42. According to Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, that’s the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.” While it’s fun to start an article with a quick movie reference, it’s important to point out why 42 is specifically important today.

42 is the percentage of employed persons working at home according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2019, the percentage was nearly half that… coming in at 22 percent. That’s interesting, but the bureau went a bit further.

“On days they worked at home, employed persons did so for an average of 3.6 hours in 2019, compared with 5.8 hours in 2020. These averages include all time spent working at home, whether or not the work was done on a scheduled workday.”

I point that out because it’s vitally important to recognize, that in today’s environment, people are working more while at home than in the previous year. Some work more than that number suggests and at different times of the day. But these employees are not just working, they're learning as well.

When the pandemic began, employers scrambled to move all operations, including learning, online. They looked at every conceivable way to make work happen given the impact of the coronavirus. Most figured out a way to manage the issues related to the challenge. Some did not.

What was created, in general, was an asynchronous environment.

Asynchronous Learning

Defining the Term

I’ll admit, the word “asynchronous” is not a word I’ve used regularly in my vocabulary. It’s a bit hard to fit into a sentence to be fair. That said, I live asynchronously and I’d say you probably do too.

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term has two definitions.

1. Not simultaneous or concurrent in time.
2. Of, as in, or being digital communication (as between computers) in which there is no timing requirement for transmission and in which the start of each character is individually signaled by the transmitting device.

Going forward, we’ll largely ignore the second definition and work mainly with the first.

Knowing that bit of information allows us to deduce the definition of synchronous learning, which is simply the opposite. However, to make it official… we turn back to Merriam-Webster.

1. Happening, existing, or arising at precisely the same time.
2. Recurring or operating at exactly the same periods.

When we add those two words to online learning, we get the following distinction as provided by Juliana Scheiderer at Ohio State Online University.

“Asynchronous online learning allows students to view instructional materials each week at any time they choose and does not include a live video lecture component. On the other hand, synchronous online learning means that students are required to log in and participate in class at a specific time each week.”

The Benefits

The General Points

Knowing the definitions allows us to have a more direct conversation about the benefits of asynchronous learning in today’s business environment. I will give you four (although there are many, many more), but first some general thoughts.

Matrix by Cypher Learning says…

“Online learning is flexible, whereas classroom training confines people to a rigid setting. When a learner decides when, how, and what they learn, they’re more invested in their professional growth. Asynchronous learning makes this possible across different locations and time zones, with many other benefits to boot.”

Think about how you would like to learn at work. Regardless of whether or not you are a remote employee or not, how would you like to learn? I’ll bet you a shiny quarter you would prefer to learn the way Matrix by Cypher Learning described it above. I know I would. And in most instances, I believe… if you’re an employer or a learning official within your organization, you would prefer to offer this to employees as a valuable tool to engage them at work.

An employee who has access to valuable training and takes advantage of that training becomes a better human being and a better employee. He/She/They also increase their personal and professional value to the current employer and/or a future employer.

Four Benefits

1. The employee has more control over his/her/their learning. Asynchronous learning gives the employee complete control over learning. To be more specific… what, how and when he/she/they is/are learning. In addition to this, it often leads to employees successfully retaining more information. Why? Simple: they know themselves better than most learning experts know them. That means they will define their own learning programs to fit their individual needs.
2. The employee has more flexibility. Put simply, this means the learning meets the learner where they are by cutting down on the demands of learning. Again, because asynchronous learning puts the learner in charge of his/her/their learning program… the person is able to decide when and for how long the focus is put on learning or training at work.
3. Asynchronous learning can happen at scale. Online content can be delivered to large groups of learners at any time. That means no need to schedule sessions. You also don’t need instructors or brick-and-mortar locations.
4. Asynchronous learning reinforces previous learning. Asynchronous learning doesn’t just supply new information, but it can be used to supplement and compliment previously learned content. This is a good way to provide a review without sinking time into repeating previously learning information.

Conclusion

I took the iceberg approach to this article. By that I mean, I only scratched the surface of what is asynchronous learning and its efficacy in today’s working environment. I know you want more. Look no further than Matrix by Cypher Learning.