This document outlines changes to MnSCU media codes enacted in April 2010, including the addition of new codes for completely online asynchronous (Code 12) and completely online synchronous (Code 13) courses. It provides definitions and requirements for each media code, addressing questions around synchronous components, proctored exams, and face-to-face meetings. Key concerns raised include ensuring students understand the differences between synchronous and asynchronous courses, and limiting the number of required proctored exams per course.

1. MnSCU Media Codes Changes enacted April, 2010

2. Presenters Kim Lynch, Anoka-Ramsey CC Brenda Lyseng, Century College Barry Dahl, Lake Superior College

3. Highlighted Changes Add media code 12 for completely online courses, completely asynchronous courses (no time and location requirements). Add media code 13 for completely online with synchronous components (time requirements, but no location requirements). Code 12 Code 13

4. Media Codes for FY12 00 – Classroom (now includes former 10) 03 – Predominantly Online (former Internet) 09 – Blended/Hybrid (former Web-enhanced) 11 – Guided (new) 12 – Online Asynchronous (new) 13 – Online Synchronous (new)

5. Required F2F Meetings? No Proctored Exams? Yes No Synchronous Components? 3 or more? Yes Code 12 No Yes No Code 03 Yes Code 13 Reduced F2F Time? Completely Online (Asynch) Predominantly Online No Yes Completely Online (w/Synch) Code 09 Code 00 Blended/Hybrid Classroom

6. 12 – Completely Online All instruction for the course is delivered online. The course has NO required face-to-face meetings. The course has NO required proctored exams. The course has NO required “synchronous” meetings: no online meetings of the whole class at a predetermined or scheduled time. Code 12 No No No Required F2F Meetings? Proctored Exams? Synchronous Components?

7. 13 – Online w/Synch All instruction for the course is delivered online. The course has NO required face-to-face meetings. The course has NO required proctored exams. The course has required synchronous online meetings or activities: the full class meets online at a specified or scheduled time. Code 13 No No Yes Required F2F Meetings? Proctored Exams? Synchronous Components?

8. RE: Synchronous It is NOT considered to be a synchronous requirement (as per the MnSCU guidelines) if a student needs to have arranged meetings with small groups of classmates or arranged online meetings with the instructor.

9. 03 – Predominantly Online Nearly all instruction is delivered online. No more than two required activities or meetings of the class as a cohort may occur face to face in the same physical location. The course may have required proctored exams, in addition to the one or two face to face meetings. Proctored Exams? Yes No Code 03 Synchronous Components? Required F2F Meetings? Either Yes Or No 3 or more F2F? Yes No

10. 03 – Predominantly Online A proctored exam is considered one of the F2F meetings if the proctored exam is given to the entire class at a specified time and location. If the student has a choice in when and where to get the exam proctored, the proctored exam is not considered to be one of the face to face meetings. The course may have required synchronous, in addition to the proctored exams and the one or two face to face meetings. Proctored Exams? Yes No Code 03 Synchronous Components? Required F2F Meetings? Either Yes Or No 3 or more F2F? Yes No

11. 09 – Blended/Hybrid Online with some face-to-face meetings. Reduced F2F time with some instruction delivered online The course blends online and face-to-face delivery. Some of the course content is delivered online. The course has more than two face to face class sessions during the term. Same as the current media code 09 (Web- enhanced). 3 or more? Reduced F2F Time? Code 09 Yes Yes Yes Required F2F Meetings?

12. 00 – Classroom Traditional F2F classroom. No reduced seat-time. Combines previous codes 00 & 10, (classroom and web-supplemented) – now 00 only. This is the default media code. 3 or more? Reduced F2F Time? Code 00 Yes Yes No Required F2F Meetings?

13. Questions Data gathering techniques for media codes? How do we best get information from faculty about their courses? How far in advance do we need to have this information?

14. Questions Can we change a media code after it’s established? What about changes in course instructor after enrollment has started? Answer: Apparently, after enrollment has started, we are not allowed to change the media code of the course.(What if we notify all enrolled students?)

15. Questions What is considered synchronous? If a recording can be watched later is that still synchronous? Does the synchronous component have to be graded? What if it is a very small % of the grade? What if all students are required to be online, but there is a choice of 2 or more times?

16. Questions What about Independent Study – code 06, and Guided, code 11? Are these for online courses that are self-directed? Does MnOnline have an expectation of interaction between student-faculty and student-student? If there is no required interaction in an online course, how should they be coded?

17. Questions How will the course search engines deal with these new codes? Will each of the three online course codes (03, 12, 13) have a separate search choice on the drop-down menu? Will the terminology used be the same in search and course listings?

18. Questions How will things like “synchronous” and “completely asynchronous” be described/ explained to students? (so they can understand it?)

19. Our BIG Question Why is there no limit on the number of proctored exams that can be required? The shared test proctoring arrangement within MnOnline is untenable if schools are allowed to continue requiring a large # of proctored assessments per course. Undocumented record = 23 proctorings!!

20. Your Questions? Kim Lynch, Anoka-Ramsey CC Brenda Lyseng, Century College Barry Dahl, Lake Superior College