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Learning strategies

Asynchronous learning

With online instruction, many of your interactions with instructors and peers will take place at different times (asynchronously). In the absence of immediate feedback and response, there are a number of strategies useful for building and maintaining a sense of engaged community.

Suggested practices

  • Communicate early and often with your instructors if you have questions about the material, you’re having trouble finding or accessing course materials, or you’d just like to know how best to engage.
  • When prompted, engage in the discussion forums with thoughtful, substantive responses to course readings and your peers’ comments, and to ask or answer questions.
  • Independently, or with the help of your instructor, find ways to engage with your peers. This might include live discussions using Zoom or taking advantage of the chat function when appropriate.

Synchronous learning

Some of your instructors may meet at the same time (synchronously) for live discussion on Zoom. You should attend these meetings; however, if you are in a different time zone, meetings will be recorded and available in Panopto. These online meetings provide opportunities to interact with your instructor and peers, as well as help establish a personal connection during this time.

Tips for using Zoom

Zoom is the recommended tool at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine for holding live Q&A sessions and online instructor office hours. As you engage in live discussions, keep the following suggestions in mind to ensure the best learning experience for you and your peers:

  • Use your video camera unless your internet speed is slow.
  • Attend class in a quiet location.
  • Mute your microphone when not speaking.
  • When appropriate, make use of Zoom-specific features, including:
    • Non-verbal feedback options, which allow you to respond with quick signals to your instructor’s questions (e.g., thumbs up/down, yes/no).

Accessibility

Zoom has the ability to provide live closed captioning. If you do not see this and would like this feature enabled, reach out to the Graduate School Educational Technology team.

You may not share recordings outside your class, nor should you record sessions without your instructor’s permission.