Course Delivery Guidance
Context for 2021-22
Currently, the majority of Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 courses are delivered remotely. There are some courses with an in-person element because they are essential to support learning outcomes.
We expect improved public health conditions in 2021-2022 due to vaccine rollout in the coming months, and institutional messaging (PDAD&C memo and President’s letter) has therefore emphasized the return to in-person instruction. Nevertheless, we expect continued need for some level of remote delivery in response to public health constraints (and its downstream impacts on visa processing). As a result, for the 2021-22 academic year, the ROSI course delivery mode codes will continue to be In Person, Synchronous, and Asynchronous (see the School of Graduate Studies’ definitions for COVID-era codes). Delivering courses remotely using these codes will continue to not require governance.
Recommendations for Divisions for 2021-22
Divisions will develop plans for course and program delivery for 2021-2022 and assign the appropriate COVID-era ROSI delivery mode codes. The adoption of in-person vs remote delivery modes may look different in each division, reflecting each division’s unique array of programs.
Guidance (e.g., public health considerations, institutional planning framework/ scenarios) for divisional plans will be provided through institutional groups (Academic Continuity, Advisory Committee on Academic Scheduling, Response and Adaptation Committee, etc.) that are supporting the University’s response to COVID-19.
Changing Mode of Delivery for 2022-23 and Later
Based on experiences delivering courses and programs remotely during the present pandemic, faculty may be considering permanently changing the delivery mode of courses and programs for 2022-2023 or later. In some cases, permanent changes require governance (see table below).
For changes that require governance approval, the proposal is where the strategic and pedagogical considerations; guiding principles; impact on the student experience; and commitment to resources will be addressed.
Here is the governance process for courses:
Offering | Governance Required to Create or Change |
---|---|
In-person course | Create: Through a minor modification. Change: Converting an existing in-person course from hybrid or online to in person is done through a minor modification. |
Hybrid course | Create: Through a minor modification. Change: Governance is not normally required to change an existing regular course to hybrid delivery (although divisions have the discretion to require governance). |
Online course | Create: Through a minor modification. Change: If an existing in-person course is converted to an online course, or a section of an existing in-person course is to be delivered online, this change is done through a minor modification. |
Here is the governance process for programs:
Offering | Governance Required to Create or Change |
---|---|
In-person program | Create: Through a new program process. Change: Converting an existing hybrid or online program to in person is done through a major modification. |
Hybrid program | Create: Through a new program process. Change: If an existing program is being converted or extended to a hybrid offering, approval is done through a major modification. |
Online program* | Create: Through a new program process. Change: If the proposal is to convert or extend an existing program to an online offering, approval is done through a major modification. |
* For graduate programs, only Professional Master’s or Diploma programs can be offered entirely online.
More Questions?
- See the School of Graduate Studies’ online learning guidelines for graduate students and the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation’s Online Learning Instructor Toolkit
- Online initiatives and capacity development: Laurie Harrison, Director of Online Learning Strategies, Office of the Chief Information Officer
- New program and major modification proposals: Jennifer Francisco, Coordinator Academic Change, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs
- Minor modifications: Alexandra Varela, Assistant Coordinator, Academic Change, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs