Courses - Mode of Instruction Course Section Descriptors Procedures
Definitions of course section descriptors, including details on mode of instruction and synchronicity
Policy
Mode-of-Instruction Course Descriptors
Policy Number
UW-1076Responsible Office
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional ResearchType
University PolicyRationale/Purpose
UW–Madison strategically and systematically uses four modes of instruction for course sections. This policy defines these modes of instruction.
Policy
-
Modes-of-Instruction
- In-Person
- Overview: In-person course sections occur when the delivery of course content takes place in person, generally in a UW-Madison owned/leased facility. Course sections that meet occasionally (e.g., one or two meetings in a 16-week course) off-campus for experiential education or in an online format are classified under the in-person mode of instruction.
- Hybrid
- Overview: Effective Spring 2021, hybrid course sections occur when the delivery of course content takes place during an intentionally designed regular pattern of in-person and online instructional meetings where at least 25%, but no more than 75%, of the course sections are delivered via distance education. Online course sections that meet only for in-person exams are not permitted and are therefore not classified under the hybrid mode of instruction.
- Pre-Spring 2021, Online/Some Classroom: Prior to spring 2021, the definition of hybrid required that 75% or more of the course section be delivered via distance education, with at least one class session (including exams) on campus.
- Remote
- Overview: Remote course sections occur when the delivery of course content and exams take place exclusively via distance education in response to a semester-long disruption of in-person or hybrid instruction, e.g., pandemic. All course activities occur via distance education through Canvas, the university’s centrally supported learning management system. Course activities may be synchronous or asynchronous. Regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor(s) is required. Online course sections that meet only for in-person exams are not permitted and are therefore not classified under the remote mode of instruction.
- Online
- Overview: Online course sections occur when the delivery of course content and exams take place exclusively via distance education and are specifically designed and predetermined to do so on an ongoing basis. All course activities occur via distance education through Canvas, the university’s centrally supported learning management system. Course activities may be synchronous or asynchronous. Regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor(s) is required. Online course sections that meet only for in-person exams are not permitted and are therefore not classified under the online mode of instruction.
- In-Person
-
Delivery Types
- Synchronous
- Synchronous course sections are comprised of scheduled, time-specific meetings which must be arranged in compliance with university policies on class scheduling. Course section meetings constitute a commitment that cannot be rescheduled once student enrollment occurs.
- Students and instructors meet at the same time and in the same space.
- Students are engaged in learning activities “live”.
- Exams may or may not be synchronous.
- As detailed in the credit hour policy, students are expected to complete asynchronous activities (e.g., reading, studying, etc.).
- Asynchronous
- Asynchronous course sections are not scheduled at a specific time.
- Students and instructors engage in activities and with each other, course content, and instructional materials at various times, but there are no scheduled course meetings on specific days and at specific times. Students are, however, expected to complete all course requirements by the class end date within the term.
- Students are engaged in asynchronous learning activities with due dates throughout the term which may include video lectures, readings, assignments, and/or group discussions or collaborative tasks.
- Exams, which can be completed within a certain timeframe, are asynchronous.
- Instructors of asynchronous course sections must adhere to the expectations of the credit hour policy for regular and substantive interaction between instructors and students.
- Synchronous
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources
Approval Authority
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic AffairsPolicy Manager
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional ResearchContact
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143Source: View policy UW-1076 in the UW-Madison Policy Library
Procedures
At UW-Madison, instruction in any of the modes of instruction discussed here:
- adheres to the standard that 1 credit reflects 45 hours of learning activities across the term, and
- involves regular and substantive interaction between students and the instructor.
Note that 1 “hour” here means 50 minutes (per the UW-Madison Policy on the Credit Hour). All modes of instruction discussed here can use a range of pedagogical formats (e.g., blended, active, flipped).
Mode of Instruction Values
In-Person Instruction (SIS code: P; CDR code: N)
- For many instructors and students, this is the most familiar mode of instruction. Generally speaking, 1 credit for an in-person course section involves 50 minutes each week of in-person instruction accompanied by 2 hours each week of outside-of-class student work. For a three-credit course section, this means 150 minutes in the classroom each week in a normal semester; for a four-credit course section, this means 200 minutes in the classroom each week (often a combination of lecture and discussion/lab).
- Course section is not a Distance Education course-section (SIS code: P; CDR code: N)
Hybrid Instruction (SIS code: WC; CDR code: N)
- The range of what is included is broad and flexible by design. A wide range of mixes of in-person/online meeting patterns is permitted for the hybrid mode of instruction. The hybrid mode of instruction is appropriate when there are more than occasional online meetings.
- Online/Some Classroom: (SIS code: WC; CDR code: N)
- Pre-Spring 2021- Online/Some Classroom: (SIS code: WC; CDR code: P)
Remote Instruction (SIS code: R CDR Code: T)
- In-person exams are not permitted for a remote section. Sections with in-person exams should have sufficient additional in-person activities to meet the standards for the hybrid mode of instruction.
- Section is totally (100%) delivered via distance learning technology (including exams), no campus visits are required (SIS code: R CDR Code: T)
Online Instruction (SIS code: WO; CDR code: T)
- In-person exams are not permitted for an online section. Sections with in-person exams should have sufficient additional in-person activities to meet the standards for the hybrid mode of instruction.
- Current Official Definition -- Online only: Course section is totally Distance Education course-section. Section is totally (100%) delivered via distance learning technology (including exams), no campus visits are required (SIS code: WO; CDR code: T)
Asynchronous Delivery notes
- Allows for more flexibility for students enrolled across time zones and with a range of quality of internet access.
- An asynchronous course section will have asynchronous exams, which can be completed within a certain time-frame, or synchronous exams if accommodations are made for any student who is unable to attend synchronous exam times.
- Asynchronous activities may include video lectures, readings, assignments and group discussions or collaborative tasks.
- In sections delivered in an asynchronous format it is especially important that instructors adhere to the expectations of the credit hour policy for regular and substantive interaction.