Course Instruction Modes
At the Middlebury Institute, we deliver courses in different modes to meet the needs of in-person and online students. Here’s a guide to the four instruction modes you will see on the course schedule, including definitions and who may register for each mode.
Video Guide
Watch this video for a short overview of what you can expect in the different types of classes.
Course Modalities at the Middlebury Institute
[Background music playing throughout video. Text on screen only with no voiceover throughout video.]: Course Modalities at MIIS. Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
What is a course modality? A course modality is the way in which a course is delivered and determines how you will engage with the instructor, your peers, and the course learning content. For example, will the class meet synchronously? Will you work on activities asynchronously?
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous? Synchronous: everyone meets at the same scheduled time in a shared space, whether that space is online, in person, or a mix of the two. Asynchronous: completed on your own time schedule and in your own chosen space (but you must still turn in assignments based on your instructor’s set deadline for each activity). Scheduled live meetups are required for synchronous classes, but optional for asynchronous classes.
In what ways are synchronous and asynchronous classes alike? With both synchronous & asynchronous classes, you will: interact with your instructor and your classmates; build community with and receive feedback from your instructor and classmates; have opportunities to connect “live” with your instructor and classmates; complete activities within deadlines set by your instructor.
What are my options for course modalities at MIIS?
There are five different modalities: 1. In person. 2. Blended synchronous. 3. Scheduled online. 4. Asynchronous online. 5. Hyflex.
In person. All class meetings are in person on campus. Some information or assignments may be shared digitally. Class meetings are scheduled based on the academic course schedule and are reserved in your calendar.
Blended synchronous. A blended class that occurs at a scheduled time, in which off-campus students participate via Zoom, while on-campus students are present in the classroom itself. Some coursework & interactions may be offered online-only. Class meetings are scheduled based on the academic course schedule and are reserved in your calendar.
Scheduled online. A fully online course with required live class sessions, typically via Zoom. Some coursework and assignments may be offered asynchronously. Class meetings are scheduled based on the academic course schedule and are reserved in your calendar.
Asynchronous online. A fully online course that has no required live meetups, though optional live sessions may be offered. You can complete coursework on your own schedule and in your own chosen space but you are expected to progress through a course according to the instructor’s set schedule and deadlines.
Hyflex. You can choose your preferred mode of engagement week-to-week and class-to-class: in-person on campus, online via live class sessions, or asynchronous. Courses are designed to support equitable interaction with course content, peers, and the instructor, regardless of the mode of engagement.
Is every modality available for every course? No, different courses are offered in different modalities. It’s possible, however, that an individual course may have multiple sections, and one of those sections may be in a different modality than the others.
Which modality is best for me? This is a good conversation to have with your academic advisor. International students should also check with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) about any special visa requirements.
Questions? Learn more about MIIS. Contact miis@middlebury.edu or visit middlebury.edu/institute.
Definitions
| Instruction Mode | Definition | Who May Register | Days/Times? (Banner) | Room (Banner) |
| In Person | A course that is completely in-person. 100% of the instructional content is delivered in a physical location. A course may use a learning management system, electronic reading assignments, or online discussions to supplement learning. | On-campus students only | Yes | Assigned campus room |
| Blended Synchronous (Blended) |
A course where on-campus and off-campus students are combined in one learning environment at a scheduled class time. Off-campus students participate in face-to-face classes by means of rich-media synchronous technologies such as Zoom. Some coursework and interactions may be offered online only so that students are interacting both in live and asynchronous ways. | On-campus and off-campus students | Yes | Assigned campus room |
|
Hyflex |
A course in which students can choose their preferred mode of engagement week-to-week and class-to-class: in-person on campus, online via live class sessions, or asynchronous. Courses are designed to support equitable interaction with course content, peers, and the instructor, regardless of the mode of engagement chosen by the student. | On-campus and off-campus students | Yes | Assigned campus room |
| Scheduled Online | A fully online course that has required scheduled live class sessions, typically via Zoom | On-campus and off-campus students | Yes | Online |
| Asynchronous Online | A fully online course that has no required scheduled live class sessions, though optional live sessions may be offered. Students can complete coursework asynchronously (no required live sessions) but are expected to progress through the course according to an instructor-determined schedule. | On-campus and off-campus students | No | Online |
Notes
A few notes on course instruction modes:
- “Blended synchronous” or “Blended” is what we formerly called “hybrid”.
- Off-campus students are designated with the RMT location code in Banner.
- Scheduled online courses have required live class sessions at set days and times.
- Asynchronous online courses have no required live sessions. There may be optional live sessions throughout the course.
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. to begin their F-1 or J-1 status must enroll in a minimum of 9 credits of in-person courses toward their minimum 12-credit, full-time course load to maintain their status under standard regulatory guidance from the U.S. government. Blended synchronous and hyflex courses, if attended in person, will count toward this 9-credit in-person requirement. International students may enroll in scheduled online and asynchronous online courses beyond the minimum 9 credits that require in-person attendance (up to or beyond the 12-credit full-time enrollment).