Modality refers to the way in which the course is delivered. At CSUCI the course catalog includes the following modalities. Select a modality for a definition based on both scholarship in online teaching and learning and CSUCI’s Online Course Policy. Each includes corresponding course modalities as they appear to students in the CSUCI Course Catalog.
What Does Learning Design Mean by "Online?"
At CSUCI an online course is defined as a course in which more than 70% is delivered asynchronously online and no more than 30% is synchronous (Policy). Typically, when we refer to an online course, we mean a course that is designed to be an asynchronous online course with very limited and intentional requirements for synchronous meetings (i.e. small group feedback, individual student appointments).
In the CSUCI Course Catalog this would be listed as: Asynchronous Online
What Does Learning Design Mean by "Blended?"
At CSUCI a blended course is defined as a course that meets more than 30% synchronously, on campus or virtually via Zoom and less than 70% is delivered through asynchronous course modules (Policy). A blended course is designed based on the ways in which asynchronous and synchronous learner engagement best support learning outcomes. Students know before the course begins which days and times they will be required to attend synchronous class sessions and which weeks they will engage asynchronously online.
In the CSUCI Course Catalog this would be listed as:
- Synchronous/Asynchronous Online: This means some class sessions meet on a scheduled day and time via a web conferencing platform (i.e. Zoom or Google Meet) and some of the course is completed asynchronously online.
- *In-Person* This means some class sessions meet on campus at a scheduled time and some of the course is asynchronous online.
*Important!* This same modality is used to refer to courses that meet 100% on campus. So it is very important to be explicit in your course syllabus and Canvas Course exactly when, where, and how your course meets for scheduled sessions.
What Does Learning Design Mean by "Synchronous?"
A synchronous course is a course where students are expected to attend 100% of the course sessions on campus or 100% in Zoom on the specific days and times listed in the course catalog. Any change in modality (i.e. asynchronous online) is limited to disruptions in the course schedule such as a professor being ill, attending a conference, etc. While classes meet on a regular schedule, we still recommend designing a course backbone in Canvas to ensure students maintain access to instructor information, the syllabus, can complete and submit assignments, communicate with the professor and classmates, and monitor grades. Organizing content and activities (even in class activities) in Canvas helps students stay organized and ensure learning continuity.
In the CSUCI Course Catalog this would be listed as:
- In-Person: This means class sessions meet 100% on campus at a scheduled time and in a set location.
*Important!* This same modality is also used to refer to courses that are blended with some class sessions meeting on campus at a scheduled time and some of the course completed asynchronously online. So it is very important to be explicit in your course syllabus and Canvas Course exactly when, where, and how your course meets for scheduled sessions.
- Synchronous Online: This means the class meets on scheduled days and times via a web conferencing platform (i.e. Zoom or Google Meet).