Standard Pedagogies

A total of six (6) different types of instructional modalities have been defined for the Ferris Learning Outcomes (FLOs). These methodologies represent a spectrum of different approaches commonly used in Higher Education to instruct students. The relative frequency of these approaches will be tracked using Nuventive Improve. There are no pre-defined desired levels for any of these strategies. Rather, any distributions discovered will serve as merely as a starting point for a faculty discussion of General Education pedagogy. A brief definition of each of these academic practices follows below.

01) Face-to-face delivery – This is considered the “traditional” instructional model of higher education. The instructor, using a variety of learning props such as the whiteboard, PowerPoint, handouts, etc., delivers course content orally. The students primarily listen and take notes.

02) Blended delivery – Often, more than one pedagogical approach is used to deliver course instruction. This final designation is meant to act as a catch-all to capture those instances.

03) Completely online delivery – These classes are delivered entirely online (or very nearly so). At Ferris, these courses typically rely upon an extensive Canvas shell to present materials, interact with students, and measure student competency.

04) Laboratory experience – Laboratory instruction typically takes place in a controlled indoor environment. Students use inquiry-based learning approaches to apply their course-related knowledge in a hands-on approach. Laboratories are common in, but not limited to, the sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, and biology).

05) Field experience – Field instruction typically takes place in an uncontrolled outdoor environment. Students use inquiry-based learning approaches to apply their course-related knowledge in a hands-on approach. Although field work occurs in the sciences, it is also common in many technological fields.

06) Internship or fellowship – Many programs require students to gain program experience outside of classroom instruction. Internships and fellowships are an exchange of services for experience between the student and an organization. Students are exposed to the real-life dynamics of the workplace while taking advantage of their experiences to confirm their career interests and validate their abilities.