A Guide to Asynchronous Learning for 2025: Definition, Benefits & Examples of Activities

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Asynchronous learning is not a new means of education, but many students recently got their first taste of it thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools across the country shut down and enforced health protocols, teachers and students relied on technology such as asynchronous learning, learning management systems, and computers to ensure the continuation of education.

While educational experts are divided on whether asynchronous learning is truly beneficial, it wouldn’t hurt for parents and students alike to learn how the method works. This article will speak to educators who are just going through the motions and are not convinced that asynchronous education works; who lack the motivation to try the new, engagement tools available to them on this platform; or who lack the training to take the lead and take advantage of the new asynchronous classroom.

How different is asynchronous learning from the traditional classroom and other online methods? What are its strengths and weaknesses? These will be discussed and actual asynchronous activities explained in order to give readers a taste of how this new learning looks like in real time. Finally, these new trends will and should impact global policies on education. What do the experts say? Studies, their analyses and recommendations will be cited for readers to consider.

Asynchronous Learning Table of Contents

COVID-19 and Asynchronous Learning Opportunities
Asynchronous Learning Definition
Precursors to Asynchronous Learning
How different is it from traditional educational systems?
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
Asynchronous Benefits
How can asynchronous learning enhance professional career development?
What are the best practices for designing effective asynchronous courses?
Can asynchronous learning boost career readiness?
How can we effectively assess student achievement in asynchronous learning?
Can asynchronous learning support advanced academic research?
Can asynchronous learning offer a cost-effective route to career success?
Can asynchronous learning expand access to affordable online degree programs?
Disadvantages of Asynchronous Learning
Asynchronous Learning Activities
Learning after COVID
How can asynchronous learning support students with diverse learning needs?

COVID-19 and Asynchronous Learning Opportunities

To many households, this is a new experience. When children are prohibited from physically going to school, but have to attend ‘class,’ children and parents have to quickly learn how to comply with school assignments through computers, mobile devices, and the internet—while trying to enjoy the unusual presence of everyone in the family at home in the middle of a workweek. Working fathers and mothers who could no longer travel to work or who had lost their jobs, find themselves in new roles as stay-at-home teacher’s assistants, with the added consideration of the potential culinary arts degree salary as a factor in their career choices.

Many may look at these online classes as just stop-gap measures or experiments that will be in place until things return to normal. Then we can forget about them. But in its landmark paper entitled “Education in a Post-Covid World," the International Commission on the Futures of Education of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) advises all that we cannot and we should not.

Asynchronous Learning Definition

Asynchronous (which literally means ‘not at the same time’) learning is not something new. It is just something whose time has come.

Asynchronous learning, meaning, it is education that does not require students and teachers to be collocated or be in the same place, to be active at the same time, or to progress at the same pace has been the educator’s dream for centuries.

Precursors to Asynchronous Learning

The following is a timeline of attempts at and developments in distance learning over the years.

1840’s Sir Isaac Pitman teaches shorthand to his students via mailed postcards
1970’s to 1980’s TV/video-based training allows companies to conduct training without instructors having to be physically present. Stanford University Interactive TV network harnesses the power of the satellite so professors could teach to different groups of students in the campus at the same time.
1982 The invention of the CD-ROM gives educators a medium that could hold much more content than diskettes. Interactive authoring tools allow content creators to design courses that let students make choices and interact with their CD-ROM-based lessons. Interactive K-12 courses that feature cartoon characters become commercially popular.
1980’s 1990’s The development of several early classes of Learning Management Systems (LMS) allows companies to develop entire training curricula for employees using on-site servers.
1993 The European Organization for Nuclear Research’s decision to make the internet available to the public opens up possibilities for global learning. Low PC ownership and technical limits on modem and bandwidth, however, stun this potential. At the 56kbps rate of those days, a low-quality 3.5 Mb song would take 10 minutes to download.
2000’s The torrent of new technology enables LMSs to fulfil functions previously provided by discrete technologies. In this decade (and up to the present), we see advanced LMSs providing analytics capabilities, virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, reliable mobile operability, speech-to-text interfaces, and so on
2010 Around this time, broadband and fiber internet become increasingly widespread. As connection speeds reach 940 Megabits per second, streaming sites like YouTube and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) are born. Video chat software and services are offered to the public. This also boosts the capabilities of Learning Management Systems, making possible off-site/cloud hosting.

So the groundwork was in place as early as the 1990s. But until 2020, it was just one of those things that was good to have, on stand-by, for future reference. Then the pandemic hit. And when lockdowns kept people and teams apart but life, business and learning had to go on online collaboration and asynchronous learning became as indispensable as the smartphone.

How different is it from traditional educational systems?

But the experience of adapting and transitioning to this new mode of teaching and learning was not the same for everyone. Some teachers had previous experience with digital learning materials and online tools while others did not. Some teachers were more creative and willing to develop their own materials while others were more used to using standard curricula resources. Hence, the different rates of teaching adaptation.

Similarly, some students will have had experience with interactive learning materials whether in school or as provided by their parents (i.e. interactive K-12 CD-ROMs, gamified learning). Others will have not.

However one looks at it, asynchronous learning definition is a disruption to the way things have always been done in the regular, traditional classroom, characterized by:

Fixed school hours
Fixed place of learning
The teacher/instructor drives the direction and content of discussions
The teacher/instructor makes the final decision/has the final say
Pre-qualified and pre-determined members of a class
High level of personal interaction
One curriculum for each grade level
Fixed pace of learning for all students in a class
Standard and fixed learning materials used
Single path to learning a skill or lesson
Synchronized promotion from one level to the next

In contrast, the characteristics of an asynchronous class include:

No common physical classroom
No common class hours
Self-paced learning
Gives students the power to decide among different tasks/’adventures’
Allows students to decide the order in which they want to cover a range of lessons
More frequent use of technology such as laptops and tablets to listen to pre-recorded lectures and complete coursework
Students get to decide how deep they want to dive into a certain topic, based on their interests

Some methods of education, such as the Montessori system, allow for self-paced learning, self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. But all these still take place in a single controlled environment (the classroom), and at the same time (class hours).

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

Synchronous learning, by definition, takes place “at the same time." This means there is simultaneous attendance at pre-scheduled lectures.

This being so, while traditional classes can be considered synchronous, the term could also be applied to some forms of online learning. Some examples of synchronous online learning are:

Live chat discussions/consultations (i.e. as part of learning management system)
Teaching or training session via videoconference/teleconference
Live-streamed (pre-scheduled) lectures or training

Although these online learning sessions may take place in different locations, the ‘classroom’ or the ‘place’ where learning takes place is the common, pre-determined time.

In contrast, asynchronous learning employs various technological tools so that, although learning may not take place exactly at the same time, there is a continuity of thought and communication between the instructor and the learner and among fellow-learners.

Among these online tools are:

Pre-recorded lessons and training (i.e. via PowerPoint presentations, a YouTube video, etc.)
Email exchanges
Discussion boards (most learning management systems offer this functionality)
Social media group discussions
Chat software (i.e. Messenger, Viber, etc.)
Cloud-based collaboration documents (i.e. Google Docs, etc.)

All these remove time as a factor for effective communication of ideas and even reactions. Although there could be a lag between somebody’s initial statement (i.e. the teacher’s) and the reply of the other (i.e. of a student), the thread is retained in the online tool being used (some tools are more effective than others in threading discussions on a specific topic together). An asynchronous class, therefore, exists across different time zones, and continues for varying lengths of time, depending on the availability and pace of each learner.

Among other 2020/2021 statistics on online education, Statista reports that Undergraduate and graduate students expressed their views that, based on their experience, online education is about the same if not better than classroom education.

Asynchronous Benefits

What are the benefits that asynchronous learning brings? The asynchronous learning experience can be different for each student in an asynchronous class. Some benefits will be more apparent to some while others will appreciate another feature more.

Flexibility This is the very first and most obvious advantage. It addresses a situation where the members of a learning group may not all be available at a fixed time. Attendees are not required to make their schedules fit to a common time. They therefore can go about accomplishing their other tasks at home, or fulfilling their other duties and responsibilities, without missing out on learning—as long as they are committed to allocating some time to the learning task/lesson until completion. Students never need to miss a class.
Removes time barriers to learning This flexibility removes all the time-related barriers and excuses that people have, which keep them from learning. As a result, more people are able to study and learn. Not having a common time will not disqualify them from becoming learners.
Location does not matter The absence of a common time factor makes irrelevant the differences between time zones in different locations all over the world. So even geography does not become a hindrance to one’s participating in a learning opportunity or event that was conceptualized, organized, or held in another part of the world. Learning becomes truly global.
Removes intended or unintended bias Not being in the same space at the same time removes the factors of competition among students and comparison by teachers.
Individualized pace The students are free to develop and learn at their own pace. Slower learners are free to take the time that they need to compose their thoughts and answers, while advanced students can move forward or make themselves available to tutor their classmates.
Creates opportunities for mastery Not being bound by a set time limit for learning provides students with greater opportunities to master their lessons. They can go over their lessons as often as necessary.
Bypasses self-inhibition among disadvantaged students From a student personality perspective, the absence of physical contact and exchange, removes internal factors that may hinder one’s willingness to attend a class. Factors like shyness, insecurity because of one’s physical appearance, disability, or a lack of self-confidence because of one’s social/financial standing. Whether among younger students or higher education students, such factors are at play in traditional classrooms. Asynchronous learning may be useful at reducing stress caused by these factors.
Cuts parental costs of sending children to school In many developing nations, parents do not have the money for their children’s uniforms, food and transportation expenses. The removal of these expenses opens wider the door to educational access for many underprivileged families.
Lack of physical classrooms will never be a bottleneck Still in developing nations, the lack of government and private funds to build enough classrooms is one reason why many school-age children and youth are not studying. With asynchronous and online learning, the costly requirement of constructing a common facility where students can learn (classrooms with running water and toilets, etc.) is eliminated. This will help many nations improve literacy.

Online programs have a way of drawing in and enabling certain student groups who may find it difficult to take these courses otherwise, as the chart below shows.

How can asynchronous learning enhance professional career development?

Asynchronous learning empowers professionals to access specialized training without disrupting work commitments. It supports a self-paced environment where learners can integrate advanced skill development into their busy schedules. This approach is particularly valuable for individuals seeking targeted career advancement through focused, short-term programs. For instance, courses that address critical industry skills demonstrate how flexible formats can lead to rapid, applied upskilling. A 4 week online course for medical coding and billing exemplifies programs designed to meet evolving professional demands by delivering industry-relevant content efficiently.

What are the best practices for designing effective asynchronous courses?

Effective asynchronous course design centers on clear learning objectives, structured content modules, and interactive elements that sustain learner engagement. Instructors should develop well-organized weekly units with explicit goals, utilize diverse multimedia resources for clarity, and incorporate timely, formative feedback mechanisms. Establishing measurable benchmarks and integrating periodic assessments help maintain academic rigor while accommodating different learning speeds. In addition, leveraging adaptive technologies and collaborative tools can enrich the student experience without compromising flexibility. For professionals seeking models that combine accelerated learning with strategic curriculum design, exploring fast track college programs can offer further insights into efficiently structured educational pathways.

Can asynchronous learning boost career readiness?

Asynchronous learning cultivates critical skills such as self-discipline, digital literacy, and effective time management that are increasingly valued in today’s labor market. Learners gain hands-on experience in navigating online platforms, managing independent projects, and adapting to diverse modes of communication—capabilities that directly translate into enhanced career readiness. Furthermore, these experiences foster adaptability, enabling individuals to meet the demands of rapidly evolving workplaces. Research indicates that acquiring such competencies can positively influence employment outcomes, as evidenced by variations in educational pathways and their corresponding earning potentials, as shown in the associate degree vs bachelor degree salary.

How can we effectively assess student achievement in asynchronous learning?

To accurately gauge student progress in an asynchronous environment, educators can employ a mix of structured assessment methods and adaptive digital tools that offer timely, individualized feedback. Implementing clear, measurable rubrics for project-based work and written assignments can enable learners to understand performance expectations, while automated quizzes and analytics help track engagement across different modules. Peer reviews and self-assessments further contribute to the holistic measurement of achievement by promoting reflective learning and accountability. This data-driven approach not only identifies strengths and improvement areas but also aligns with contemporary practices seen in various professional fields, including careers for women.

Can asynchronous learning support advanced academic research?

Asynchronous learning environments can support researchers by offering a flexible framework for independent inquiry and continuous access to digital resources. This model enables advanced degree candidates to schedule research activities alongside professional or personal commitments, fostering a global exchange of ideas via online collaboration tools. Innovative online doctoral programs, such as the PhD no dissertation, illustrate how asynchronous structures can facilitate rigorous academic inquiry while bypassing traditional barriers.

Can asynchronous learning offer a cost-effective route to career success?

Asynchronous learning minimizes costs associated with commuting, campus facilities, and rigid scheduling, thereby enabling learners to maintain employment while pursuing further education. Its flexible structure reduces opportunity costs and offers a practical pathway for individuals aiming to enhance their skills without significant financial burdens. This cost-effective approach can be particularly advantageous for professionals seeking to upgrade their credentials through online degree programs that pay well, aligning education investments with tangible career growth and market competitiveness.

Can asynchronous learning expand access to affordable online degree programs?

The inherent flexibility of asynchronous learning creates pathways for accessing online higher education programs designed to adapt to diverse lifestyles and professional commitments. This model supports the development of curricula that emphasize applied skills and practical, real-world experiences, making academic credentials more attainable for those balancing work, family, and studies. Educational institutions leveraging asynchronous strategies can attract a broader range of learners by offering innovative and cost-effective alternatives to traditional degree programs. For prospective students evaluating their options, learning what's the easiest degree may provide insights into accessible online pathways that align with evolving career goals.

Disadvantages of Asynchronous Learning

Having identified the many advantages of asynchronous education, it is also incumbent upon us to mention that there are also challenges to this new mode of learning.

Low-Touch The lack of face-to-face, personal interaction may make the asynchronous class less engaging to more gregarious students. Having a camera to provide a visual element to the online interaction may mitigate this.
Delay in Corrections Due to the delay or lag between interactions, there is a possibility for the course material to be misunderstood and for the needed correction to come too late.

Asynchronous Learning Activities

Technology is the asynchronous learning instructor’s co-teacher. As earlier mentioned, he or she should use pre-recorded lessons and training, email exchanges, discussion boards, social media group discussions, chat software, and cloud-based collaborative documents to get everyone on the same page (albeit at their own pace), to bridge the distance, and to compensate for the lack of physical presence.

What are some asynchronous example activities?

If you have watched a play, you probably noticed that the actors exaggerate everything they do. Instead of just waving, they wave their hands widely; instead of just winking, they add a bob to their head. This is because they are aware that the distance between them and the audience can ‘drown’ their message whether verbal or physical.

It is the same way with asynchronous learning activities. The instructor can assume that while the student is going through the activity, there will be distractions and interruptions all around him. So the teacher or trainer has to make sure that the activity is ‘louder’ and more engaging than the disturbances at the learner’s end.

Among the things the teacher can do to keep learners engaged are the following:

Create a video of the lesson. But do not stop there. Add documents (i.e. links to shared online documents), running text, photos, slides, and sound! That sounds like a full production number. But tools like Moovly will take care of the technicalities so teachers can focus on their content.
Show them how to do it. Demonstrations are the best way to impart a lesson, especially if it has to do with a process, a physical movement, a sport or skill more so if it is something the students have never done or been exposed to before. Remember, learners, especially children, are mimics and love to imitate human models who can show them how to do something right.
Discuss, talk, react! There are discussion boards, chat applications, and social media that asynchronous instructors can take advantage of to make sure everyone understood the instructions, is on the same page, and is proceeding in the right direction. Students can likewise show their responses and reactions to the teacher’s or their classmates’ statements. Communication takes on a whole new dimension when it happens online, adopting a whole new set of symbols and meanings other than the alphabet’s. Make sure you are familiar with your emojis and look for engaging gif images that add action/animation to your messages. In a synchronous class, the teacher would talk louder or crack a quick joke to wake students up. In an asynchronous class, there are new ways to do this.
Do it together! Design a group project that requires teams to interact and communicate with each other to complete the task. It could be a presentation about a place everyone wants to visit, but could not because of current restrictions, thinking of inspirational company names, or it could be a simple computer program. Groups can use real-time collaboration documents such as Google Docs or shared cloud folders like Dropbox to build their project. The online nature of asynchronous communication helps to draw out normally timid and non-participative students. Some teachers would allow students to use anonymous ‘handles’ or online names. This eliminates the usual synchronous class dynamics where discussions are normally dominated by the louder, more extroverted students. It also removes instructor bias in evaluating and grading the results of student activities.
Gamify! Who does not love games? Games have become a part of the millennial android generation’s lifestyle. Use this to your advantage by designing games that help them to practice what they just learned. For instance, you can use a Jeopardy game maker to quiz students on previous lessons. Apps like Quizlet and Sugarcane also help you to create an online learning-gaming experience for your students to motivate them and keep them engaged. Guide2Research predicts a higher integration of gamification into elearning systems in the coming years as a means of winning the minds of this mobile generation.

Learning after COVID

When and if the resolution of the Covid-19 pandemic reverts the world to the way it was before, will learning suddenly jump back to where it left off and put aside all the online, asynchronous, elearning techniques learned during the quarantine periods?

In its white paper entitled “Education in a Post-COVID World: Nine Ideas for Public Action" (2020), UNESCO recommends a redefinition of what “right to education" means, what “the common good" is, and what structures and platforms are necessary to dispense these. In a very practical way, COVID-19 has made the world realize that connectivity, or a simple internet connection, is a lifeline to education.

Educational bureaucracies also need to give autonomy to teachers who are in the right place to understand their students’ real needs and to devise the appropriate and timely solutions for these. And the way to empower them is by providing plenty of free and open source technologies.

“The educational systems best prepared to respond to the crisis will be those that are capable of valuing their teachers and giving them the conditions for autonomous and collaborative work. This crisis revealed the difficulty of dealing with unexpected situations in centralized bureaucracies and showed us that the real capacity for response and innovation lies in the initiative of educators who, together with parents and communities, have in many cases found ingenious and contextualized solutions." (UNESCO, 2020)

A provocatively titled paper, “Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis," posits that this current pandemic was a catalyst for asynchronous learning and the many variants of elearning. The paper’s objective was “to explore the growth of EdTech Start-ups and online learning" and to provide an “analysis of online learning during the Corona Virus pandemic and natural disasters" (S. Dhawan, 2020). And he notes how the fast-growing EdTech industry has responded to UNESCO’s call, risen to the challenge, and provided free courses and e-resources to students. A study by KPMG and Google predicted this growth in 2017 and projected that by 2021, EdTech would become a $2 billion-dollar industry by 2021. But with the COVID-19 pandemic driving the industry on, it may well exceed that. The Director of AI English in Australia, Li Kang, observes, “Online Learning is the future and if there was no virus, that realization would have taken another few years but this has accelerated the process."

How can asynchronous learning support students with diverse learning needs?

Asynchronous learning environments offer unique benefits for students with diverse learning needs, providing flexibility, accessibility, and customization options that traditional settings may lack. By allowing students to engage with materials at their own pace and on their own time, asynchronous learning helps to create a more inclusive educational experience.

Individualized Pacing: Students with learning disabilities or those who require more time to process information benefit from the ability to review lectures, materials, and instructions as needed without the pressure of keeping up with classmates in real time.
Content Customization: Asynchronous platforms often allow educators to include various forms of content—such as videos, audio recordings, and interactive quizzes—that can cater to different learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic preferences.
Accessible Technology: Many asynchronous learning systems integrate accessibility tools, such as screen readers, captions, and adjustable font sizes, making course materials more usable for students with disabilities.
Reduced Anxiety for Introverted Students: For students who experience social anxiety or feel uncomfortable in traditional classroom discussions, asynchronous discussion boards and email exchanges offer a comfortable way to participate without real-time social pressures.
Parental and Caregiver Involvement: Asynchronous learning can facilitate greater involvement from parents or caregivers who can support students at home, ensuring that they fully understand tasks and have help with structuring their study time.
Extended Support for English Language Learners (ELL): ELL students can take the time to translate and understand course content at their own pace, fostering a more positive and manageable learning experience.

eLearning from the COVID Emergency

What this means for educators is that they cannot go back to their old, comfortable, digitally isolated classrooms and teaching methods. COVID-19 was the Rubicon of global elearning. Education has come this far bridging distances and eradicating time, geographic, and financial barriers to learning. There is no good reason to turn back.

With a return to the classrooms, it will probably be possible to have the best of both worlds and apply blended learning. We can only build on this pandemic learning and go farther now that we are better prepared to deliver learning regardless of whatever calamities or pandemic might strike the world in the future.

What shape will elearning and asynchronous learning evolve into? Is EdTech and the infusion of technology into classrooms the future of Learning Management Systems? We may not have to wait for the COVID pandemic to end before we see the answer to these questions.

Key Insights

Flexibility and Accessibility: Asynchronous learning allows students to access educational materials and complete assignments on their own schedules, removing the constraints of fixed class times and locations.
Personalized Learning Pace: Students can learn at their own pace, revisiting materials as needed and spending more time on challenging topics, leading to better understanding and mastery.
Global Reach: The lack of time and location constraints enables students from different time zones and geographical areas to participate in the same learning opportunities, making education truly global.
Cost-Effective: Asynchronous learning can reduce costs related to commuting, housing, and physical classroom resources, making education more accessible to a wider audience.
Reduced Barriers for Participation: This mode of learning can help students who may feel inhibited in traditional classroom settings due to shyness, disabilities, or social anxiety, by allowing them to participate in a less pressured environment.
Technological Integration: Utilization of various technological tools such as pre-recorded lessons, discussion boards, social media groups, and collaborative documents enhances the learning experience and facilitates continuous interaction between teachers and students.
Parental and Logistical Benefits: Asynchronous learning reduces the financial burden on parents for uniforms, transportation, and food, especially in developing countries, and eliminates the need for physical classroom infrastructure.

FAQ

What is asynchronous learning? Asynchronous learning is a form of education that does not require students and teachers to be present at the same time or place. It allows students to access course materials, lectures, and assignments at their convenience, facilitating self-paced learning.
How does asynchronous learning differ from traditional and synchronous learning? Traditional and synchronous learning require students and teachers to be present simultaneously in a classroom or virtual setting, with fixed schedules and real-time interactions. In contrast, asynchronous learning provides flexibility in timing and location, with materials accessible at any time, allowing students to learn at their own pace.
What are the benefits of asynchronous learning? Benefits include flexibility in scheduling, the ability to learn at one's own pace, global accessibility, cost savings, reduced barriers for participation, and the effective integration of technology to enhance learning.
What are some disadvantages of asynchronous learning? Disadvantages include the lack of face-to-face interaction, potential delays in feedback and corrections, the need for strong self-discipline and time management skills, and the possibility of feeling isolated or less engaged without real-time interactions.
What types of activities are included in asynchronous learning? Activities can include watching pre-recorded video lessons, participating in discussion boards, engaging in email exchanges, collaborating on cloud-based documents, completing assignments and quizzes, and using social media for group discussions and projects.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the adoption of asynchronous learning? The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of asynchronous learning as schools and universities shifted to online education to continue teaching despite lockdowns and social distancing measures. This shift highlighted the effectiveness and potential of asynchronous learning as a viable educational model.
What technologies support asynchronous learning? Technologies that support asynchronous learning include learning management systems (LMS), pre-recorded video platforms, discussion forums, email, social media, collaborative tools like Google Docs and Dropbox, and various educational apps and software.
Can asynchronous learning be as effective as traditional classroom learning? Yes, when implemented effectively, asynchronous learning can be as effective as traditional classroom learning. It provides flexibility, personalized pacing, and access to a wealth of resources, which can enhance understanding and retention of material.
What is the future of asynchronous learning post-COVID-19? The future of asynchronous learning looks promising, with potential for blended learning models that combine the best of both synchronous and asynchronous methods. The pandemic has demonstrated the effectiveness of online education, and it is likely that asynchronous learning will continue to play a significant role in the educational landscape.
How can educators make asynchronous learning more engaging for students? Educators can make asynchronous learning more engaging by incorporating multimedia elements like videos, interactive activities, and gamified learning experiences. They can also foster interaction through discussion boards, group projects, and timely feedback, and by using technology to create dynamic and interactive learning environments.