What is Asynchronous Learning in Homeschool High School?

We recently had this question: What is asynchronous learning in homeschool high school?

What is Asynchronous Learning in Homeschool High School?

Another request from another beloved 7th Sister. (In case you’re new here, there are 6 of us 7Sisters- Sabrina, Kym, Marilyn, Allison, Sara and me. So, who’s the 7th Sister? YOU are!)

Our 7th Sisters’ homeschool high schooler was asking for his Psychology class to be in an online format. He wanted some video-type instruction, not just textbook.

This reasonable request from teen has been consistent. With them in mind,7Sisters is working on creating asynchronous courses for our texts! Check your email on Monday for the announcement of our opening-soon online courses!

7Sisters’s first student course to launch will be Introduction to Psychology from a Christian Perspective. It will be in asynchronous format.

The world of digital courses can get confusing. These courses can by in synchronous format or asynchronous format. What on earth does that mean? Don’t worry, I’ll explain.

Asynchronous learning versus synchronous learning

Remember: there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school. Therefore, you and your teens can talk about what would make their transcript credits interesting and doable!

For most of the history of homeschooling, of course, online courses were not available. However, now there are an abundance. It can be confusing, we know. So, let’s talk about the formats:

Asynchronous learning

The word, “asynchronous” simply means: not happening at the same time.

This means that students who are taking this course are moving through the lessons at their own pace and times. Knowing this, let’s talk about some features of asynchronous courses. They are:

Self-paced

• Students cover each lesson on their own schedule. This is great for teens who are:
  • Busy and are fitting lessons into a hectic schedule
  • Inclined to have a different biorhythm (In other words, they like to do their lessons at night or weekends…remember, there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school)
• Those who prefer to watch lessons several times or take their time moving through a lesson can do so.

Interesting

• Teens today are digital natives. They are used to being connected to the digital world.
  • Therefore, teens tell us, having video lessons is more interesting that simply reading through a textbook.

Formatted to follow a textbook

• As in many high school courses, textbooks are often required for asynchronous courses.
  • Teens benefit from having print as well as video instruction.
  • Not only that, but textbooks will include the chapter questions and tests that teens need to show mastery of the subject.
• Online courses often include extra enrichment activities beyond the textbook.
  • This is true of 7Sisters Introduction to Psychology course that will be launching Sept 27!
    • This course will use 7Sisters’ popular Psychology textbook and will be taught be the author (that’s me)!

      

Parent graded

• This is important because parents know best what their teens need out of a course and can lean more heavily on that in their grading. For more information on grading, check out these:
  • Tips for Grading (Freebie download in 7Sisters estore)
  • What Assignments to Grade and How
  • How to Grade Tests in Homeschool High School
  • How to Handle if Your Teen Bombs a Test
  • 3 Ways to Assign Grades for Homeschool High School
  • Homeschool Highschool Podcast Episode: Assigning Grades for Homeschool Transcripts
  • Rubric for Grading History and Science Papers
  • 3 Ways to Assign Grades for Elective Courses
  • Figuring and Recording First Quarter Grades
• So, what’s a parent’s job in homeschooling teens who are taking asynchronous courses? You become a supervisor or resource manager, rather than a hands-on teacher.
  • Remember, one of the important jobs for high schoolers is to become independent learners. Therefore, asynchronous courses can be part of that.
    • This is also true for traditional-format courses where teens simply use a textbook.
• We have some homeschool colleagues who offer marvelous asynchronous courses for high schoolers:
  • Music in Our Homeschool (music appreciation courses)
  • FundaFunda Academy (diploma program with supervision of classes)

Synchronous courses

Synchronous courses include live, in-the-moment teaching. This means that teens need to show up at the right time, on the right days for their classes. Not only that, but they need to have their assignments done on time.

Therefore, synchronous courses are:

Taught live

• This is a benefit for teens who like to ask questions in class and interact with their peers.

Interesting

• As in asynchronous courses, synchronous courses are often more interesting than simply working through a textbook. This is because teachers who offer the courses are usually passionate about their subjects.

Formatted to follow a textbook

• As in many high school courses, textbooks are often required for synchronous courses.
  • Teens benefit from having print as well as video instruction.
  • Not only that, but textbooks will include the chapter questions and tests that teens need to show mastery of the subject.
• Just like asynchronous courses, synchronous courses often include extra enrichment activities beyond the textbook.

Often tied to a diploma program

For parents who want their teens to have a supervising organization but do not have access to a local umbrella school, this can be a nice benefit. We have some homeschool colleagues who run good programs:

• Dreaming Spires Home Learning (live webinars, not a diploma program)
• True North Academy (diploma program)

May be teacher or parent graded

• This varies by program or course. Check course descriptions to find out who handles grading.

There’s not one right way to homeschool high school. Your homeschool high schoolers might benefit from one format only OR a mix of traditional homeschool credits, asynchronous courses and synchronous courses.

7Sisters courses are self-paced, asynchronous courses

So far, we have two courses for homeschool parents (yes, you!).

• Freebie minicourse: Intimidated by Homeschooling High School?
• Homeschool High School: You Can Do It! (Video lessons and resources to understand and start up your homeschool high school.)