UMBC’s summer and winter sessions offer multiple instructional delivery formats. The most common are described below.
Online Courses – (O)
- Synchronous –Students are required to be online simultaneously at pre-determined times during the term. Synchronous online courses that meet consistently during the semester should follow a modified or standard meeting pattern with specific days and times. Courses that require only occasional or inconsistent online meetings should include a clear explanation of specific course arrangements and expected synchronous dates in the class notes.
- Asynchronous – Students are not required to be online simultaneously. They complete the required course objectives individually. No meeting pattern is listed for the course, and students do not need to be on screen at specific times or days.
In-Person Courses – (P)
Students are expected to attend all class sessions in-person, at UMBC’s main campus or at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville. In-person courses follow a standard meeting pattern.
Hybrid Courses — (H) / (HL)
Hybrid courses combine in-person class meetings with synchronous or asynchronous online instruction. Hybrid courses may vary in how they are delivered, but the most common hybrid options are described here:
- Hybrid-Standard – (H)
Hybrid-Standard courses follow a modified standard meeting pattern, with 25% or more class meetings held in person at UMBC’s main campus or at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville.If the online portion of the course is also synchronous, the online time/day requirements should be reflected in the course meeting pattern (by adding a second class meeting pattern for the online part of the course marked WEB).Students are expected to attend all in-person and synchronous online sessions. The class notes should include specific information regarding the online portion of the course, and whether online instruction will be synchronous or asynchronous.
- Hybrid-Light – (HL)
Hybrid Light courses are primarily online, with only 25% or less of the course content delivered in-person. The remaining 75% or more of content is delivered online, either synchronously or asynchronously.In-person or synchronous online meetings should follow a modified standard meeting pattern to avoid a scheduling time conflict for students who enroll in multiple summer classes. Add a second class meeting pattern for the online synchronous part of the course marked WEB. The class notes should include specific information regarding days students are expected to attend in-person.
Hyflex Learning
UMBC now offers “Hyflex” learning – a flexible delivery mode using state-of-the-art technology in specially equipped classrooms on campus. Hyflex courses are held in-person for students, while at the same time, synchronously “live streamed” to students who opt to attend remotely. Hyflex technology allows an instructor to simultaneously deliver both an in-person and an online class section.
Main Campus – AD 101, SOND 105, ITE 227, and ITE 223
The Universities at Shady Grove – Available upon request
Hyflex classroom features include:
- Easy setup for faculty
- Front & rear cameras and enhanced audio system that provides an immersive experience for remote and in-person students
- Writable surface areas and cameras that allow faculty to capture and share lecture notes, formulas, or anything typically written on the board
- ADA accommodations for students in need
Submit Hyflex classroom requests through RT to Scheduling-SW. Rooms are assigned based on availability and date of request.
Other Instructional Delivery Options
Departments may utilize departmentally-controlled labs, performance and other specialized spaces to schedule courses that do not fit into the models described above.
In such cases, standard or modified meeting patterns should be used whenever possible to avoid a scheduling time conflict for students who enroll in multiple summer classes. The class notes should clearly describe any modified meeting patterns and/or arrangements.
Classroom Scheduling Assistance
For more information on course delivery options, “best practices” course set up in PeopleSoft, or to reserve a room during the summer or winter sessions, submit an RT ticket to Scheduling-SW.