Uninterrupted learning
Your learning involves so much more than just the mechanics of taking classes and Concordia University remains committed to supplying you with an uncommon education.
As we prepare for the next academic year, faculty are already at work developing and updating their courses. As always, our faculty apply sound educational practice and use evidence-based teaching methods so that you receive a creative, rigorous, dynamic Christian higher education, no matter the delivery modality.
Classroom safety: how CUW’s keeping you safe in the classroom
What will the first class period look like?
All classes typically held in the classroom, face-to-face, will first meet via Zoom. A student will log into Blackboard for each of his/her courses to locate the proper Zoom link for the first class session. At that first class session, the instructor will review the course plan and syllabus, and will explain how the course will run. For all other deliveries, the first course session will be held as normal.
How classes will be taught
In the 2020-2021 academic year, all undergraduate and graduate on-campus and center classes, labs, and studios will take place in-person whenever possible, supported by Blackboard and videoconference technology. Some courses will continue to meet face-to-face in a regular classroom setting. Other classes will blend in-person instruction with the professor with carefully-structured videoconference sessions.
Many of you have said you enjoyed the chance to interact with professors virtually, without the need to drive to campus. And some courses will “flip,” with the professor delivering some material in a classroom and some material (e.g. a lecture or writing assignment) on Blackboard, using in-class time for more in-depth application of course material.
- Mequon campusFor those courses that are traditionally held in a face-to-face format, a combination of face-to-face and virtual delivery will be utilized. All faculty and students will be required to wear masks/face shields and observe social distancing while in public spaces, including classrooms. Specific directions regarding the combination of face-to-face and virtual delivery methods will be shared by each professor on the first day of class, and will be indicated on your course syllabus.
- Center campusesAll undergraduate center courses will be taught virtually.
- Graduate programs at centersDelivery methods may vary by program; contact program directors.
- Emerging scholarsConcordia is currently seeking an exemption on the City of Milwaukee provision for all online teaching. We will inform you about this when we know more.
- OnlineThere will be no changes to the delivery format for online courses. These courses will continue to be offered online.
Laboratory learning experiences
Concordia seeks to have as many face-to-face learning opportunities as possible. These experiences may vary by course and need, but for those that remain face-to-face, all faculty and students will be required to wear masks/face shields and observe social distancing.
External partners (hospitals, clinics, K12 schools, etc.)
Our external partners (hospitals, clinics, K12 schools, etc.) are developing their own plans and policies. These partners control when and how clinical placements will be reintroduced, so students will need to be flexible regarding their clinical placements. Concordia’s faculty are working with those off-campus sites to determine the best ways for students to return to these settings whenever possible. Some clinical learning experiences will be moved onto campus, wherever that is possible.
Frequently asked questions
All course handouts and supplemental materials will be posted on Blackboard, not distributed in class. Students who prefer printed materials are welcome to use on-campus printers as usual.
CU offers courses in a variety of modalities, including face-to-face, virtual, and online. Given the restrictions of COVID-19, the formatting of face-to-face courses will be slightly adjusted and will include virtual elements of instruction. Below are definitions that will be helpful in guiding students in understand various modalities and delivery methods:
Where courses are held:
Virtual: Virtual instruction takes place through videoconferencing (e.g., Zoom or Blackboard Connect) where instructor and students are not in the same physical space.
Face-to-face: Face-to-face instruction takes place where instructor and students are in the same physical space.
Online: Online instruction takes place where instructor and students are not in the same physical space.
Polysynchronous: Polysynchronous learning takes place where the instructor and some students are in the same physical space and other students participate by videoconference. Some Concordia courses will try this type of delivery in fall 2020.
When courses are held:
Synchronous: Synchronous learning is the kind of learning that happens in real time. This means that an entire class and the instructor are in a specific physical or virtual place, through a specific online medium, at a specific time. Classes are scheduled at specific times on specific days, and everyone interacts together to learn.
Asynchronous: Asynchronous learning means that instructor and students do not have to meet at the same time for learning to occur. Asynchronous learning most often occurs through Blackboard without real-time interaction. Students can access course materials and turn in assignments any time of day. Most online courses use primarily asynchronous learning, but all courses make some use of this (e.g., whenever you study outside of your class time you are using asynchronous learning.)
General university practices for disease prevention can be found here.