An image of the desk where students take virtual classes on their own from https://pchujman.cumbresblogs.com/2020/03/15/google-classroom-for-our-virtual-classes-until-march-31/
On 22 February, the Spring 2021 semester at George Mason University Korea started with mostly online classes and a few hybrid classes. As the COVID-19 situation remains a serious threat to public safety in South Korea, professors and students at Mason Korea have been forced to endure online courses this semester. However, as the online teaching system continues, professors have begun to alternate their classes based on class surveys and comments from their students from previous semesters. As a result, even though classes are scheduled at a fixed time, professors are allowed to choose a synchronous, asynchronous, or a combined form of a lecture. Out of all classes offered at Mason Korea, quite a few classes opened in an asynchronous format this Spring semester. Traditionally, professors post their lectures every week and students listen to them individually. However, in addition to that, professors now employ diverse ways of teaching such as an asynchronous class with a few synchronous meetings to have a discussion session, Q&A sessions, and sometimes a short in-class lecture.
Asynchronous online classes have brought lots of changes in instructors’ teaching methods and students’ learning styles. There are both advantages and disadvantages to each type of online class for students. From an academic perspective, students complain that they cannot fully learn and understand class materials compared to offline or synchronous classes. It is due to a lack of interactions between instructors and learners and some technical issues. However, advantages seem to outweigh the disadvantages overall.
Many students commented during interviews with The Voice that a flexible schedule is the biggest merit of taking asynchronous classes. Jinhong Noh (Global Affairs, ‘23) mentioned that taking asynchronous online classes is good for him since he does not live in Songdo due to his job. He said, “I do not have to worry about a traffic jam, transportation, or my other environment to take classes on campus.” Another student, Jeong Jae Kim (Global Affairs, ‘22), mentioned that he could do part-time jobs during weekdays and spend more time on school clubs thanks to the asynchronous classes. Kim also concluded, “The best part of being asynchronous is that you can take lectures at any time you want.”
Another advantage of asynchronous online classes is that students can still take Fairfax courses while staying in Korea. Yoonha Song (Global Affairs, ‘21) has taken Fairfax courses online from the Fall 2020 semester and shared her thoughts regarding this unique form of learning during the interview with The Voice. Although it is sometimes hard for her to wake up at 4 or 5 am in the morning due to the time difference, she said that “[Fairfax] professors try to check not only the completion of an assignment but also whether students actually learn something and participate in discussions.” Also, she could do other work and studies at the same time because of a flexible time schedule.
Despite some complaints regarding the quality of asynchronous classes, there are merits of this teaching format to both instructors and students. For students, this teaching method allows them to experience other aspects of society such as part-time jobs, internships, and running their own businesses. Additionally, students benefit from online learning as they can go at their own learning pace by replaying professors’ recorded lectures and participating in discussions. Thanks to asynchronous teaching, students and professors do not have to be in danger of being infected by COVID-19. Overall, asynchronous classes may be a blessing in disguise for students’ life.
Jeongeun An, Staff Writer
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