Scheduling Considerations for Different Learning

Environments
You may be attending your courses in-person, online, or in a blended format. When you
are learning in-person, your course will have predetermined days, times and rooms
assigned to it. In an online learning environment, you may have more control in
planning how you use your time to complete the course. Learning online can be flexible
but it does not mean it is less work! Completing a course online or in a blended format
will take as much (or maybe more) time as a fully in-person course. You will likely
require more self-discipline in your learning to complete an online or blended course.

Table 1. A comparison of scheduling responsibilities between on-campus and online

courses:

Course Online
Component In-person Synchronous Asynchronous
& Delivery (live online session) (self-directed content)
Mode Student responsibilities include:
Add class times & Add class times Add time for self-
location to weekly to weekly schedule directed learning
schedule components to weekly
Complete any pre- schedule in advance of
Lectures, Tutorials,
Complete any pre- work in advance any in-person or live
Labs, Seminars
work in advance sessions
Verify technology
Allot sufficient travel requirements &
time functionality
Add pre-work to weekly schedule in advance of any in-person or
Pre and Post work
live session
(e.g. pre-labs,
readings,
Add post-work to weekly schedule after all components have
discussion posts)
been completed
 Course Online
Component In-person Synchronous Asynchronous
& Delivery (live online session) (self-directed content)
Mode Student responsibilities include:
Add to weekly Schedule live group Add work time to
schedule to begin work sessions weekly schedule and
work well in advance aim to begin work well
of the due date Verify deadlines to in advance of the due
account for time date
Assignments,
Book study space, zone differences
Projects, Group
design studio, Verify deadlines to
work
computer lab space Consider time zone account for time
as needed for differences when zone differences
assignments and planning group
group work sessions work

Allot sufficient travel Add regular study sessions to weekly

time schedule

Quizzes, Midterms, Add regular study Verify technology requirements &

Exams sessions to weekly functionality
schedule
Verify deadlines to account for time
zone differences
Allot sufficient Add regular office Add time in weekly
travel time hours to weekly schedule to email
schedule instructor or TA
Help Sessions
Add regular office with questions
or Office Hours
hours to weekly Verify technology
schedule requirements &
functionality
Table 2. Common challenges in online and blended learning and how they can be
overcome by using a termly, monthly, weekly, and/or daily plans to manage your time:
How to avoid common challenges: Where to capture this
information
Termly Monthly Weekly Daily
Plan Plan Plan Plan

Missing deadlines X X X
Use your course outline to plot in deadlines for all
of your courses and use this to create your weekly
schedules. Account for any time zone differences
when submitting work. Note the opening/closing
dates for quizzes and set time to access the quiz
before the deadline.
Managing workload of asynchronous X X
content (videos, articles, etc.) just before a
midterm/exam
Keep up with course content by sticking to a regular
schedule and use your termly schedule to identify
slower weeks when you can spend more time
preparing for upcoming tests and assignments.
Less structure due to fewer in person X X
classes
Incorporate any synchronous or in-person sessions
into your schedule as reoccurring blocks. Then
schedule in self-directed work, study time, etc.
Difficulties communicating for group X X
projects
Plan time to coordinate when and how group work
will be completed. Account for time zone
differences. Anticipating potential delays in task
completion and adding in buffer time can be
helpful.
Lacking deep engagement with course X
content
Devote time to reviewing and learning content more
thoroughly by participating in online discussions,
breakout rooms, attending tutorials and help
sessions.
How to avoid common challenges: Where to capture this
information
Termly Monthly Weekly Daily
Plan Plan Plan Plan

Missing important course information X X

Regularly check the learning platform for
announcements or updates (min. 1x per week).
Inefficient Approaches to Learning X
Plan to include frequent breaks in your study and
review sessions (e.g. 20 min of work & 10 min
break, repeat) This will help ensure you’re
optimizing your capacity to retain new information.