Course Delivery Formats

In-Class:

In-class courses are instructor led.  Classes typically take place one time per week for three hours and run for 10-14 weeks, depending on the unit value.  Class size ranges from 12 to 50 students. Teaching methods may include lecture, case studies, individual and group projects, group discussions, etc.  It is important that students be able to attend all (or most) classes as the classroom work represents a significant part of the learning experience.  Students should expect to allocate at least three hours per week for reading, study and assignments, in addition to class time.  Courses are held at McMaster’s Downtown Centre, Hamilton, unless otherwise indicated.

 
Individual Distance:

In individual distance courses students work through and learn course material on their own.  Some individual study distance courses are delivered through a learning management system (online) and others are delivered simply through e-mail.  Students have access to a tutor to support their learning as required.  The tutor marks all assignments and provides feedback to the learner.  These courses typically begin each month and students have four to six months to complete, depending on the course.  Deadlines are provided for completion of the course and for each assignment; however students may complete the courses at a faster pace, if they wish.  As with in-class courses, students are expected to purchase a textbook and/or courseware package.  Additional learning resources such as videos may also be provided.  Assessments may include projects, essays, and written exams (onsite or take home).  A course learning guide is provided approximately five days prior to the start date of the course.  Students should expect to spend more time per week on an individual distance course than an in-class course. The registration deadline for business courses is the 5th of the month. For addiction education courses, the registration deadline is the 22nd of the month.

Online:

Online courses are instructor led and follow a similar structure and timeframe to the 13 or 14 week in-class format.  Online courses are delivered through a learning management system, Avenue to Learn.  Teaching methods typically include weekly readings, discussion boards, videos, narrated PowerPoint slides, group and individual projects, assignments, and exams.  The coursework is asynchronous so students may do their work at times that are convenient for them.  Some courses will also have an additional one hour per week (scheduled) synchronous discussion, where students are expected to be online.  Assignments, discussion boards and exams have set deadline dates.  Students should expect to allocate approximately six to eight hours per week to complete their work.  For specific questions regarding online course format, please contact the Information Specialist.

Weekend Block

Block courses are an intensive delivery format and are typically offered over two to four full weekends (Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 – 5:00).  Participating in a block course requires a significant amount of planning in order to have time available before and after each session to prepare and complete coursework.  It is critical that students be able to attend all sessions as the classroom work is a required part of the learning experience.  This format is used for just a few programs (Addictions Education and Police Studies) to accommodate the needs of people coming from some distance and/or working non-traditional hours. Courses in the Addiction program typically have a pre-course assignment due on the first day.

Considerations for Taking an In-Class Course

• Your schedule allows you to attend class at the same time each week
• You prefer classroom discussions
• You prefer interacting with your peers and feeling part of a classroom environment
• You prefer weekly feedback from an instructor
• You occasionally need reminders and reinforcements to get your studying done
• You prefer the instructor explain the readings and the assignments

Considerations for Taking an Individual Distance Course:

• You are able to work independently
• You can keep yourself on task to complete a project
• You are able to learn without peer discussions or weekly feedback from an instructor
• You are able to commit to five to ten hours per week per course for course readings, exercises, case studies, assignments, etc
• You are able to read the textbook (and the assignments) on your own and work through the concepts
• You are comfortable asking for clarification when needed and expressing yourself in written form through email
• You are comfortable using technology (many CCE courses use the internet to post course materials and communicate with the course tutor)

Considerations for Taking an Online Course

• You are good at keeping yourself on task to complete a project
• You are able to read the textbook (and the assignments) on your own and understand the concepts
• You are able to work independently
• You are able to commit to five to ten hours per week per course for course readings, exercises, case studies, assignments, etc (in-class courses require approx one to four hours per week for these items)
• You are comfortable using technology
• Your schedule allows you to participate in a weekly/monthly online discussion - at the same time each week/month

Considerations for Taking a Weekend Block Course

• Your schedule allows you to attend class in blocks of time, on the weekend
• You prefer classroom discussions
• You prefer interacting with your peers and feeling part of a classroom environment
• You prefer weekly feedback from an instructor
• You occasionally need reminders and reinforcements to get your studying done
• You prefer the instructor explain the readings and the assignments