Hybrid (HY), Distance Enhanced (DH), and Distance Learning (DL) courses all leverage technology to deliver formalized instruction. A key decision for instructors is to determine whether students will be required to attend the virtual component of the course at a specific time (synchronously) or at a time of their own choosing (asynchronously) when not meeting in-person. Instructors can find delivery mode planning strategies in the Teaching and Learning Resource Center.

It is critical instructors convey any synchronous virtual attendance expectations for the term—whether for one session (such as a final assessment), for a few sessions or repeated sessions—to course schedulers, the Registrar’s Office, advisors, and most importantly, to students.

Indicating all synchronous attendance requirements, both in-person and virtual, in the Student Information System helps students plan their schedules and affords advisors the opportunity to support student success and guide both students and instructors toward resources for navigating a multi-modal learning and teaching experience. Read more about synchronous and asynchronous learning.

For more information on Ohio State's class labels, view the University Registrar's Job Aid for Class Labels.

*Applies to students enrolled in a campus-based program as their primary Career Program Plan

**When all student's schedule has all DL courses, distance education fees and surcharges will be assessed, regardless of campus.

Examples and Recommendations for Course Schedulers

Create new course sections for each delivery mode intended to be offered for the term. For example, if some students attend entirely online, while others attend in-person, students should enroll in whichever mode—either distance learning (DL) or in-person (P)—reflects their actual participation. An instructor may be assigned to two sections during the same day and time; however, a course section for a particular delivery mode should not be created solely for one-off accommodations. Work with Student Life Disability Services for particular student accommodations.

Hybrid (HY)

In a Hybrid course, 25% to 74% of formalized instruction for each student is provided through distance learning. The remainder of formalized instruction is provided through required on-campus attendance.

Hybrid Course Examples

• Weekly in-person meeting(s) + weekly scheduled Zoom course session(s)
  Enter the weekly classroom meeting(s), with location, as well as the scheduled Zoom meetings, with online indicated as the location.
• Weekly in-person meeting(s) + weekly Carmen learning
  Enter the weekly classroom meeting(s), with location. Instructors and advisors will help explain to students that remainder of direct instruction will occur asynchronously through Carmen; that is, no specific virtual meeting times or days are required of the students.
• Pattern of weekly in-person meetings subdivided by student “cohort” + weekly online learning
  Weekly in-person meetings, based on a standard meeting pattern, where smaller sub-cohorts of students each attend only one of the meetings each week. Note: Because of difficulties related to clearly communicating to students when to attend class in person, these “cohort” classes should, when possible, be scheduled as separate HY sections so students see only the scheduled meetings they are meant to attend. Sections can be combined in Carmen. If students are to attend via Zoom on days they are not in the classroom—as opposed to completing their online work solely through Carmen—students should see each of those remote meetings scheduled, with location as online, along with the in-person meeting. When not using separate sections, some units leverage Carmen Groups tools for students to select their “cohort” group and determine their in-person attendance day.
• Hybrid approach (one of the above) or in-person class with option for entirely remote participation
  The specific structure selected by the instructor for a “simulcast” or HyFlex (hybrid-flexible) approach, where some students attend class in person while others attend online, or where students have the option to choose each day how to attend, should be communicated clearly in the schedule notes, as well as in the course syllabus. Virtual instruction times should be identified with location as online. The Student Information System itself does not provide any straightforward way to communicate this arrangement. It is recommended to provide separate sections, one in-person (P) and one distance learning (DL), because students pay on-campus fees if the class is labeled as hybrid (HY), even if they attend fully online throughout the term.

Distance Enhanced (DH)

In a Distance Enhanced course, 75% to 99% of formalized instruction is provided through distance learning. The remainder of formalized instruction is provided through required on-campus attendance.

Distance Enhanced Course Examples

• Weekly online learning in Carmen + less frequent in-person meetings
  Enter the scheduled classroom meetings, with location. Indicate in notes that most of the instruction will occur online through Carmen. Instructors and advisors will explain that remainder of direct instruction will occur asynchronously through Carmen.
• Weekly Zoom class sessions most weeks + less frequent in-person meetings
  Enter the scheduled Zoom meetings, with location as online, as well as the scheduled classroom meetings, with their locations. If applicable, instructors and advisors will help to explain that remainder of direct instruction will occur asynchronously through Carmen.

Distance Learning (DL)

In a Distance Learning course, 100% of formalized instruction occurs via distance learning with no required in-person components and no specified days or times for formalized instruction.

Distance Learning Course Examples

• Weekly online learning in Carmen with no scheduled meetings
  Indicate location as online but without scheduled meetings. Instructors and advisors will help to explain that direct instruction will occur asynchronously through Carmen.
• Weekly online learning in Carmen + weekly (or other pace) scheduled Zoom meetings
  Enter required Zoom sessions as scheduled meetings, with location listed as online. Instructors and advisors will help to explain that remainder of direct instruction will occur asynchronously through Carmen.

Questions?

If you're still not sure what mode and course details are appropriate for a given course, contact your college or campus associate dean for curriculum or the person responsible for entering your course information into the Student Information System.