Differences with Course Modality
Traditional/Enhanced Course
Hybrid Course
Online Course

Differences with Course Modality

Course modality refers to the instructional delivery method used by a course. At Richland there are three modalities:

Traditional/Enhanced - In a traditional/enhanced course all of the instruction is provided in a face-to-face classroom setting. However, students are expected to regularly supplement their learning through the use of technology.
Hybrid - A hybrid course is a combination of face-to-face classroom instruction and online instruction. A portion of the instruction is provided online, but some regular face-to-face instruction is still required. Face-to-face time requirements will vary between hybrid courses and sections.
Online - In an online course all of the instruction is provided online and normally no face-to-face classroom instruction is required.

Depending on the type of course you are teaching you might use more or less of the features/tools offered in Canvas. When building your sandbox you create the course with the highest level of Canvas use you will be teaching. The tabs above explain which features are normally used for each Modality.

Traditional/Enhanced Course

Most traditional courses that are in Canvas utilize the Syllabus, Gradebook, Modules, and Attendance. Yet, many also utilize the more advanced features as well, so don't hold back if you want to give them a try! Remember, all students who use Canvas have to complete the Canvas Student Orientation before they can access your course so all of your students know how to use the different features in Canvas!

Below is information about the primary tools/features most traditional courses use in Canvas. Click on the main heading (in blue) for more information on add/use this feature in Canvas.

Syllabus

You can use the Syllabus link on the left to either add a link to your course syllabus file OR you can copy and paste your course syllabus directly onto the Syllabus page.

The advantage of adding your Syllabus to Canvas is that you don't have to worry about students losing it or not being able to find it. In addition, some Instructors do not print out their entire course syllabus and instead print out a 1-2 page highlights of the syllabus and direct the students to Canvas for the full syllabus document.

Gradebook

Whether you have students turn in assignments online in Canvas or to you in person (or a mix), you can still use the Canvas gradebook!

Students love having their grades in Canvas because they always know what they are getting in your class. Instructors love that the Canvas gradebook is easy to use and does all the calculating for them! In addition, Canvas has a "what-if" tool that allows students to enter in scores on class assignments to see how their grade might change. This takes the guess work out of the end of the semester when students are wondering what they need to get on their final exam or paper to get the grade they want in your class!

Modules

Modules is a great place to add content for your students to easily access in and out of class! You can add handouts (any type of file - Word, PowerPoint, PDF, etc), assignment directions/information, links to outside resources (videos, websites, etc), and much much more! You can organize Modules to best suit your needs, including by Week, Unit, Chapter, or type of Content (Ex: PowerPoints, Assignment Directions, Resources).

Attendance

Instructors can quickly and easily take attendance using Canvas. This is useful because you can't lose it and at the end of the semester you can download your attendance as an Excel file to submit to your Division Office; all attendance records must be submitted at the end of the semester.

Hybrid Course

Most hybrid courses are similar to traditional courses in Canvas in that they utilize the Syllabus, Gradebook, Modules. Yet one of the biggest differences between a traditional course in Canvas and a hybrid course is the amount of time students should be spending working on online content outside of class. Hybrid courses are a mix of face-to-face and online which means more of the course content and assignments need to be online to make up for the hours the students aren't spending in the classroom.

Below is information about the primary tools/features hybrid courses should use in Canvas. Click on the main heading (in blue; or other linked key words) for more information on add/use this feature in Canvas.

Syllabus

The course Syllabus needs to be available either as a link to the Syllabus document or copied and pasted directly onto the Syllabus page.

The advantage of adding your Syllabus to Canvas is that you don't have to worry about students losing it or not being able to find it. In addition, some Instructors do not print out their entire course syllabus and instead print out a 1-2 page highlights of the syllabus and direct the students to Canvas for the full syllabus document.

Gradebook

Whether students are turning in assignments online in Canvas or to you in person (or a mix), hybrid class need to use the Canvas gradebook and all assignments need to be available in the gradebook.

Assignments

Depending on how your course is set up you may need to include more online assignments (written assignments, discussions, quizzes/exams) than a traditional course. This is to make up for the time that is not spent in class.

Course Content

In general you should include course content (readings, lecture notes, video, links to outside resources, etc) in Canvas. This is to make up for the time that is not spent in class.

Modules

Modules is where you should have a general outline of your course. You can organize Modules to best suit your needs, including by Week, Unit, or Chapter; organizing by type of content is not recommended for hybrid courses. Students should be able to access all course resources, information, and assignment information from the course Modules.

Attendance

Instructors should take attendance using Canvas. This is useful because you can't lose it and at the end of the semester you can download your attendance as an Excel file to submit to your Division Office; all attendance records must be submitted at the end of the semester.

Online Course

Online courses are taught completely online in Canvas with normally no on campus requirements. Occasionally students will be required to come in to give speeches or to take exams; this is at the Instructors discretion and not the norm. In addition, some online courses make use of third party supplemental materials (ex: MyMathLab). Since the entire course and assignments are done online in Canvas, online courses require the most advanced use of Canvas.

Below is information about the primary tools/features online courses should use in Canvas. Click on the main heading (in blue; or other linked key words) for more information on add/use this feature in Canvas.

Syllabus

The course Syllabus needs to be available either as a link to the Syllabus document or copied and pasted directly onto the Syllabus page.

Gradebook

Online courses need to use the Canvas gradebook and all assignments need to be available in the gradebook.

Assignments

All course assignments and assignments directions need to be available online. There should be a mix of assignment types, including written assignments, discussions, and quizzes/exams. In addition, there should be at least one type of assignment each week.

Course Content

Online courses should include different types of course content that is available for each topic covered in the course. This content can vary from textbook readings, online video, online websites/other resources, PowerPoint lectures, and narrated PowerPoint lectures just to name a few.

Modules

Modules is where you should have a general outline of your course. You can organize Modules to best suit your needs, including by Week, Unit, or Chapter; organizing by type of content is not recommended for online courses. Students should be able to access all course resources, information, and assignment information from the course Modules.

Attendance

There is no formal attendance taken in an online course, but per federal regulations online attendance is determined by the last time a student submitted any type of assignment online. This is why it's important that you have at least one assignment due each week in your online course.

After reviewing the information from each tab above click on the Next button to continue with the training!