Universities at Shady Grove (USG)

Note: Do not defer to the course syllabus to inform the student about the nature of the course, especially if the delivery method is online or blended. Students who are depending on a 100% online asynchronous delivery will often drop the course when/if they discover that the course is blended or online synchronous. Because of late ELMS access (often 24-hours prior to first day of class), the student (who may have a job or other obligations) is often forced to drop and may not find another course that fulfills a similar requirement. Course meeting information MUST be posted on Testudo to provide full disclosure to the student. If needed, add a section note to clarify meeting details. See Codes: Center and Delivery Method to assign the correct code.

• Face-to-Face (F): Instruction and assessments are conducted through in-person sessions. Instruction and assessments may be enhanced with technology or even periodically “flipped” for asynchronous instruction, but there is no formal, consistent reduction in “seat time.” (This definition is not applicable to independent studies, internships, externships, practica, study abroad, or dissertation/research courses.) Instructional activities may include in-person class instruction and assessments supported by technology.
• Blended (B): Required instruction and assessments are conducted through a scheduled combination of in-person and remote learning technology. Differentiated from a technology-enhanced in-person course, the “seat time” in a blended course is formally and consistently reduced for all students. (This does not include ad hoc situations when remote sessions are employed due to special circumstances.) Instructional activities may include scheduled in-person class time, alternating with online activity (synchronous or asynchronous).
• Online (O): The majority of the required instruction and assessments are conducted with distance learning technology, whether synchronously or asynchronously. Students are not required to be in the same location as the instructor, although exceptions can be made for exams that must be taken on campus or at regionally located testing centers. Any in-person, or live session dates and times should be clearly indicated in the course notes prior to registration. 
  • Examples:
    • Delivery Mode: 100% Online: 
      • A fully online synchronous course with online sessions
      • A fully online asynchronous course with self-paced learning
    • Delivery Mode: 80-99% Online:
      • A fully online course that requires limited in-person participation (e.g. instruction, presentations, field trips, or assessments)

For more information regarding these definitions, refer to the resources provided by the Teaching and Learning Transformation Center.