Blended Online Learning: Combining the Strengths of Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Learning in Efl Context

Abstract

The ubiquitous use of digital technology brings the inevitability of online learning and its varying degree of teacher-student interactions, both in synchronous and asynchronous online learning modes. This present study reviews the strength and weaknesses of the two online learning modes to propose the use of blended online learning as the combination that harvests the strengths of asynchronous and synchronous modes of online learning with the opportunity to cover each other's weaknesses. The recent study employed Aveyard's literature review model as a method for gaining a comprehensive understanding of a specific topic using data and arguments from previous studies. Thirty-six articles published in reputable international journals or accredited national journals published in 2015-2020 were used. This review revealed that blended online learning combines the strengths of synchronous and synchronous learning in terms of authentic learning activities, flexibility, access, interaction, development of critical thinking, comprehension, and mastery, and student-centered nature of the learning. However, it still retains challenges in terms of network and connection issues from both online learning modes. This finding implies that blended learning can be the middle-ground to facilitate online learning with benefits from both synchronous and asynchronous online modes by minimizing the students’ exposure to the weaknesses from the two modes.

Blended Learning Model in a Distance Learning System to Increase 4C Competence (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Communication)

“…This blended learning model focuses on aspects of interaction between students and the material, students and teachers, students and other students. So that this model can provide guidance and direction to students to achieve effective, innovative and creative learning goals (Cahyani et al, 2021). This blended learning learning was created by considering several things such as material, competence, philosophical, social, and psychological aspects.…”

Effectiveness of English for Tourism E-Learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…In learning, careful planning is needed, making learning tools, choosing strategies, media, techniques, learning models, to learn evaluations that are all mutually sustainable (Huang et al, 2020;Ismailov & Laurier, 2021). The use of effective and innovative learning models so that the learning carried out can be more varied and run smoothly (Cahyani et al, 2021;Suartama et al, 2020). The use of the learning model is also adapted to the material to be taught so that the suitability between the two and all components are appropriate.…”

Online English language learning among tertiary students

“…In fact, the results of the prilimany study are strenuous as the findings of previous studies [7] that face to face classroom set up makes students more comfortable than online learning. The strength of syncronous and asynronous online learning, as stated by Cahyani et al [25] are in terms of authentic, flexibility, live interaction, development of critical thinking and student-centered learning process. Further Cahyani et al [25] emphasized the weakness of syncronous online learning are accessibility, development of critical thinking, mastery of topics, enjoyable class, connection issues, and network issues meanwhile the asyncronous online learning are due to the lack of interaction, low mastery of content, dull class, connection issues, as well as network issues.…”

“…The strength of syncronous and asynronous online learning, as stated by Cahyani et al [25] are in terms of authentic, flexibility, live interaction, development of critical thinking and student-centered learning process. Further Cahyani et al [25] emphasized the weakness of syncronous online learning are accessibility, development of critical thinking, mastery of topics, enjoyable class, connection issues, and network issues meanwhile the asyncronous online learning are due to the lack of interaction, low mastery of content, dull class, connection issues, as well as network issues. Some points from the present study are in line with what was stated by Cahyani et al [25] yet in terms of technology assessibility and technical ability did not significantly affect students' attitudes toward online English language learning, but self-directed learning.…”

“…Further Cahyani et al [25] emphasized the weakness of syncronous online learning are accessibility, development of critical thinking, mastery of topics, enjoyable class, connection issues, and network issues meanwhile the asyncronous online learning are due to the lack of interaction, low mastery of content, dull class, connection issues, as well as network issues. Some points from the present study are in line with what was stated by Cahyani et al [25] yet in terms of technology assessibility and technical ability did not significantly affect students' attitudes toward online English language learning, but self-directed learning. The self-directed learning manifest to the attitude toward online English language learning which is a very crucial point as the key to increasing continuance intention of future online learning usage.…”