The past two years have made us all more familiar with working and learning online, and this situation has introduced some new words to our common vocabulary (and made some old words much more frequent)! Today I’d like to share some of the vocabulary that has been used to talk about learning during the pandemic.

Let’s start with the two most important words, synchronous and asynchronous (adjectives). Before the pandemic, these were very rare words, but these days everyone who teaches or learns online needs to know them.

Synchronous is defined as “existing or occurring at the same time”, while asynchronous means the opposite (“not existing or happening at the same time”). 

Synchronous learning takes place when the teacher and student are working together at the same time. This could be a Skype or Zoom lesson in which the teacher and student(s) are interacting verbally (speaking to each other), but it could also be collaborating on a Google Doc at the same time. 

Asynchronous learning, however, is completed by students on their own time. There is no immediate interaction. This could be reading an article, writing an essay, or posting on a forum. The teacher may give feedback or comment on a student’s work at a later time.  

Next, let’s talk about face-to-face or in-person learning, terms that people often use to describe being physically present in a classroom. Technically, however, you’re still face-to-face with someone during an online class and you’re also there in person, just not in the same physical location! Even the term in-class learning could be used to describe an online class! For now, though, all of these terms are still typically used to describe classes in which the teacher and student(s) are in the same physical location (the ‘old’ or ‘traditional’ style of teaching and learning).

Note: You might be wondering which is correct: in-person or in person and in-class or in class. It depends on how they’re being used! You should use the hyphenated in-person and in-class as adjectives, as in “We’re moving to in-person learning next week,” but you should use in person and in class as adverbs, as in “I’m attending classes in person this week.”

Now, let’s wrap up Part 1 with one of the most important phrases for anyone who has learned online - “You’re muted!” or “You’re on mute!”

If someone is unable to speak, they are “mute” (adjective), usually because they are not able to produce sound or they are too shocked/scared/surprised to produce sound. The verb “to mute” has been around for a while, as you can, for example, mute your television (make it unable to produce sound). Of course, you can mute yourself on Skype or Zoom as well (and the host of a meeting can mute others). When something has been done to make you mute, you have been muted. When someone is trying to speak but they are muted, simply say “You’re muted!” or “You’re on mute!” to let them know.

Well, that’s probably enough for today. Let’s look at some more words related to learning during the pandemic next time in Part 2. Until then, take care and have a great day!

Zach