Carnegie Mellon University

Teaching & Learning Modalities in SIO

Course delivery modalities refer to how a course is offered by the instructor (i.e., in-person, remote). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of course delivery modalities were created to provide flexibility related to campus posture changes. 

Course delivery modalities are displayed in Student Information Online (SIO), the Schedule of Classes and Stellic.

Below is a listing of possible course modalities and their abbreviations as displayed in SIO, the Schedule of Classes and Stellic.

Course Delivery Modalities

IPE:  In-Person Expectation

Delivered in-person (such as in a classroom). Students are expected to be in the classroom during the course's scheduled meeting time.

IPO:  In-Person Only

Delivered in-person (such as in a classroom). Students will be in the classroom during the course’s scheduled meeting time. Reserved for courses where classroom facilities are required.

REO:  Remote Only

Delivered remotely via technology. Students will attend remotely during the course’s scheduled meeting time.

PER:  In-Person Expectation Rotation

Delivered in-person (such as in a classroom) with students attending on a rotating basis. When "off rotation," students do asynchronous coursework (i.e., watch a video, read/review material); they do not attend synchronously via Zoom. 

IPR:  In-Person + Remote

Uses a combined approach of in-person attendance (such as in a classroom) and remote technology. Students may choose to attend in-person or remotely during the course’s scheduled meeting time.

IRR:  In-Person (Rotation) + Remote

Uses a combined approach of remote technology and rotating in-person attendance (i.e., if a course meets on MW, some attend in-person on M and remotely on W, while others attend remotely on M and in-person on W). Students may choose to attend in-person or remotely during the course’s scheduled meeting time.

IPT: In-Person + Technology

Delivered in a classroom via synchronous technology while the instructor is at a different teaching location. Students are expected to be in the classroom during the course’s scheduled meeting time. IPT courses meet the criteria to be considered in-person for international students to align with immigration regulations and remote to align with federal financial aid requirements.

The following are examples of how course delivery modalities are displayed in SIO and other online course tools:

The SIO Plan Course Schedule page has been updated to show course-section delivery modes when viewing course search results after using the "Search for a course to add" link or when clicking the blue i-circle for planned courses. 

The SIO Registration page has been updated to show course-section delivery modes when viewing course search results. 

In addition, day and time assignments to reflect the stretched schedule.

The list view of the Semester Schedule has been updated to include course delivery modes. Clicking on the red i-circle will provide section details that include the delivery mode for the course. Additionally, the building/room assigned to courses that will be offered remotely displays as "CMU REMOTE" under "BLDG/ROOM." If "TBD" appears under "BLDG/ROOM," a learning space has not yet been assigned.

Courses viewed in the Schedule of Classes (SOC) and Stellic Academic Audit application also show the stretched daily schedule and updated building/room assignments.

Note: Course Attendance

The expectation is that students attend courses during the course meeting’s scheduled day and time (synchronously); however, some instructors may have other preferred course formats. For example, some may prefer to offer a pre-recorded course (asynchronously) to better accommodate students in different time zones.