Course types: different degrees of digital elements
KTH's course offerings consists of courses that are digitized to varying degrees. From campus courses with only physical meetings, to blended courses and complete distance courses. Course types at KTH are listed here with accompanying descriptions.
These types of courses are a further development of Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2010). Class Differences: Online Education in the United States. Sloan Consortium.
Campus (0% online)
All course activities are carried out in physical meetings.
Courses of this format can use digital tools (such as the learning platform Canvas) to share documents or other information, but no learning or assessment activities are done using digital tools.
Campus with web support (1-25% online)
The vast majority of the course activities are carried out as physical meetings, but digital activities are also in use.
The course design includes completing what is basically a campus course with digital elements where some activities are done online.
Courses of this format typically use the learning platform Canvas to share documents and administer examination but can also make use of asynchronous learning activities (e.g. discussion forums) or synchronous learning activities (e.g. web meetings).
Blended (25-75% online)
The course activities are carried out with both digital and physical meetings.
The course design has its starting point in that teachers for each activity make an active choice as to whether it should be carried out digitally or physically. The choice is based on which method that is best suited for the course content and learning objectives.
Courses of this format typically have a balance between physical and digital activities and have reduced the number of physical meetings. The learning platform Canvas and surrounding tools are used for information, communication, and administration. The physical meetings are often used for discussions rather than for lectures.
Distance with campus meetings (75-99% online)
A majority of the course activities are carried out online, but physical meetings are also in use.
The course design includes completing what is basically a distance course with some activities that are done using physical meetings.
Courses of this format typically use the learning platform Canvas, web meetings and surrounding tools to realize the digital activities. The courses have some occasional physical meetings that are used to build relationships between teachers and students. Other activities that are more difficult to carry out digitally also occur, such as labs, demonstrations, and exams.
The course design makes it possible that as a participant you do not have to reside in the Stockholm area, but you can travel to KTH for the physical meetings. These courses often have more asynchronous activities to reach a wider target group of participants (e.g. participants who work professionally).
Distance (100% online)
All course activities are conducted online. The course has no physical meetings.
Courses of this format typically use the learning platform Canvas, web meetings and surrounding tools to realize the digital activities.
These courses often have a larger element of asynchronous activities to reach a wider target group of participants (e.g. participants who work professionally). Courses can also be completely asynchronously where the participants complete the course at their own pace without interaction with other participants. It may be that the course has some physical meetings but they are not a requirement to participate in the course.