Mode-of-Instruction Course Descriptors

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Policy Number:
UW-1076
Responsible Office:
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

UW–Madison strategically and systematically uses four modes of instruction for course sections. This policy defines these modes of instruction.

Definitions:
Delivery Type
A component of a course section’s format that indicates when course section meetings occur, e.g., on fixed days at fixed times (synchronously) or as determined by the student’s availability (asynchronously), within the term.
Distance Education

(1) Education that uses one or more of the technologies listed in paragraphs (2)(i) through (iv) of this definition to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor or instructors and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor or instructors, either synchronously or asynchronously.

(2) The technologies that may be used to offer distance education include -

  • (i) The internet;
  • (ii) One-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices;
  • (iii) Audio conference; or
  • (iv) Other media used in a course in conjunction with any of the technologies listed in paragraphs (2)(i) through (iii) of this definition.

(3) For purposes of this definition, an instructor is an individual responsible for delivering course content and who meets the qualifications for instruction established by an institution's accrediting agency.

(4) For purposes of this definition, substantive interaction is engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion, and also includes at least two of the following -

  • (i) Providing direct instruction;
  • (ii) Assessing or providing feedback on a student's coursework;
  • (iii) Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course or competency;
  • (iv) Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course or competency; or
  • (v) Other instructional activities approved by the institution's or program's accrediting agency.

(5) An institution ensures regular interaction between a student and an instructor or instructors by, prior to the student's completion of a course or competency -

  • (i) Providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and the amount of content in the course or competency; and
  • (ii) Monitoring the student's academic engagement and success and ensuring that an instructor is responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the student when needed on the basis of such monitoring, or upon request by the student.
Mode of Instruction

A component of a course section’s format that indicates where course section meetings occur, e.g., in-person, online, etc.

All modes of instruction use a range of pedagogical methods, e.g., blended, flipped, etc. which are not indicated in the Student Information System (SIS) or in Course Search and Enroll.

For purposes of this policy, instruction in any mode: 1) adheres to UW-1011 The Credit Hour, and 2) involves regular and substantive interaction between students and the instructor.

Scope:

All UW-Madison instructors

Policy:

  1. Modes-of-Instruction

    1. In-Person
      1. 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.
    2. Hybrid
      1. 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.
      2. 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.
    3. Remote
      1. 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.
    4. Online
      1. 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.

  2. Delivery Types

    1. Synchronous
      1. 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.
      2. Students and instructors meet at the same time and in the same space.
      3. Students are engaged in learning activities “live”.
      4. Exams may or may not be synchronous.
      5. As detailed in the credit hour policy, students are expected to complete asynchronous activities (e.g., reading, studying, etc.).
    2. Asynchronous
      1. Asynchronous course sections are not scheduled at a specific time.
      2. 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.
      3. 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.
      4. Exams, which can be completed within a certain timeframe, are asynchronous.
      5. Instructors of asynchronous course sections must adhere to the expectations of the credit hour policy for regular and substantive interaction between instructors and students.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research
Contact:
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143
Date Issued:
12-15-2020
Revised Dates:

12-11-2020, 12-22-2020, 09-24-2021, 06-30-2023

Retrieved:
07-20-2025 10:46:31