Scope: This article will cover the steps on choosing an instruction mode.
Purpose: This article supplies detailed documentation on the Instruction modes used across the University of Maine System. This includes the code, description, and definitions.
Detailed Information
Instruction Modes
A course instruction mode defines how a class is taught.
This may be in-person in a classroom or lecture hall, or online using video conferencing; it may be taught at a specific time (synchronously) or on demand (asynchronously), or any combination of all of these. To best describe these differences, the University of Maine System uses Instruction Modes.
Instruction modes:
- Allow students to choose classes that fit their learning goals and their schedule.
- Allow faculty and staff to categorize classes into the best suited Instruction Mode.
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Instruction Modes Details
For reporting purposes, it is frequently required to know if an instruction mode fits into the Distance distance education or no distance education. The table below includes a column to show what distance category the instruction mode fits in.
| Official Instruction Mode |
Distance Category |
The course section is designed to be delivered: |
Definition |
| Online (WW) |
Distance Education |
Entirely online. All classes are fully online with no scheduled online meetings. |
A course section where 100% of course activity and class meetings are completed asynchronously (i.e., not in real time) online with no required online meeting times. |
| Distance Synchronous Learning (DS) |
Distance Education |
Entirely online. Classes are fully online with required online meeting times for all or part of the course. |
These classes never meet in person. The course is taught online, and the instructor is expected to deliver instruction synchronously (i.e., in real time) at the times for which the class is scheduled. |
| Hybrid/Blended (HB) |
Distance Education |
Both online & in-person. There is a mix of in-person scheduled class meetings and online components. |
These classes have both in-person and online components. The dates/times of in-person meetings are scheduled. |
| Hyflex (HF) |
Not Distance Education |
Both online & in-person. There is flexibility for students to attend required class meetings in-person, or via live video or audio. |
A single course section with the option to attend on-site, via video or audio technology during class meeting times, or in combination of the two |
| Split Delivery (SD) |
Not Distance Education |
Both online & in-person. Students attendance requirements are split between required online and in-person meeting times. |
These classes will meet during all scheduled class times. However, groups of students in the class will alternate in-person and virtual attendance as designated by the instructor to maintain reduced density in classrooms (e.g., platoon system) |
| By Arrangement (AR) |
Not Distance Education |
In-person, off-site. This is a clinical or field placement, an internship, independent study, or reach hours. |
These courses are meant for clinical placements, field placements, independent study, internships, and research hours. They do not require a classroom or meeting time but are considered to be in-person, with location and time arranged by the instructor or supervisor. |
| Service Learning (SL) |
Not Distance Education |
In-person, off-site. This is a service learning course. |
Instruction time and locations are to be determined by the instructor |
| In-Person (P) |
Not Distance Education |
In-person, in a classroom. All or the majority of required class meetings happen in-person, and in a classroom. |
The course is taught fully face-to-face in a classroom at scheduled meeting times. |
| Receive (RE) |
Distance Education |
All of the majority of required class meetings occur in a classroom, with instruction delivered via technology. |
UMA USE ONLY. The course meets at scheduled times in a classroom. Instruction is delivered to the classroom via technology. |
Applies To
- System-wide
- Anyone reviewing Instruction Modes Documentation