Reducing academic barriers to degree completion

We are hearing from students that academic barriers are preventing them from moving more quickly through their degrees. Over the coming year, we are exploring how to reduce these barriers and create more flexibility for our students by considering the following questions:

• Can we strategically use Online and Blended courses to reduce bottlenecks in our programs? Are there ways to leverage lessons learned about online teaching during the pandemic to increase flexibility?
• Are there ways to more strategically use intersession to allow students to complete courses quickly through a shorter, more intense learning experience? Should we provide more flexibility to students by offering courses on evenings and weekends?
• Can we reduce the complexity of our curriculum to make it simpler for students to get the courses they need and move through their degrees?

Blended Learning Assessment Project

A pilot of a new Blended (B) course classification was launched at SFU in 2022 to support our goal of providing flexible learning options for our students.SFU’s definition of blended courses, adopted by Senate, is:

“Blended courses at SFU have at least one quarter and no more than three quarters of student learning integral to the course occurring in the online environment, replacing in-person instruction.” Learn more about SFU's definition of Blended courses.

To ensure that the way that we are supporting blended learning at SFU is meeting our instructors’ and students’ teaching and learning needs, we have been analyzing current approaches to blended courses at SFU, and benefits and challenges of this modality. See the reports below.