Instructional Methods

Choose the Learning Format That Works for You

Choosing your instructional method is an important step in planning your schedule and finding a path that fits your life.

At PennWest, courses are offered in several formats designed to support different learning styles, needs, and routines. Whether you prefer the structure of in‑person classes, the flexibility of online learning, or a mix of both, understanding these options will help you register with confidence and stay on track toward your goals.

Type	Code	Section Numbers	Description
Asynchronous Distance Education	ASYNC	400-499	Asynchronous courses are offered entirely online but not at a specific date and time.
Blended/Hybrid	BLND	Driven by campus location: California: 100–199 Edinboro: 200-299 Clarion: 300-399	Blended courses are offered face-to-face but has at least 30% offered via distance education (i.e., 30%-79% online).
Face-to-Face	F2F	Driven by campus location: California: 100–199 Edinboro: 200-299 Clarion: 300-399	These courses happen in real time, where faculty and students are physically present in the same classroom but on a specific campus.
HyFlex	HYFL	Driven by campus location: California: 100–199 Edinboro: 200-299 Clarion: 300-399	Hyflex courses are offered via two or more modalities, and students may choose modalities for each class period.
Multi‑Classroom Synchronous	MCS	Driven by campus location: California: 100–199 Edinboro: 200-299 Clarion: 300-399	MCS courses are offered in-person at a home (ITV-H) campus location and remotely (ITV-R) at the scheduled class time in other classrooms.
Mixed Remote	MXRE	800-899	Mixed Remote courses are offered entirely by distance education, using a combination of non-simultaneous, synchronous and asynchronous instruction, as indicated in the course syllabus.
Simultaneous Modalities	SIM	SIM-F: will be campus driven SIM-A: will be 400-499 SIM-S: will be 600-699	In these courses, some students attend in person while others join online at the same time. Instruction is delivered live to both groups, and participation expectations are the same for all students.
Synchronous Distance Education	SYNC	600-699	Synchronous courses are offered entirely online at a specific date and time.