For the program delivery statement, “The cohort will include face-to-face instruction in courses taught in a centrally-located Vancouver site, and flexible, blended formats that mix onsite and online learning,” I think it means that the course is taught partly in person, but the word “blended” tells me that there will also be some online parts. For example, it could mean online classes with in-person exams, or some weeks online and some weeks in person. However, I still think the wording is not clear because it does not explicitly say what aspects of the class are online or in-person.
A common example of inflexible learning design is summer courses. During the summer, many students are working, travelling, or living in a different city, so it can be harder for them to attend in-person classes compared to a regular semester. If the course is offered online, it becomes accessible to more students, as they can attend class from anywhere. For example, a student working full-time could watch lectures or complete assignments after work, and a student who is in another city would not have to relocate or miss the course completely. In this case, the obstacle is not the student’s ability to learn, but the location and timing of the course.
Personally, I think a hybrid would be my first choice. I still like attending class in person, but hybrid gives me the flexibility to stay home if I am sick or not feeling well. Recorded lectures are a great resource because if a student misses class, they can still watch the lecture at a different time. Moreover, recorded lectures are also useful for studying because a student doesn’t have to depend only on their notes, they can go back and rewatch parts of the lecture that they may haven’t fully understood. On the other hand, some students might feel less motivated to attend in person or show up on time if they know the recording is available.
For learner preferences, my guess would be:
- Face-to-face: 45%
- Hybrid: 25%
- Multi-access: 15%
- Online: 14%
- Offline: 1%
For different learner groups, I think their first choices might look like this:
- Disability/chronic health: Hybrid or multi-access, because some students may need in-person support while others may need the option to stay home.
- Caregiving: Online, because caregivers often need flexibility around family responsibilities.
- First-generation students: Face-to-face, because in-person support and campus community may help them navigate university.
- Working students: Online or hybrid, because they need flexibility around work schedules.
- First-year students: Face-to-face, because they may benefit from structure and social connection.
- Pre-college/adult grad: Hybrid, because they may need flexibility but still benefit from guidance.
- Rural students: Online, because location and travel can be major barriers.
- Indigenous students: Online or multi-access, because some learners may want to stay connected to their community while studying.
- English as an Additional Language: Face-to-face, because live support and interaction can help with communication and understanding.
- International students: Face-to-face, because many international students may want the full campus experience and may also have visa or program requirements.
- 2SLGBTQIA+ students: Multi-access, because it gives flexibility.
For computer science, I think hybrid or multi-access is definitely the best option. A lot of computer science content can be taught online, like coding, using GitHub, watching tutorials, reading documentation, and submitting assignments. However, in-person labs and office hours are still useful, especially when debugging or trying to understand difficult concepts. So, a flexible model gives students the best of both.
I also found this video below useful because it shows how online learning can work very well in computer science. Features like programming assignments, instant feedback, peer review, and flexible access can support many different types of learners.
Overall, I think the future of education will move more toward hybrid and online learning. Fully in-person classes will still be useful, but students have different schedules, responsibilities, and learning needs. A flexible course design makes education more accessible instead of assuming that one format works for everyone.