Modes of Instruction

The University determines and defines how courses are offered university-wide, using the modes of instruction stated below. Mode of Instruction is defined as the way a class component (i.e., lecture, lab, etc.) is delivered in each semester. Please note that, in accordance with CUNY guidance, faculty may require student to turn on their cameras in online and hybrid courses during class periods or for remote testing purposes.

Course Modalities

  • Synchronous learning refers to instructors and students gathering at the same time and (virtual or physical) place and interacting in “real-time”.
  • Asynchronous learning refers to students accessing materials at their own pace and interacting with each other over longer periods.
     

Modality

Value

Description

In Person P in Person In-person classes require all contact hours to take place on campus or a designated location during scheduled times.
Online OA Online Asynchronous Online Asynchronous classes require all contact hours be held online asynchronously. Instruction takes place online asynchronously. The modality allows students to access materials and assignments on a flexible schedule in accordance with deadlines set by the professor.
OS Online Synchronous Online Synchronous courses resemble on-campus In-Person ones in that students must be (virtually) present at the same time. All required instructional hours are online
OM Online Mix Online Mix classes offer a combination of online synchronous meetings and asynchronous online work.
Hybrid HA Hybrid Asynchronous Hybrid classes offer a combination of in-person and online instruction/contact hours. Contact includes instruction, learning activities, and interactions (both student-student and/or student-instructor).
HS Hybrid Synchronous Hybrid classes offer a combination of in-person and online instruction/contact hours. Contact includes instruction, learning activities, and interactions (both student-student and/or studentinstructor)
HF HyField HyField classes offer a combination of in-person instruction hours that occur off campus doing field-based experiential learning (e.g., primary research, museum visits, local or international team-based projects for a nonprofit or company) during scheduled times and online instruction hours that may be asynchronous and/or synchronous. HyField classes do not require classroom access—all in-person instruction occurs off-campus.
Hyflex HX HyFlex A HyFlex course provides students multiple learning paths and is distinguished from other mixed modality courses by relying on individual student choice from session to session, rather than having the instructor determine the modality for any given lesson. The number of formats available to students will vary from course to course. HyFlex courses are inperson with option of synchronous online, and/or asynchronous online contact hours.

 

Class Notes - Why is this Important?
All students are strongly recommended to view the "Class Notes" section of their courses. Class Notes may have additional details about their sections, to include:

  • If the course will have synchronous meetings, and if so, the platform for these meetings (i.e. Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex, etc)
  • If the course is restricted to specific cohorts or programs (i.e., First Year (FY) students, Macaulay Honor (MHC) students, Adult Degree Program (ADP), etc).
  • Whether the course will use special software (i.e. Maple, Adobe Creative Cloud, CUNY Virtual Desktop, etc)
  • Whether the course requires any subscriptions to materials or platforms
  • Whether the course requires a microphone and/or camera