Models of Course Delivery
As research in teaching and learning continue to evolve, instructors are faced with a wide range of options for how to deliver their courses. Whether instruction takes place in a traditional classroom, online, or through a combination of both, the goal remains the same: to create meaningful and effective learning experiences for all students. At ITLE, we support instructors in selecting delivery models that align with course and program goals while meeting students’ diverse needs.
Models of Course Delivery - Overview
This overview outlines the key characteristics of several widely recognized course delivery models—ranging from fully face-to-face to fully online. Understanding these distinctions can help guide informed decisions about course design and implementation. More detailed information and guidance on each model, along with implementation support, are available in the resources that follow.
Models of Course Delivery: Classroom Course
A traditional classroom course is typically organized around regularly scheduled class meetings with some degree of required student attendance. While face-to-face courses may utilize technological tools and resources, they are anchored in the idea that the bulk of teaching occurs in physical classroom spaces. Student learning in this model may include attending lectures and/or laboratory sessions, participating in group activities, field work, or internships. The remaining examples list and explain pertinent online teaching delivery models.
Models of Course Delivery: Synchronous Distributed Course
Courses using this model use synchronous technologies—existing or occurring at the same time—to broadcast classes to students who are typically in off-campus locations. Our departments of Educational Technology Services and Meetings & Events Services can assist you in selecting and implementing the appropriate technology to achieve this goal.
Additional Information for Synchronous Distributed Courses
Models of Course Delivery: Web-Enhanced Course
Web-enhanced courses are similar to courses following the traditional classroom teaching model, but offer additional learning experiences via the internet. These internet experiences enhance classroom activities, and may replace up to 20 percent of what is considered traditional classroom work. Web-enhanced courses require well-developed materials on the learning management system, which place them further along the continuum toward blended or hybrid learning.
Additional Information for Web-Enhanced Courses
Models of Course Delivery: Blended Learning (also called Hybrid Learning)
- Blended Classroom Course – Online activity is mixed with classroom meetings, replacing
a significant percentage of, but not all required face-to-face instructional activities.
A blended classroom course uses technology to replace a portion of the in-class learning experiences, which may reduce the amount of time actually spent in the traditional classroom setting. Some institutions use blended courses with traditional on-campus students to improve efficiency or lower the density in classroom spaces. For example, replacing 50% of classroom experiences with online experiences would allow an institution to schedule a second course in the same room. Similar to a flipped classroom model, the online activities support the work that occurs in the face-to-face environment.
- Blended Online Course – Most course activity is completed online, but there are some
required face-to-face instructional activities such as lectures, discussions, labs,
or other in-person learning activities.
Blended online courses are the mirror image of blended classroom courses. While the majority of the course occurs in an online format – and may even be listed in the course catalog as an "online" course – there are also a small number of required in-person learning experiences. It is important to consider course goals and the importance of the face-to-face requirement, as it sets geographic limitations on students’ access to the course.
Additional Information for Blended Courses
Models of Course Delivery: Flipped Course
A Flipped Course tends to fall somewhere along the continuum near a Web-Enhanced Course or a Blended Classroom Course. This variation is because the model of the course is not the defining characteristic. Rather, it is the organization of in-class activities and outside-class activities that cause a class to be considered "flipped."
Additional Information for Flipped Courses
Models of Course Delivery: Flexible Mode Course
Often referred to as the HyFlex model, flexible mode courses offer the greatest amount of student choice. First implemented at San Francisco State University, this model offers both classroom and online options for all or most learning activities, giving students the flexibility to choose when and where they attend to the course requirements, often on a weekly basis.
Additional Information for Flexible Mode Course
Models of Course Delivery: Online Course
There are no geographical limitations in online courses. They are designed so that students can complete all aspects of the course away from campus. These courses require well-developed materials that are accessible in the learning management system, as well as clear and consistent communication from the instructor. There are varying degrees of technological expectations associated with online courses, which should be clearly communicated to students before the course begins.
Additional Information for Online Course
Models of Course Delivery: Resources
This video and guide provides suggestions for resources that may be helpful for any method of course delivery.
Additional Information for Online Course Resources