General Frequently Asked Question
What is the best learning mode for me?
From the traditional classroom to the less structured, self-paced online experience, we know that people learn differently and benefit from choice and flexibility. We've developed a variety of learning modes to support your success.
Real-Time Instruction
- Classroom / In Person — I prefer to be in a classroom in Santa Clara, CA with the instructor and students. (F-1 Compliant)
- Live-Online (Fully Synchronous) — I prefer to be in a live remote classroom with the instructor and classmates.
- Flexible — I would like to have both options, to meet in person and meet remotely. (F-1 Compliant)
Remote Self-Directed
- Online Self-Study — I prefer being fully remote and studying on my own.
- Online Traditional — I prefer learning in a fully remote, structured learning environment with an instructor who sets the pace for the class and sets fixed deadlines.
A Little of Both
- Hybrid Classroom — I prefer to meet in person at set times and also participate in live-online, remote meetings with instructors or other online activities.
- Hybrid Live-Online — I want to learn remotely in a mix of live-online meetings and online self-study materials.
Be sure to see the section notes of each course for additional details.
Methods of Instruction - Definitions
SYNCHRONOUS
Course instruction and class discussions occur in real time during in-person or remote sessions.
Students are expected to participate in a synchronous course during the days and times specified on the course schedule. Sessions are conducted during Pacific Time.
An instructor may choose to record a class for later viewing.
Classroom / In-Person
- Students meet on campus with an instructor in a classroom setting at set times.
- Instruction is primarily or entirely in person.
- Course materials are available online via Canvas or provided in person by the instructor.
- International students: F-1 compliant
Location: SANTA CLARA
UCSC Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Ave., Santa Clara, CA
Live-Online (Fully Synchronous)
- Students meet in real-time online via a remote learning platform such as Zoom, providing an opportunity to interact with instructors and peers in real time.
- Students log into the course via Canvas at the start time of scheduled meetings and participate for the duration of each class.
- Just like a traditional in-person class meeting, you are expected to attend and participate in the discussion.
- Students are also strongly encouraged to have their cameras on to get the most out of the remote learning experience.
- You do not need to be on campus for any portion of the coursework or evaluation.
Location: REMOTE
Online Only
Flexible
- Courses are instructed in real time. Students may choose their preferred method of instruction—an in-person classroom setting or a remote format.
- Students are expected to participate in the course, either in person or remotely, during the days and time that are specified on the course schedule. Course materials will be available online via Canvas.
- International students: F-1 compliant
Location: SANTA CLARA/REMOTE
UCSC Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Ave., Santa Clara, CA and Online
ASYNCHRONOUS
The entire course is instructed fully online using Canvas, an online learning resource. Students engage with learning materials, such as lectures, assignments, discussions, and quizzes posted on Canvas and interact with the instructor and other students using messaging tools.
Asynchronous classes may be self-study with no fixed deadlines or have fixed deadlines and be led by an instructor. Refer to the course section notes or course syllabus for details. In either case, students are held to assignment completion deadlines and are responsible for consulting with the instructor to determine the deadlines.
Asynchronous courses have a 12 a.m. start time and an 11:59 p.m. end time.
Location: Online Only
Online Self-Paced
- Self-paced courses allow students to take courses at their own pace, rather than following a timeline set by instructors.
- While you may be frequently in contact with your instructor, communication does not happen in real time. Students engage online with learning materials, such as lectures, assignments, discussions, and quizzes posted on Canvas and interact with the instructor and other students online using messaging tools.
- When you start a course, all the material is available to you to consume when you are ready. You can finish early or take the entire allotted time to complete the course. Note that all grades will be processed at the end of the course.
- The entire course is instructed online and all course materials and assignments will be available on Canvas, our learning management system. You do not need to be on campus for any portion of the coursework or evaluation.
Location: Online Only
Online Traditional
- Traditional online courses provide a structured learning environment that is led by an instructor, who sets the pace for the class and has fixed deadlines. Although you may not be required to meet online at a set time, the instructor will provide additional reading materials and assignments online.
- These courses are largely self-study with instructor support through threaded discussion groups, email, and sometimes scheduled online chats. Courses might have recorded lectures with synchronized audio and/or presentation materials.
- Students are expected to participate in online learning modules, assignments, and quizzes. All course materials and assignments are available on Canvas, our learning management system. You do not need to be on-campus for any portion of the coursework or evaluation.
- Some instructors may allow students to pace themselves following the published syllabus, enabling them to accelerate through the material and finish early. However, all students are responsible for consulting with the instructor to determine the deadlines and students must complete and submit all assignments by fixed deadlines. Note that all grades will be processed at the end of the course.
Location: Online Only
HYBRID
A hybrid course requires students to attend lectures face-to-face, either in person or via Zoom, and complete assignments online. Hybrid courses use a combination of methods such as live-online and in-person instruction or live-online and online/self-paced instruction.
Students are expected to participate in the course during the specified course scheduled times and meet the fixed deadlines for each course.
Hybrid Classroom
- Students meet in person at set times and also participate in live-online, remote meetings with instructors or other online activities. Your instructor will decide when you need to come to class and when you need to tune-in online.
- Course materials will be available online via Canvas or may be provided in person by the instructor.
- Students are expected to participate in the course, either in person or remotely during the days and time that are specified on the course schedule. Please review the full schedule, review the course syllabus and contact Student Services if you have additional questions. All students must complete and submit all assignments by the fixed deadlines.
Hybrid Live-Online
- These courses are taught using a combination of live-online and online/self-paced methods. Live-online lectures/meetings are held via Zoom and asynchronous materials/instruction will be available on Canvas per the direction of the instructor.
- The instructor decides and communicates to students when to meet via Zoom, along with identifying dates where students need to complete work on their own. Students are expected to complete assigned activities by due dates.
- Please review the full schedule, make sure to review the course syllabus, and contact Student Services if you have additional questions. All students must complete and submit all assignments by the fixed deadlines.