have the space to explore arguments at their own pace. Kialo's collaborative platform encourages students to work together to find the best way to express each idea.

Assign students to write a Kialo discussion instead of an essay - or use Kialo discussions to outline larger writing projects. Kialo's argument-tree structure leads students to consider counter-arguments, develop a logical outline of their argument, and visualize how their ideas fit together.

Write a discussion for your students to explore, and set out content in a clear and easy format. Link to additional sources and reading, challenge students to add arguments or question concepts.

How does Kialo work?

With Kialo, discussions and debates are clearly visualized as an interactive tree of pro and con arguments. At the top of every discussion is the thesis, which is supported or challenged by pro and con claims. Each one of these claims can in turn branch into subsequent claims that support or challenge them.

All discussions are private and can only be seen by those you choose to share them with. To start a discussion with your students, simply write a brief description and a thesis (or theses). Share the discussion with your whole class, or divide students into smaller groups.

Each claim has a comment section underneath that allows you to give students feedback, suggest improvements, and ask questions without cluttering the surface of the discussion. Similarly, students can easily collaborate with each other to improve their arguments, examples, and phrasing.

You can set up teams for each of your classes to easily share and organize the content you want your students to see. All content on Kialo-Edu.com is private, accessible only to the people you share it with.

These features are just a small fraction of what you can do with Kialo.
Find the application that works best with your teaching style.

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Kialo Edu - The tool to teach critical thinking and rational debate

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Kialo is a free tool used by educators world-wide to teach critical thinking, facilitate rational classroom debate and explain controversial issues.

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Backchannel Chat is an online classroom discussion tool that is safe for students and teachers to utilize during synchronous learning. Teachers can facilitate student discussions and differentiate and customize by controlling the room settings (Backchannel Chat, 2022). Backchannel chat can be used to increase student participation in whole group discussions (Backchannel Chat, 2022). This tool can be utilized in synchronous settings because the chat can be opened during whole group video conferencing. Backchannel Chat supports the Community of Inquiry Theory by providing a space for student interactions and discussion.

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The Information Processing Theory compares the human mind to a computer, where we process information according to certain rules (Cifuentes, 2021). One instructional strategy that can be used with this theory is making connections to prior knowledge and using background knowledge to optimize the content learned in long-term memory (Lawless, 2019).

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Edpuzzle is an interactive video lesson, where students watch a video and answer questions to show understanding. This tool supports the Information Processing Theory because it breaks the video up into smaller parts, and allows students to rewatch parts of the video for repetition (Lawless, 2019). Edpuzzle can be implemented in the asynchronous learning environment for students to complete independently.

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Easily create beautiful interactive video lessons for your students you can integrate right into your LMS. Track students' progress with hassle-free analytics as you flip your classroom!

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Quizlet is an online flashcard tool for students to study vocabulary words. There are also other features, such as, memory games and quizzes, to help students practice and store words in their long term memory. This tool supports the Information Processing Theory because it gives students practice with the same terms and definitions in different formats to help with information rehearsal (Lawless, 2019). This will support implementation in an asynchronous environment because students can study independently and at their own pace.

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The Constructivism Theory states that students construct their own learning through experience and reflection (Fusco, 2019). One instructional strategy that can be used with this theory is reciprocal teaching. In this strategy students are assigned roles to participate in a discussion together (Fisher, et al., 2020). This strategy supports effective facilitation of classroom management for students to lead and take ownership of the discussions so teachers can be facilitators and observers. The Constructivism theory is appropriate for the synchronous learning environment so students can learn through collaboration and discussion experiences.

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Google Meet is a video conferencing tool that allows students to have discussions in real time. This tool supports the Constructivism theory because students can engage in online discussions to construct knowledge and understanding (Fisher, et al., 2020). Google Meet will help with implementation of the synchronous environment by providing a safe space for students to meet face-to-face online.

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Google Meet: Online Web and Video Conferencing Calls | Google Workspace

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Use Google Meet for secure online web conferencing calls and video chat as a part of Google Workspace.

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Padlet is a virtual space where students can post ideas, comments, pictures, and more on a class wall or board (Dene Poth, 2020). Padlet supports implementation of discussion in the distance learning environment because students can post ideas, draw, and comment on each other's posts.

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This theory states that students learn through cognition, perception, and attention (Jarre, 2022). The SAMR model aligns with the Cognitivism theory because it helps students think about which tools would be most useful to use when they are researching and learning independently (Terada, 2020). This theory is appropriate for the asynchronous environment because it aligns with students using their own thinking, interests, and ideas for personalized learning at their own pace (ManyCam, 2020).

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Edmodo is a personalized learning platform for teachers to customize assignments for students. Students can access assignments and work on assignments at their own pace. This supports implementation in the distance learning environment because it is accessible to students during asynchronous time.

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Seesaw is another personalized learning platform where students can submit assignments and justify their thinking using audio recordings. Students can reflect on their assignments and edit work based on teacher feedback. This supports implementation in the asynchronous environment because students can work on assignments, show their understanding, and receive feedback without being face-to-face with the teacher.

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School & District -Subscriptions | Seesaw

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Seesaw is the best interactive learning platform for PreK-5. Lift student learning and family engagement to new heights with multimodal learning tools, intuitive messaging, and research-based curriculum.