Conclusion

One defining characteristic of quality distance education is when a course is taught asynchronously, but students communicate with each other synchronously \cite{Bernard_2004}. When considering how to develop engagement in the distance education classroom environment, it is important to figure out how students can best communicate with each other synchronously, not just asynchronously. Similarly, for in-person classroom environments, considering how students can communicate and share ideas both synchronously during instruction time, but also asynchronously outside of instruction time.