Understanding Your Course Instruction Modes

Finding Instruction Modes in the Class Search

Courses at Cal Poly Pomona are offered in a variety of formats called instruction modes. It's important that you understand the instruction mode for your courses so you know what to expect.

Find the Instruction Modes column for the section you're interested in:

Screenshot of Class Search results with red box highlighting Instruction Mode column

Finding Instruction Modes in Your Enrolled Course Schedule

Click on your Student Center’s weekly schedule. Toggle to the List View, and then click on the hyperlinked section number.

Face-to-Face

A class that meets face-to-face on campus and/or off-campus. You are required to meet during the specified day(s) and time(s). Your syllabus, grades, and class materials may be posted online.

Fully Synchronous

A class that is instructed fully online at specified day(s) and time(s). You are not required to be on campus.

Fully Asynchronous

A fully online class that allows you to view instructional materials at any time. There won’t be specific days and times for you to log in, so you should build time for the class into your schedule.

Bisynchronous

A class that is instructed fully online with both specified meeting day(s)/ time(s) and TBA meetings. You are required to meet online during the specified days(s) and time(s), with the rest of the class instruction delivered asynchronously.

Hybrid Synchronous

You are required to meet during the specified day(s) and time(s). Some meetings will be on campus and some will be online.

Hybrid Asynchronous

You are required to meet on campus during the specified day(s) and time(s), with the rest of the class instruction delivered asynchronously.

HyFlex

For each meeting you will have the option to attend face-to-face, synchronously, or asynchronously. Your instructor may require a few in-person course meetings throughout the term.

Comparison Chart

Mode	How and When
Face-to-Face	In-person at set times
Fully Asynchronous	Online at any time
Fully Synchronous	Online at set times
Bisynchronous	Online combination of any time and set times
Hybrid-Asynchronous	Combination of in-person and asynchronous
Hybrid-Synchronous	Combination of in-person and synchronous
HyFlex	Choice of in-person, synchronous and asynchronous