Course Design Models
The seven models below reflect different approaches to instructional delivery. The commonalities across them include:
- Faculty expertise in determining pedagogical decisions within a selected model
- The use of Canvas as the central organizational frame for course materials, assignments, and assessments.
- The commitment to strong learning communities, within a course, no matter how delivered or chosen form of reception.
HyFlex
In Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) classes, students select the mode by which they will receive instruction, online or in-person. In a HyFlex course, both online (synchronous) and fully classroom-based instruction are provided. Students will be online and in class as the day’s content is delivered. Faculty are actively engaged with both the students online and in the classroom, building opportunities for communication and collaboration between all learners. All course materials, assignments and assessments are housed in Canvas. The live synchronous sessions should be facilitated in Microsoft Teams. Both a Canvas course shell and a Team is created for every course session offered at the University. Other technologies supported by the University should be used to enhance the teaching and learning experience. 1
Flipped Classroom
“The flipped classroom is a pedagogical model in which the typical lecture and homework
elements of a course are reversed. The notion of a flipped classroom draws on such
concepts as active learning, student engagement, hybrid course design, and course
podcasting. The value of a flipped class is in the repurposing of class time into
a workshop where students can inquire about lecture content, test their skills in
applying knowledge, and interact with one another in hands-on activities. Although
implementing a flipped classroom places different demands on faculty and forces students
to adjust their expectations, the model has the potential to bring about a distinctive
shift in priorities—from merely covering material to working toward mastery of it.”
A flipped classroom model can be used in many of the different modalities of teaching,
Traditional, Hybrid, or Remote. Flipped Classroom. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 3, 2020
Hybrid
A hybrid course is defined as any course that replaces 30% or more of in-class seat
time with online activities. The in-class time can be either face to face or synchronous.
The relationship between the online and face to face sessions are carefully planned
to make the most use of ‘in-class’ discussions and can provide students with a deeper
understanding of the materials. All course materials, assignments and assessments
are housed in Canvas. Online/Hybrid Course Policy. (2017, November 2).
Retrieved June 5, 2020
Remote (Synchronous)
In a synchronous course, students and faculty meet at the same time/same day for instruction and learning via a web-conferencing tool such as MS Teams. All course materials are stored in Canvas for ease of access, assignment submission, and grading.
Online (Asynchronous)
An online course utilizes the Internet to deliver course content, correspondence,
and assessment completely online, and does not generally meet in person. Physical
materials, such as a textbook or lab materials, may be required for these courses.
There are generally no set meeting days and times; however, the use of strategic synchronous
sessions can provide students with a deeper understanding of the material. These sessions
work best as optional and recorded to allow all students to benefit. All course materials
are stored in Canvas for ease of access, assignment submission, and grading. Online/Hybrid
Course Policy. (2017, November 2).
Retrieved June 5, 2020
Self-Paced
In a self-paced course, students progress through a course at their own pace, although there can be a recommended timeline and/or a due date to complete the course. There is little to no interaction with faculty. Self-paced courses are ideal for remediation or certification type-courses.
Traditional Course
A traditional course is taught in the face-to-face format. Such courses may still
utilize technology, such as online resources and activities, or flipped classroom
strategies, but these activities are not meant to replace in-class seat time. Online/Hybrid
Course Policy. (2017, November 2).
Retrieved June 5, 2020
1 Hybrid Flexible based on San Francisco State University . (n.d.). Using the “HyFlex” Course and Design Process | Online Learning Consortium, Inc. Retrieved June 5, 2020
| Assigned Room on Campus | Required Synchronous Meetings | Uses Canvas | |
| HyFlex | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traditional Face to Face | Yes | Yes | Highly Encouraged |
| Flipped Classroom | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote | No | Yes | Yes |
| Online Asynchronous | No | No | Yes |
| Self-paced | No | No | Yes |