Post-pandemic online learning: What’s next?
The pandemic has changed the way we work and learn. Overnight, almost everyone, regardless of their age or technological expertise, learned to use virtual tools like Zoom.
Given the ready availability and widespread experience with virtual communication tools, augmenting online asynchronous classes with synchronous options makes sense. However, adding a required, lengthy synchronous session to a course designed for asynchronous delivery limits its flexibility. It can lead to the same “Zoom fatigue” issues we saw during the pandemic. One way to address this is with a flexible bischronous model where learners attend a well-planned and succinct virtual mini-session that incorporates a brief lecture and breakout groups. Learners who cannot attend are provided a makeup assignment that mirrors the virtual session. Bichronous classes involve the learners taking part in asynchronous preparation before the synchronous session and then completing asynchronous wrap-up activities afterward. The Virtual Mini-session Model below shows the timeframe for a 30-minute synchronous session (in minutes in the first column) that augments an asynchronous course. The 30-minute time frame can be a convenient option for college students taking multiple classes or busy working professionals who would find it challenging to carve out long periods for lengthy virtual courses. 
Questions for Discussion
- What do you think of the virtual mini-session model as an add-on to asynchronous online classes or self-paced e-learning?
- What other strategies might we use to improve this model?
I think the virtual mini-session model is a great way to keep people engaged. I believe this was used in one of your courses, and I thought the makeup assignment for individuals that were unable to attend allowed for flexibility with schedules while still ensuring the topic was being explored!
I honestly prefer this virtual mini session model being added to asynchronous courses. Zoom fatigue is definitely at an all time high these days but I believe the mini session can help encourage engagement not only between the instructor and the learners but amongst the learners as well. The mini session can also take place of office hours because the questions one person may have during office hours could quite possibly be the same questions other people have but either didn’t have the time or confidence to show up to office hours. Lastly, mini sessions allow the learners to make sure they are on the right track in terms of meeting deadlines and understanding the material the way it has been intended to be understood.
An improvement to this model could be recording the mini session and posting it or personally emailing it to the students who were not able to participate. Makeup assignments are nice but still getting an opportunity to experience the mini session to some extent could be more beneficial.
I like the concept of the mini-session model, as someone has spent many hours on zoom for the past three years. I think this is the strongest method I’ve seen for getting maximum involvement from people who may not learn as well through a virtual lecture courses.
I have been in the mini-session model before and I think the connection that it provides for an online class because you are able to ask questions and actually speak with the professor to get their prospective on exactly they expect from the student. Also having a makeup assignment available is very helpful for those who schedule is not always flexible.
It is vital to bring people together to discuss learning content and exchange ideas. The virtual mini-session model facilitates this. I have attended classes that only offer a pdf of a slide deck with no lecture or context to bring it to life and find it less valuable. These sessions help learners feel less isolated. One area we need to be mindful of to make these sessions valuable is to ensure there is some concrete activity that allows for applying new knowledge. This application transfers the internal ideas and brings them out into the external world for all to see, enforcing the learning process thru discussion and activity and helping to move information into long-term memory.
I really love breakout sessions because the attendees get to have deeper conversations. However, after coming out of the breakout session, attendees usually want to do a debrief and sometimes that can eat up your time. Usually, I make sure to set expectations at the beginning and possibly shorten the breakout room time to accommodate for more post-breakout room discussions.
The virtual mini lesson model is a basic format that can help learners know what to expect and instructors to keep learners engaged. It’s straightforward and includes opportunities for learners to connect with each other- a major disadvantage of virtual learning vs in person.
Do you find differences in the way virtual learning connect versus in person learners?
Zoom fatigue is real. By adding the virtual mini session, I feel that it would create more engagement with the audience (inclusion is shown in the mini session). Also, this can make asynchronous online classes or self-paced e-learning more attractive to individuals who are just getting involved in that type of learning (and even more so to those who are seasoned in asynchronous or self-paced e-learning).
Thank you for sharing your toughts. I know I enjoy the mini sessions. It’s wonderful to meet my students virtually.
I really enjoyed the mini-session. It is a chance to check in, ask questions, and get clarification on the learning for that module. I have experienced differences in the way participants connect virtually and in person. I find there are more places to hide in virtual training. The trainer needs to set expectations upfront. For instance, the camera must be on, mute your microphone, and participate in the breakout session. In the in-person session, we can address the behavior in the moment, create a break to address the issue or partner up with the participant who may be struggling. When deciding on in-person or virtual it is best if you consider the content, participants, and length of training.
What do you think of the virtual mini-session model as an add-on to asynchronous online classes or self-paced e-learning?
I think the virtual mini-session models are a great add on to asynchronous classes because it allows an opportunity for students and professors to still interact, without having to sit in an extremely long online lecture. However, considering asynchronous classes are meant to be more flexible and on individual’s own time, it may be frustrating to have a scheduled time to meet, regardless if there are make-up assignments, which may feel like more work provided for those students.
I think the virtual mini-session model can be a valuable addition to asynchronous online classes or self-paced e-learning. It provides an opportunity to enhance the learning experience by incorporating real-time interaction, engagement, and clarification of concepts. The live sessions can address questions, facilitate discussions, and offer a sense of community among learners. This model allows for a dynamic and flexible approach, catering to diverse learning preferences. Learners can benefit from the combination of self-paced content and live sessions, striking a balance between individual exploration and collaborative learning. Additionally, the virtual mini-sessions can serve as checkpoints, ensuring that participants stay on track and providing timely feedback. Overall, I think integrating virtual mini-sessions can contribute to a more comprehensive and effective learning experience, fostering a sense of connection and active participation in the learning process.
When news first arose on the Spring 2024 semester introducing mini virtual sessions, I was hesitant that it would change the flexibility of an online course. Now experiencing these sessions, I look forward to attending a quick session to check-in with not only the professor but my fellow colleagues that I can interact within breakout groups. This plan makes students more accountable of their studies and creates community amongst all members in the course.
I like the Virtual Mini-Session. The timeframe is a perfect 30-minutes. It allows enough time to get the point across to all involved. Everyone is busy and some attention spans are not that great. This concept is a good way to deter students from being bored and disengaged in the session.
Hi!
Great post!
I think the virtual mini-session model is a great complement to asynchronous online classes or self-paced e-learning because it provides a balance between flexibility and interaction. Asynchronous learning can sometimes feel isolating or disconnected, and the mini-sessions offer an opportunity for real-time engagement without being overly time-consuming.
The 30-minute limit should be mandatory, especially for avoiding “Zoom fatigue,” and allows learners to focus on key takeaways or discussions rather than long lectures.
On the other hand, in my opinion, the virtual mini-session model can be improved if breakout groups are well-structured and goal-oriented. This ensures that small group activities are more effective, which has worked well for me when synchronous time is limited. Additionally, I’ve found that using multimedia content like short videos, quizzes, or infographics makes the asynchronous phase more engaging and helps learners better prepare for the mini-sessions.
I also believe that personalization through adaptive learning paths is very useful, as it allows learners to focus on areas where they need more attention, making the synchronous sessions more meaningful. Something that has worked well for me is encouraging peer feedback through video reflections or forum posts, which enhances collaboration and learning.
Finally, I think offering optional longer synchronous sessions for those who want to dive deeper into the topics could be beneficial, without making them mandatory.
I love this idea. The pandemic did not necessarily change the education process but perhaps put it on steroids.
At this university, students cannot be required to attend mini-session as a part of asynchronous classes. I as both an instructor and EdD student I believe it brings great value.
In classes I teach, I Would always include what I called periodic “Team Huddles” that are optional zom sessions where we could get together and have informal chats about the course. Way too many times I was the only one on the call, yet student feedback said we needed to get together as a group, despite the fact they never attended.
I solved the issue by giving the students a choice. Either attend the session or write a three page paper. Hence it was still optional yet attendance is MUCH better and all seem to se the value.
Hello,
As an immuno-compromised individual, I appreciate the virtual sessions more since I can interact remotely with the professor or other people.
The virtual mini session is a great idea since it is for 30 minutes and is convenient for everyone. I think it is important to consider different learning styles of individuals and providing these types of alternative learning platforms will have a positive experience for students and faculty.
As an education doctorate student at Roosevelt, I greatly appreciate the various types of learning options that benefit me. Collaborating and learning from one another through Zoom sessions is also very helpful since we all have busy lives.
Thank you.
Ihnki Moon
Hi Kathy,
Mini zoom sessions offer another way that students can engage with their classmates (potentially some who have never even met each other outside of discussion boards) as well as the instructor. I was able to experience your method of mini virtual sessions this past semester and found it helpful in staying connected with those assigned to my group from the ILDS cohort. We were able to check-in and encourage each other particularly when we were struggling to understand or approach a topic. Also, I think it definitely helped with zoom fatigue as it kept things brief enough to help me stay focused and engaged. While you offer the opportunity for groups to meet outside of the once-a-week mini session, it could be even more beneficial to create/schedule additional mini session days or require groups to meet once a week additionally to foster more of that connected feeling within these more manageable chunks of time.
Thanks,
Liz
As a student, I really value having the opportunity to meet with and learn from the instructor each week “face to face,” even just briefly. While I am a person who gravitates to online/asynchronous classes for my own learning, I still yearn for personal interaction with the instructor — I find it helps deepen my knowledge, adds to my motivation, and helps me to “feel” connected.
The mini-session model is the perfect fit. My only suggestion might be that, depending on the instructor and/or the learners, it might be helpful for the instructor to have optional “virtual office hours” for either the 30 min prior or the 30 min after the mini-session to answer questions, give support and assistance, etc. For the sake of scheduling, this might be easier/convenient for both the instructor and the students. But that would have to be determined on a case by case basis.
Thanks for adding mini-sessions to some of the MATD courses!
Jenny Lemens Seale
Thank you for your response Jenny and I agree, combining office hours with the virtual sessions makes sense.
During the COVID pandemic, I had to adapt to online learning quickly, and like so many other people, I used the platform Zoom. While I appreciated the flexibility of asynchronous classes, I really do miss the interaction with in-person classes, which is why I love the idea of a bichronous model. A short, focused virtual session fits my busy schedule, sounds like a good balance. It will also keep human connection, which I think is crucial in today’s learning environment.
~Wonda