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UD Modalities

What are Modalities?

There are six course modalities (also called "instructional methods") that are used to define general course characteristics. 

A course's designated modality will help students know:

  • Where their course is located (e.g. on campus or fully online)
  • When their course is meeting (e.g. regular meeting times or no meeting times)
  • How they are expected to engage (e.g. attend class or independent online activities)

These modalities should help students understand the general expectations of courses as they register for classes. 

The modalities mostly fall under two main categories: On Campus and Online. There is an additional modality called Flex that is either on campus or online. 

Please see the definitions for each modality and an infographic below.

Infographic of modalities at UD. Text definition from the graphic are supplied lower on this page.
See larger version of infographic.

 

Departments and instructors make decisions about which courses are offered under which modality. You can see a course's modality when you browse classes in Porches during the registration period. 

 

 

 

On Campus Modalities

On Campus

This course modality meets on campus with instruction delivered directly to students by an instructor in a classroom setting. Students attend in-person at designated dates and times. This modality may be supplemented with online materials, but student seat time is offered only through in-person synchronous meetings. All requirements for seat time as required by accreditation are met through regular attendance of students in live class sessions with the appropriate number of out-of-class activities to meet the minimum engagement requirements. 

Modality Characteristics:

  • Meeting Location: On Campus
  • Scheduled Attendance: Always
  • Independent Online Work: Occasionally
  • Example: Class meets on campus on MWF from 8:00 - 8:50 AM.

On Campus Hybrid

This course modality meets on-campus with instruction delivered directly to students by an instructor in a classroom setting. Students attend in-person at designated dates and times; however, the frequency of in-person classes is reduced and the amount of online coursework increased. Normally, 30% or more of the learning activities are designated as asynchronous online. This allows for greater flexibility for students who prefer not to attend classes 2-3 times a week or are unable to attend at a high frequency due to work schedules or other obligations. All requirements for seat time as required by accreditation are met through attendance in live class sessions supplemented with appropriate online activities to meet the minimum engagement requirements. Seat time is replaced by online activities.

Modality Characteristics:

  • Meeting Location: On Campus
  • Scheduled Attendance: Sometimes
  • Independent Online Work: Regularly
  • Example: Class meets on campus on 6 specified dates throughout the semester. All other coursework is completed independently online. 

 

Online Modalities


Online Synchronous

This course modality requires student attendance in a synchronous (real-time) setting via Zoom or another web conferencing platform. These virtual class sessions take the place of the face-to-face course meeting. These dates/times are communicated to students before registering for the course. All supporting materials are supplied via the learning management system. All requirements for seat time as required by accreditation are met through regular attendance of students in virtual class sessions. 

Modality Characteristics:

  • Meeting Location: Online
  • Scheduled Attendance: Always
  • Independent Online Work: Occasionally
  • Example: Class meets online via Zoom on MWF from 8:00 - 8:50 AM.

Online Hybrid

This course modality requires student attendance in a synchronous (real-time) setting via Zoom or other web conferencing platforms at certain dates and times but with less frequency than standard online synchronous courses. This modality must be supplemented with online materials and student seat time is offered through online synchronous meetings as well as online asynchronous activities. Normally, 30% or more of the learning activities are designated as asynchronous online. All requirements for seat time as required by accreditation are met through a combination of attendance in live class sessions through web conferencing and through appropriate online activities. Seat time is replaced by online activities.

Modality Characteristics:

  • Meeting Location: Online
  • Scheduled Attendance: Sometimes
  • Independent Online Work: Occasionally
  • Example: Class meets online via Zoom on 6 specified dates throughout the semester. All other coursework is completed independently online. 

 

Online Asynchronous

These courses use online learning resources and instructional technology such as UD’s learning management system (LMS), Isidore, to facilitate coursework, collaboration, and information sharing outside the constraints of time and place among students. There is no requirement for attendance in live web conferencing sessions. All course material is delivered 100% online.  Asynchronous courses are generally designed using models of digital pedagogy that leverage the tools and resources in the virtual environment to maximize learning outcomes for students who never interact in real-time. These are not self-paced courses but have scheduled deliverables due as the course progresses. Seat time is replaced by online activities.

Modality Characteristics:

  • Meeting Location: No Meetings
  • Scheduled Attendance: Never
  • Independent Online Work: Always
  • Example: No meeting times. All coursework is completed online.

On Campus or Online


Flex

This course modality meets on campus in a Zoom-enabled room while also simultaneously broadcasting to remote students through the web conferencing platform.  Depending on instructor preference, students may be able to change their attendance location throughout the semester. All learning activities, including assessments, are planned in an equitable manner, serving both student audiences. There is no expectation for students who have enrolled in the online attendance option to attend in-person learning activities, including assessments. Seat time is earned by attendance in either the face-to-face classroom or through attendance in the Zoom session of the live class online.

Modality Characteristics:

  • Meeting Location: Student's Choice
  • Scheduled Attendance: Always
  • Independent Online Work: Occasionally
  • Example: Class meets on campus on MWF from 8:00 - 8:50 AM. Students have the option to attend online or in-person.