USG Distance Education Codes
Distance education codes, also called instructional methods, describe how a course is delivered. They explain how students access course content and how they interact with their instructor and classmates.
The methods listed below come from the University System of Georgia (USG), which sets standard definitions for distance education. The University of North Georgia (UNG) also uses its own guidelines to make sure courses are described clearly and consistently.
| Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F | Fully at a distance |
All instruction is delivered via technology. The course does not require students to travel to a classroom for instruction; however, it might require students to travel to a site to attend a course orientation or to take exams. (NOTE: This is generally equivalent to delivering more than 95 percent of sessions via technology.) |
| SFO |
Synchronous fully online |
SFO Synchronous fully online Classes are delivered in a fully online format with scheduled, synchronous virtual meetings and/or activities. Other learning opportunities in the class are asynchronous. |
| P |
Predominately at a distance |
Technology is used to deliver 51 percent or more of scheduled class sessions, but at least one visit to a classroom (or similar site) for instruction is required. |
| H | At most HALF at a distance |
Technology is used to deliver 50 percent or less of scheduled class sessions, but at least one class session is replaced by technology. |
| Blank | No online class sessions scheduled |
No technology is used in delivering any scheduled class sessions. |