Divided course model
This course model is designed to minimize student-instructor ratio and acquaint students with course content before class. This model is designed as a blended course that meets half the students every other week to increase the contact with the instructor and uses a flipped approach to teaching, where students read and watch videos before coming to class to get acquainted with the material.
Once in class, the instructor reviews key ideas and leads students through discussion with prepared questions to uncover and clarify misconceptions. This should be followed up with active learning techniques that promote deeper understanding and consolidation of the content (problem-solving, engage in group discussion and participate in other active learning techniques that promote deeper understanding and consolidation of the content.
In this model, the class is divided into 2 groups, wherein each group attends the face-to-face class on alternating weeks to decrease the number of students in the face-to-face class.
Alternatives
Divide the face-to-face time in half and meet both groups each week for only half the scheduled class time.
Meet the entire class, face-to-face, every two weeks.
*This example accounts for approximately 102 hours. This leaves approximately 33 hours for other coursework to be assigned as required by the instructor
| Week | In-class | Out-of-class |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole class meeting Introduction to course (3 hours) |
Group A: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for in-class next week (3-6 hours) |
| 2 | Module 1 Group A Meeting Discussions, mini-lectures, application activities, problems, etc. (3 hours) |
Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 1 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 1 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 3 | Module 1 Group B Meeting Discussions, mini-lectures, application activities, problems, etc. (3 hours) |
Group A: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 2 in-class lesson. Group B: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 1 lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 4 | Group A: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 2 in-class lesson. Group B: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 1 lesson. (3-6 hours) |
Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 2 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 2 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 5 | Module 2 Group B Meeting Discussions, mini-lectures, application activities, problems, etc. (3 hours) |
Working on midterm assignments/exam/projects, etc. (3-6 hours) Group B: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 2 lesson. |
| 6 | Whole class meeting Mid-course check-in, review, consolidation, midterm, etc. (3 hours) |
Working on midterm assignments/exam/projects, etc. (3-6 hours) Group A: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for Module 3 in-class lesson (3-6 hours) |
| 7 | Module 3 Group A Meeting Discussions, mini-lectures, application activities, problems, etc. (3 hours) |
Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 3 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 3 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 8 | Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 3 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 3 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
Group A: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for Module 4 in-class lesson Group B: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 3 lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 9 | Module 4 Group A Meeting Discussions, mini-lectures, application activities, problems, etc. (3 hours) |
Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 4 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 4 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 10 | Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 4 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 4 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 4 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 4 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 11 | Module 5 Group A Meeting Discussions, mini-lectures, application activities, problems, etc. (3 hours) |
Group A: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 5 lesson. Group B: readings/lecture videos and other activities to prepare for module 5 in-class lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 12 | Module 5 Group B Meeting Discussions, mini-lectures, application activities, problems, etc. (3 hours) |
Working on assignments/exam/projects, etc. Group B: Working on assignments and/or other activities as follow-up to module 5 lesson. (3-6 hours) |
| 13 | Whole class meeting Course Wrap up (3 hours) |
Working on assignments/exam/projects, etc. (3-6 hours) |