Instructional Modes
Course Certification Checklist
Instructional Modes are addressed by Standard 3 on the Course Certification Checklist, which states, “The instructor explains the purpose and structure of the course and identifies pre/co-requisites required for admission.”
UMKC has a variety of course instructional modes to meet the needs of students and faculty. The University Registrar has established definitions for the different types of instruction. Faculty should indicate a course’s instructional mode in the course syllabus.

Online Asynchronous (OA)

Teaching and learning activities occur online through the use of a variety of eLearning technologies and resources. The course has no required real-time (synchronous) interactions between instructor and students. The course is characterized by regular and substantive asynchronous online interactions between course instructor and course participants. There are defined deadlines for completion of assignments and other course-related activities.

Online Synchronous (OS)

Teaching and learning activities occur through the use of a variety of eLearning technologies and resources. The course has required real-time (synchronous) interactions between instructor and students, usually through the use of online conferencing tools. The course is characterized by regular and substantive online interactions between course instructor and course participants, which occur both synchronously and asynchronously. There are defined deadlines for completion of assignments and other course-related activities.

Online Campus (OC)

Participants of an OC course meet between one and four times on-campus. The remainder of the course occurs online through activities and interactions using a variety of eLearning technologies and resources. These activities can occur in real-time (synchronously) or asynchronously. There are defined deadlines for completion of assignments and other course-related activities.

Blended (B)

Participants of a blended course meet five or more times on-campus. The remainder of the course occurs online through activities and interactions using a variety of eLearning technologies and resources. These activities can occur in real-time (synchronously) or asynchronously. There are defined deadlines for completion of assignments and other course-related activities.

Video (VI)

The class meets via interactive video confernce on a regular schedule for the required 750 minutes per credit hour time period. The class generally meets at an off-site location or students may have the option of attending the class by logging in through a learning management system (LMS).

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Workshops and Training

The Instructional Design and Technology team offers free online and face-to-face trainings focused on technology implementation and quality course design. Check out our frequently updated training calendar to view all current offerings. Want to request a departmental or one-on-one course consultation? Please schedule an appointment now!

Instructional Technology Support

UMKC uses a variety of e-learning tools including the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), Panopto for lecture capture, Zoom for synchronous course sessions and meetings, and many more. Learn more about the unique features of these tools and discover how to implement them in your own course.

Course Certification Checklist

Instructors may request for the Quality Matters certified UMKC Instructional Designers to conduct a review of their online course using the Course Certification Checklist. Courses meeting each element of the Certification Checklist will be certified for online instruction at UMKC.

Office of the Provost

Administrative Center, Room 300G
5115 Oak St.
Kansas  City, MO 64110