Synchronous learning means that although you will be learning from a distance, you will virtually attend a class session each week, at the same time as your instructor and classmates.

Some examples of synchronous learning include:

Live webinars.

Video conferencing.

Virtual classrooms.

Instant messaging.

What are Synchronous classes?

Synchronous classes run in real time, with students and instructors attending together from different locations.

In synchronous classes, teachers and students are connected at the same time. For this resource - which must rely on a reasonable internet connection - there are platforms/tools, for example, Google's Hangouts. It is very appropriate not only for connecting the other tools, but for supporting up to 150 people in a single online classroom and having no time limit. In this method, the teacher can talk directly to their students, share the screen to show slides, etc.

Here are some aspects that you should consider in synchronous sessions:

• Communicate in advance the objective of the session and duration;

• Establish communication rules (how to participate in the session, for example);

• Encourage all trainees to participate;

• Get the attention of trainees who are dominating the session;

• Keep the discussion focused on the session objectives;

• Summarize constantly to highlight the most important points.

4 strategies designed to engage students in synchronous online discussions

-Collect information about the topics that will be covered in the synchronous class so that students feel more involved as well as having more responsibility. And to bring the necessary material to class.

- Inform students about what will be discussed in class, so that they are prepared and so in class they are more involved and willing to participate.

-Have a social check in at the beginning of class, like a social chat to break the ice, what happens naturally in class, in the online format will have to be programmed differently.

-Create debate/discussion of a certain topic, putting students on the side of pros and cons, will make them more curious and interested.