Synchronous Online Learning Versus Asynchronous Online Learning: A Comparative Analysis of Learning Effectiveness

Learning takes places through various channels. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the focus of educational institutions from traditional classroom based delivery to synchronous online learning, wherein the learners have the opportunity to learn in real-time, interact with course instructors and get immediate feedback on learning and assessments. On the other hand, online learning in the asynchronous modes offers the learners an array of benefits that includes flexibility of learning and assessments. This paper attempts to carry out a comparative analysis of learning effectiveness among the online learners in the synchronous and asynchronous modes. The study concentrates on management students pursuing higher education courses. It describes the problems and challenges that learners face, analyses the effectiveness of the modes and proposes suggestions for effective online learning, specifically for management students pursuing higher education courses.