Mode-of-Instruction Course Descriptors

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Policy Number:

UW-1076

Responsible Office:

Academic Planning and Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

UW–Madison strategically and systematically uses four modes of instruction for course sections: in-person instruction, hybrid instruction, remote instruction, and online instruction. This policy defines and describes these modes of instruction in the context of current university policy. This policy also describes the delivery types for sections of courses whether synchronous or asynchronous. 

• The mode of instruction indicates where course section meetings occur (i.e., in-person, online, or a hybrid/mix).
• The synchronous/asynchronous delivery type indicates when course section meetings occur (i.e., whether there are section meetings on fixed days and at fixed times).

Pedagogy, which includes decisions about how course material is delivered (e.g., blended, flipped, etc.), is not indicated in the Student Information System (SIS).

Most broadly, at UW–Madison, instruction in any of the modes of instruction discussed in this policy: 1) adheres to the standard that 1 credit reflects 45 hours of learning activities across the term, and 2) involves regular and substantive interaction between students and the instructor. One “hour” here means 50 minutes (per the UW–Madison credit hour policy). All modes of instruction discussed here can use a range of pedagogical formats (e.g., blended, active, flipped). 

Policy:

1. Mode-of-Instruction Values (where do course section meetings occur)

   1. In-Person Instruction (SIS code: P; Central Data Request [CDR] code: N)

      1. Overview: For many instructors and students, this is the most familiar mode of instruction. Generally speaking, one credit for an in-person course section involves 50 minutes each week of in-person instruction and two 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 sections that meet occasionally in an online format (e.g., one or two meetings in a 16-week course) use the in-person mode of instruction.  
      2. Current Official Definition: The course section is not a distance-education course section (SIS code: P; CDR code: N).

   2. Hybrid Instruction (SIS code: WC; CDR code: N)

      1. Overview: Hybrid course sections involve an intentionally designed regular pattern of in-person and online instructional meetings between instructors and students. The range of what is permitted 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 and should be intentionally planned for a range of 25% in-person/75% online to 75% in-person/25% online meeting times. Online course sections that meet only for in-person exams are not permitted and are not considered a hybrid mode of instruction. Such course sections should add additional in-person instructional activities to fall within the hybrid mode of instruction or go entirely online.
      2. Pre-2021 Official Definition – Online/Some Classroom: The course section is partially a distance-education course section. Seventy-five percent or more of the section is delivered via distance-learning technology, but at least one class session (including exams) is on campus (SIS code: WC; CDR code: P).
      3. Official Definition (effective Spring 2021) – Online/Some Classroom: The course section is intentionally designed to include a regular pattern of online and in-person meetings. More than 25% but no more than 75% of the section is delivered via distance-learning technology, and the section meets in person at least several times each semester. In-person instructional meetings must include meeting more than only for exams. Meeting in person only for exams with all other instructional meetings online is not permitted. (SIS code: WC; CDR code: N; note that the change to the CDR code went into effect for Spring 2021).

   3. Remote Instruction (SIS code: R CDR Code: T)

      1. Overview: Course sections that in normal circumstances would be offered in-person but are converted to remote/online delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or other semester-long disruption of in-person or hybrid instruction. All course activities occur remotely/online (through Canvas, the university’s centrally supported learning management system) with no in-person meetings required or expected. Course activities may be synchronous or asynchronous, always keeping in mind the requirement for “regular and substantive interaction between students and the instructor.” Having no in-person meetings includes no in-person exams. All learning activities are delivered remotely/online.
      2. Note: 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.
      3. Official Definition (effective Spring 2021): A course section that under normal conditions would be in-person but is offered totally remote in response to COVID-19 or another semester-long disruption of in-person or hybrid instruction. The section is delivered 100% via distance-learning technology (including exams); no campus visits are required (SIS code: R CDR Code: T).

   4. Online Instruction (SIS code: WO; CDR code: T)

      1. Overview: Course sections that were specifically designed and predetermined to be offered online on an ongoing basis. All course activities occur online (through Canvas, the university’s centrally supported learning management system) with no in-person meetings required or expected. Course activities may be synchronous or asynchronous, always keeping in mind the expectation of “regular and substantive interaction between students and the instructor.” Having no in-person meetings includes no in-person exams. All learning activities are online.
      2. Note: 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.
      3. Official Definition – Online Only: The course section is totally a distance-education course section. The section is delivered 100% via distance-learning technology (including exams); no campus visits are required (SIS code: WO; CDR code: T)

2. Synchronous/Asynchronous Section Delivery Types (when do course section meetings occur)

   1. Synchronous

      1. A synchronous course section involves scheduled, time-specific meetings as part of an intentionally designed learning experience. The synchronous components must be scheduled in compliance with university policies on class scheduling (unless an exception is granted).
      2. Exams in a synchronous course section may or may not be synchronous.
      3. Synchronous learning happens whenever students are engaged in learning activities “live.”
      4. Students and instructors meet at the same time and in the same space.
      5. The course section has clearly scheduled meeting times that constitute a commitment that cannot be rescheduled once student enrollment has occurred.
      6. As detailed in the credit hour policy, synchronous course sections generally require students to complete asynchronous activities (e.g., course readings, research assignments, group projects).

   2. Asynchronous

      1. "Asynchronous” means that the learning activities for the section that are designed and led by the instructor are not scheduled at a specific time; this may allow for more flexibility for students enrolled across time zones and with variable internet access.
      2. An asynchronous course section will have asynchronous exams, which can be completed within a certain timeframe, or synchronous exams if accommodations are made for any student who is unable to attend synchronous exam times.
      3. Asynchronous activities may include video lectures, readings, assignments, and group discussions or collaborative tasks.
      4. Students and instructors engage with each other, course content, activities, and instructional materials at various times, but there are no required section meetings on specific days and at specific times.
      5. There are still due dates throughout the course and the instructor provides direction for the learning activities.
      6. 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 between instructors and students:
         • Regular: at least weekly in a semester-long course.
         • Substantive: meets at least two of the following conditions: provides direct (synchronous) instruction; assesses or provides feedback on a student’s coursework; provides information or responds to questions about the content; facilitates a group discussion regarding the content of a course.

Related UW-Madison Policies:

UW-1011 The Credit Hour 

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Policy Manager:

Interim Director and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Institutional Research

Contact:

Associate Director -- Michelle Young, michelle.young@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2143

Date Issued:

12-15-2020

Revised Dates:

12-11-2020, 12-22-2020, 09-24-2021

Retrieved:

02-05-2023 15:16:09