Modes of Instruction

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This page is designed to provide faculty and staff with an understanding of SUNY Cortland's modes of instruction.  The mode of instruction is the method in which the course is delivered, and may be used in a variety of different course types (e.g. lecture, seminar, labs).

Classroom-Based

Classroom based instruction encompasses all modes of in-person instruction where students meet routinely in a classroom, laboratory or other scheduled campus or community facility. Classroom-based courses meet face-to-face on a regular schedule for required contact hours per credit hour. Classroom-based classes may use online resources and e-learning to accompany and supplement the mode of instruction. This mode of instruction uses the standard time schedule, which consists of three primary meeting patterns: 

Three Day Courses meet three days per week (MWF generally) for 50 minutes per session, totaling 150 minutes of instruction weekly.
Two Day Courses meet two days per week (TR generally) for 75 minutes per session, totaling 150 minutes of instruction weekly.
One Day Courses meet once weekly for 150 minutes totaling 150 minutes of instruction weekly. Additional time may be scheduled beyond 150 minutes to allow for breaks if required.

COVID-19 Emergency Measures and Temporary Alternating Attendance

Due to the COVID-19 health emergency, SUNY Cortland has shifted many of our classroom-based courses to a temporary alternating attendance model. Under this temporary model, a class is evenly split to allow for social distancing. Instructors may determine the method that is best suited for the style of instruction and the material. It is generally advised that classes be split into cohorts based on the number of days scheduled per week (2 cohorts or 3 cohorts generally).  Classroom scheduling has been performed in a manner that will allow for this method.  Instructors are welcome to utilize other methods provided students still receive the requisite number of contact hours and the learning objectives can be met.  For one day classes, instructors may ask students to attend on alternate weeks, or have the class attend 1/2 of the scheduled time on the scheduled day. Instructors are asked to provide attendance information in the course syllabus.

Online 

Online courses (commonly called web-based courses) are offered completely online without required in-person interaction with the instructor or class.  Online courses at SUNY Cortland are offered synchronously, except where asynchronous instruction is explicitly permitted by the department chair and school dean.

Online Synchronous Courses meet online at regularly scheduled days and times, and have no in-person meetings during the term.Online instruction is real-time with students and instructors meeting together. Instructors may also require additional scheduled synchronous meetings and advising meetings to support students and provide assistance.
Online Asynchronous The majority of instruction occurs via asynchronous electronic communication, correspondence or other interactive means. While a course may be asynchronous, instructors may also require additional  scheduled synchronous meetings, advising meetings and exams.

Hybrid

Hybrid courses are courses that courses that meet online and in person with regular weekly in-person meetings.  Hybrid courses will meet at least one day per week using the standard time schedule with the remaining time fulfilled using online instruction. Hybrid courses must continue to satisfy the required contact hours per credit hour.  Hybrid course online components are offered synchronously, however faculty may use asynchronous instruction by obtaining the approval of the department chair and school dean during course building. Hybrid courses typically meet 1-2 days in the classroom, with the 2nd or 3rd day consisting of synchronous online instruction. No special notation is required for synchronous versus asynchronous instruction on the course schedule.

Blended

Blended courses meet mostly online, but have required face-to-face meetings with less frequency than once-per-week. Blended section may have as few as one in-person meeting depending on the format and objectives. Blended courses meet regularly at a scheduled time (synchronously) with real-time lectures and activities. Blended courses may also operate asynchronously by obtaining the approval of the department chair and school dean during course building. Blended courses must continue to satisfy the required contact hours per credit hour. Due to the nature of blended courses, no special notation is required for synchronous versus asynchronous instruction on the course schedule.

Blended Synchronous Courses meet online at regularly scheduled days and times, and have infrequent in-person (generally on campus) meting during the term. Online instruction is real-time with students and instructors meeting together. Instructors may also require additional scheduled synchronous meetings and advising meetings to support students and provide assistance.
Blended Asynchronous The majority of instruction occurs via asynchronous electronic communication, correspondence or other interactive means, but also have infrequent in-person (generally on campus) meetings during the term. While online instruction may not be always be real time, instructors may have scheduled synchronous meetings, advising meetings and exams.

Flex 

Unlike a synchronous online course, a flex course allows for in-person instruction as well as online instruction in a single course meeting time. Flex courses are taught synchronously only.  Generally, offering a flex course requires a faculty member to simultaneously broadcast or stream lectures during their normally scheduled classroom meeting time. In-person and online student attendees will participate at the same time, and attendance during scheduled times will be required for both cohorts. This provides a means for students to choose whether to attend in-person or online. This model is most often used for graduate-level courses and specialized course formats, but may be used in other courses with the permission of the department chair and school dean.

  • Students are required to choose whether to attend in person or exclusively online during registration and add/drop. Separate sections are created to allow for enrollment. 

  • Only students who register for the exclusively online section will be classified as remote learners for the purposes of immunization waivers, billing, aid, fee assessment etc....

  • The instructor may permit students who are registered for in-person classes to attend online as needed, but not vice-versa. 

  • Faculty are strongly encouraged to include detailed attendance policies in the course syllabus.