Flexible Delivery and Learning ModesThompson Rivers University
TRU Spectrum Flexible Delivery Learning Modes
A. In-Person Learning
In-person courses are when learning experiences are held at regularly scheduled instructional times where learners and instructors meet in-person at a defined location to achieve the learning outcomes.
There are three variants of in-person learning (TRUFlex 1, TRUFlex 2 and TRUFlex 3) with additional details outlined below.
TRU Flex 1
Where: Off-campus
When: Scheduled times
How: Instructor-Led
Courses take place in-person exclusively off-campus in locations, including offshore in other countries. Courses have regularly scheduled instructional times and students physically attend the course activities in-person.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur in-person, off-campus at scheduled times.
TRU Flex 2
Where: Off-Campus and On-Campus
When: Scheduled times
How: Instructor-Led
Courses take place in-person both off-campus and on-campus. Courses have regularly scheduled instructional times and students physically attend the course activities in-person.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur in-person, off-campus and on-campus at scheduled times.
TRU Flex 3
Where: In-person and on-campus in a classroom
When: Scheduled times
How: Instructor-Led
Courses take place in-person exclusively on-campus. Courses have regularly scheduled instructional times and students physically attend the course activities in-person.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur in-person, on-campus at scheduled times.
B. Blended Learning
Blended courses are a purposeful combination of two delivery and learning modes to achieve learning outcomes: 1) in-person learning, in which the instructor and students are physically co-present at the same scheduled times and 2) online virtual learning where the instructor and students meet at the same scheduled time via a web communication platform. Only one mode takes place at any one time with the intent to reduce the number of scheduled in-person hours.
There are three variants of blended learning (TRUFlex 4, TRUFlex 5 and TRUFlex 6) with additional details outlined below.
TRU Flex 4
Where: Mostly in-person and on-campus with some online
When: Scheduled times
How: Instructor-Led
Courses are scheduled and take place in-person for most (~ 70% or more) of the classes. The remaining percentage takes place at the same regularly scheduled instructional time, but in an online virtual learning mode.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur mostly in-person, on-campus with some online at all scheduled times.
TRU Flex 5
Where: Half online and half in-person and on-campus
When: Scheduled times
How: Instructor-Led
Courses are scheduled and take place in-person for half (~ 50%) of the classes. The other half takes place at the same regularly scheduled instructional time, but in an online virtual learning mode.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur half online and half in-person, on-campus with all classes happening at scheduled times.
TRU Flex 6
Where: Mostly online with some in-person and on-campus
When: Scheduled times
How: Instructor-Led
Courses are scheduled and take place via an online virtual learning mode for most (~ 70% or more) of the classes. The remaining percentage takes place at the same regularly scheduled instructional time, but in-person.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur mostly online with some in-person, on-campus all classes happening at scheduled times.
C. Multi-Access Learning
Multi-access learning means that a course is available in different modes at the same time so that all learning outcomes can be achieved. Students have a choice as to which mode most benefits their learning situation.
There is one variant of multi-access learning: TRUFlex 7 as follows:
TRU Flex 7
Where: Either online or in-person and on-campus at the same time
When: Scheduled online and in-person/on-campus at the same time
How: Instructor-Led
Students participate in the same learning activities at the same time either in person or online virtually.
Students can’t move between the modes.
They register for either an in-person course section or virtual scheduled course section. Both sections happen at the same time.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur either online or in-person, on-campus at all scheduled times.
D. Online Learning
Online learning courses involve learning experiences that are delivered entirely via the web with no on-campus or in-person requirements. The learning activities have been designed so that all learning outcomes can be achieved using online tools and technologies.
There are three variants of online learning (TRUFlex 8, TRUFlex 9 and TRUFlex 10) with additional details outlined below.
TRU Flex 8
Where: Online
When: Scheduled times
How: Instructor-Led
Programs and courses are delivered in a fully online format with the same academic schedule and contact hours as in-person courses. Learning happens in real-time at scheduled times but from different locations. Students and their instructors log into a web conferencing platform are co-present in this online virtual environment and participate in ways like an in-person course.
All learning engagements, activities and demonstrations of learning occur fully and virtually online for all classes at scheduled times.
TRU Flex 9
Where: Online
When: Any time within 30-week period, no set meeting times
How: Independent
Self-paced online courses have flexible start dates and allow up to 30 weeks to complete the course. There are no scheduled classes and students learn independently at their own pace.
All learning engagements are independent at own pace and in own spaces following an organized set of content, instructions, and activities to be completed within a maximum time of 30 weeks.
TRU Flex 10
Where: Online
When: Scheduled start and end dates, no set meeting times
How: Independent
Paced online courses follow a regular semester schedule, with specific start and end dates. There are no scheduled classes and students learn independently at their own pace even though they are also part of a cohort with other online students.
All learning engagements are independent at own pace in own spaces following an organized set of content, instructions, and activities to be completed within set term start and end dates.
