Traditional courses: Courses that meet face-to-face at a particular meeting time and location. This includes lecture, laboratory, seminar, performance, and studio courses with regular face-to-face meetings each week where those meetings are the primary method of delivering course content and assessing student learning. The number of face-to-face meetings is based upon course credit hours, SACSCOC Guidelines (See Appendix B). Traditional courses may be supplemented by announcements, notes, or assignments distributed through an online learning management system, such as Blackboard.
Hybrid courses: Courses that meet a reduced number of times at a particular time and location during the semester compared to traditional courses. The number of face-to-face meetings may vary according to the course design and objectives, but hybrid courses will require at least one on-campus meeting (such as for a final examination). Academic Affairs does not believe one on-campus meeting is appropriate and advises at least 3 or more on-campus meetings. The number of meetings, their days, and times should be published on WIRED/Banner or any other appropriate course registration system used by the University. Face-to-face meetings for hybrid courses may include, but are not limited to, presentations, performance-based assessments, discussion sessions, individual or group meetings with the instructor, or examinations. A significant portion of the course content will be distributed through an online learning management system, such as Blackboard, or over email. Hybrid courses should be designated on the course schedule with an H beside the section number. For example, “English Comp II – English 102 – H1.”
Virtual courses: Courses that have no face-to-face meetings. The entire delivery of course content and assessment of student learning is distributed through an online learning management system, such as Blackboard. Instructors of virtual courses should set aside time to communicate with students via discussion boards, email, chat, Skype, or some other method. Such virtual courses should continue to be designated on the course schedule with a V beside the section number. For example, “English Comp II – Eng 102 – V1.”
Once students have begun enrolling in a course, an instructor shall not alter the modality of the course—that is, change an on-campus course into hybrid or virtual course, or vice versa—except under extenuating circumstances and as recommended by the respective Divisional Chair of the department offering the course in consultation with the Director of Online Programs. Such changes must be approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
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