Asynchronous learning allows students across time zones to come together, engage with their peers, and elevate their craft—even if their lives are also busy with full-time jobs, parenting, or other obligations or pursuits that make it hard to schedule or reserve time for live meetings dedicated to writing.
As a student in a 24PearlStreet workshop, you’ll have 24/7 access to an online classroom. Your teacher will post workshop materials—lectures, readings, assignments—in that online classroom. It’s also where you’ll post your work and comment on the work of your peers. You’ll have deadlines during the week, as indicated by the workshop description, but there’s no specific time of day you need to be online. You just need to make sure to post your work by a certain time.
A computer or tablet and internet connection are required to participate in 24PearlStreet online workshops. Please be aware that some devices, like iPhones and Android phones, may not be able to fully display all pages.
If you have trouble with our custom online classroom you may consult the guidesheet provided at the beginning of each workshop. You may also email 24PearlStreet’s Senior Program Manager for assistance. For persistent troubles you may need to make a phone or Zoom appointment with the Senior Program Manager. Or, you may need to consider consulting your local Geek Squad or computer and internet expert in case the issue lies with your device or network.
The most significant difference between 1-week intensives, 4-week workshops, and 8-week workshops is the level of intensity. 1-week intensives have deadlines and interaction every day, and often include a one-on-one component between you and the instructor at the end of your workshop. 4-week workshops have a few interactions and deadlines a week, and 8-week workshops have a couple interactions and deadlines a week.
All our coursework is designed for busy people. 1-week intensives have deadlines and interactions in the online classroom every day, and some students choose to dedicate time away from work or other obligations to immerse themselves in the course. On the other hand, many students balance their normal routines with their coursework. It’s entirely a matter of personal preference.
While asynchronous contact is the foundation 24PearlStreet was built on, faculty members at 24PearlStreet recognize that occasional synchronous contact—in other words, communicating in real time—has tremendous value, too. Some workshops feature optional and occasional synchronous, or “live” elements. If a course will feature a live element, the workshop description specifies this. If no live element is listed underneath a workshop description, the course will be entirely asynchronous.
No. Whether or not a course includes optional live elements, asynchronous learning via the online classroom remains the primary way that teachers will communicate information and conduct the course. Given the constraints of time zones (24PearlStreet students live all over the globe), internet streaming capabilities, and more, live elements are always optional for students.
