In-person classroom environment
When synchronous instruction occurs in a physical space, such as a Brick and mortar building.
“In-person learning is any form of instructional interaction that occurs “in person” and in real time between teachers and students or among colleagues and peers.”
Distance Education classroom environment
“Distance education is defined, for the purpose of accreditation review as a formal interaction which uses one or more technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and which supports regular and substantive interaction between the students and instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously. Distance education often incorporates technologies such as the internet; one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices; audio conferencing; or video cassettes, DVDs, and CD-ROMs, in conjunction with any of the other technologies."
(From USDE)
Correspondence education classroom environment
- "Education provided through one or more courses by an institution under which the institution provides instructional materials, by mail or electronic transmission, including examinations on the materials, to students who are separated from the instructor;
- Interaction between the instructor and the student is limited, is not regular and substantive, and is primarily initiated by the student;
- Correspondence courses are typically self-paced; and,
- Correspondence education is not distance education."
(from USDE)
Synchronous and Asynchronous
Synchronous
- “happening or done at the same time or speed”
- Cambridge dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/synchronous
- “of, used in, or being digital communication (as between computers) in which a common timing signal is established that dictates when individual bits can be transmitted and which allows for very high rates of data transfer.”
Definition of asynchronous
- “not happening or done at the same time or speed”
- Cambridge dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/asynchronous
- "of, used in, or being digital (see DIGITAL SENSE 4) communication (as between computers) in which there is no timing requirement for transmission and in which the start of each character is individually signaled by the transmitting device"
Prior Literature on the Dynamics of Classroom Environments
Existing frameworks
The principles behind good educational practices has been identified in numerous studies about education research. Studies summarizing effective theories of learning have gone back several decades \cite{Posner_1982} and underpin how we construct understanding of effective education practices.
One great example is from Chickering & Gamson (1987) \cite{chickering1987seven}, which highlights 7 principles of good practice in undergraduate classes. They argue that the most effective undergraduate classes include the following principals:
- Good Practice Encourages Student-Faculty Contact
- Good Practice Encourages Cooperation Among Students
- Good Practice Encourages Cooperation Among Students
- Good Practice Encourages Active Learning
- Good Practice Gives Prompt Feedback
- Good Practice Emphasizes Time on Task
- Good Practice Communicates High Expectations
- Good Practice Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning