Course-level Modes of Delivery

Originally published in October 2024

So, you are teaching in a new mode of delivery – now what?

As a part of the education evolution of our multi-campus community at Laurier, we look to the innovative ways that technologies provide opportunities for varied modes of course delivery. This spring, Senate approved the definitions for six different course-level modes of delivery. Some are traditional and easily recognizable (in-person and virtual asynchronous, formerly online courses), while others are new or alternative and may be less familiar (hyflex, in-person and virtual hybrid, and virtual synchronous). While Laurier remains a predominantly in-person institution, alternate modes of delivery, when offered purposefully and with high-quality standards, may benefit student learning and increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates.

As a starting point in building our shared language to support the development of our teaching practices, the Senate-approved definitions for course-level modes of delivery are as follows:

In-Person Courses (classroom teaching on campus)

The instructor and the students are in the same physical location at a scheduled day and time for the full contact hours of the course. A classroom is assigned to the course.

In other words, 100% of class contact time is held in the assigned classroom.

Virtual Asynchronous Courses (formerly called online courses)

Students interact with course materials online in their own time. Deadlines for assignments and tests apply. There may be some synchronous components, such as instructor office hours, group meetings, tests, and assessments. No classroom is assigned to the course.

In other words, no class contact hours will occur in person or synchronously via a tool like Zoom. The course will be designed and implemented on MyLS with the aid of eLearning professional staff.

Virtual Synchronous Courses (formerly called remote teaching or teaching with Zoom)

The instructor and the students are in a synchronous virtual environment, through technology such as Zoom, at a scheduled day and time for the full contact hours of the course. No classroom is assigned to the course.

In other words, students are in various physical places, but are expected to attend a shared virtual classroom via Zoom, for example, at the scheduled day and time.

Hyflex Courses (concurrent in-person and virtual synchronous access)

The instructor is in the same physical location at a scheduled day and time for the full contact hours of the course, while providing virtual synchronous course lectures through simultaneous streaming. Students can choose to attend either mode for each individual class session. A classroom is assigned to the course.

In other words, this is a multi-access course. Students choose how they will join each class and can vary their choice from class to class. The instructor teaches from the assigned classroom.

In-Person Hybrid Course (two+ modes across the course, min. 50% in-person)

Course material is delivered in a combination of in-person, virtual synchronous, and/or virtual asynchronous formats. The instructor and the students meet in a physical location at a scheduled day and time for a minimum of 50% of the full contact hours of the course. The remaining course hours are virtual synchronous and/or virtual asynchronous. Virtual synchronous components are scheduled during the scheduled time of the course. The course syllabus will outline all required in-person and virtual synchronous/virtual asynchronous hours. A classroom will be assigned to the course for the in-person hour.

In other words, this is primarily an in-person course with options for when to include the additional modes. For example, Tuesday’s class each week could be held in person, while Thursday’s class is on Zoom. All students are learning in the same mode at the same time.

Virtual Hybrid Course (two modes across the course, min. 50% virtual synchronous)

Course material is delivered in a combination of virtual synchronous and virtual asynchronous. The instructor and the students are in a synchronous virtual environment, through technology such as Zoom, at a scheduled day and time for a minimum of 50% of the full contact hours of the course. The remaining course hours are virtual asynchronous. The course syllabus will outline all required virtual synchronous hours. No classroom is assigned to the course.

In other words, this course is primarily a virtual synchronous course with options for when to include virtual asynchronous learning. For example, a rotating monthly schedule through the term of three weeks on Zoom and one week with a lesson developed for student engagement on MyLS. All students are learning in the same mode at the same time.