DE Modalities

The FA contract currently identifies the following DE course modalities: online, blended/hybrid, and distance learning classroom courses. We are well aware, however, that post-pandemic other distance education and remote modalities have come into play and will need to be addressed contractually.

Below are the six course modalities available to students. Traditional on-campus obviously is not a DE modality, but we include it in the list below because we firmly believe in the centrality of traditional, on-campus courses for the future of the college and the best success for our students. We have long held that DE courses should supplement but not supplant on-campus courses.

Here is a handy chart that shows the distinction among the six course modalities at SCCC: Six Ways to Take Your Classes at SCCC.

Traditional On Campus

Traditional on-campus classes meet 100% of the time in a classroom (or another college-approved site) on specific days and times, like MW 9:30-10:45 or TR 2-3:15. As of September 2023, Brightspace must be used to provide at least your course syllabus and perhaps other materials for students.

Blended

Blended (BLD) classes meet on campus/on site on some days and times (less often than a traditional on-campus class), and students do the rest of their coursework online—either in Brightspace or via video-conference such as Zoom. Faculty are required to be present at all on-site meetings, of course.

Sufflex*

Sufflex classes combine real-time online and in-person instruction simultaneously into one class. In specially designed classrooms, some students meet in person while others participate on Zoom. Students must register for either the in-person or remote (Zoom) section; they cannot switch between the two.

* At some colleges, these are called Hyflex classes, but we use Sufflex (and places like Binghamton University call theirs Bingflex) because Hyflex is a trademarked term and in true Hyflex classes students get to choose whether they wish to attend on campus or not each week. SCCC does not allow that.

Real-time Online

Real-time online classes (RT ONL) meet remotely via videoconference such as Zoom. 100% of the scheduled class meetings take place remotely in real time on Zoom, and the rest of the coursework is done online in a Brightspace class website.

Combined Online

Combined online classes (COMB ONL) meet remotely via video-conference such as Zoom, but 50% of the scheduled class meetings take place remotely in real time on Zoom, while the rest of the coursework is done online in a Brightspace class website.

Fully online

Fully online, or asynchronous, classes (ONL) do not meet on site or at any specific times. Coursework happens in Brightspace on set due dates and times, so students work with their faculty and classmates but there are never set times when faculty or students have to meet your class virtually or on campus.