SASE Launches Initiative to Clarify Course Modalities and Expectations

In April, Ivy Tech Community College spotlights the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education (SASE). Here on the Indianapolis campus, we are excited to share SASE's new initiative to improve its students' communication and time management by helping them understand the various course modalities and the expectations associated with each.  

Dean Sara Shlaer, who has been leading the effort, shared insights into the challenges students face when navigating the different course formats offered at Ivy Tech. 

"We've heard from many faculty, particularly this semester, that students don't always understand when they have to show up for classes," Shlaer explained. 

With the rise of blended, virtual, and online classes, students often struggle to differentiate between the expectations for each modality.

For example, some students may enroll in a blended class that meets partially in person and partially on Zoom, while others may sign up for an online class that requires asynchronous work–tasks or assignments that students complete on their own time, without real-time interaction with instructors or peers.

"Students see the schedule, and they might think, 'I only have to go to the Zoom meetings,' or 'I only have to come to campus,' but they don’t realize there’s additional work outside of class," Shlaer noted. 

This confusion can lead to missed assignments, poor time management, and frustration for both students and faculty.

Learn more about the five class types Ivy Tech offers its students. 

To address this issue, Shlaer and her team have worked closely with academic advisors, the registrar’s office, and enrollment specialists to improve student communication. One key component of the initiative is updating course shells in IvyLearn, the College’s learning management system, to clearly outline the time commitments and expectations for each class.

"We’re asking faculty to note in the course shell how many hours students should expect to work outside of class," Shlaer said. "For example, if a class meets three hours a week in person, but there’s also asynchronous work, we want students to know upfront how much time they’ll need to dedicate to that class."

While the initiative is still in its early stages, Shlaer believes it will significantly impact student success. 

"This gives students a better understanding of what the expectations are and what kind of time commitment they’ll need to make," she said. "It helps them plan out their week and their term more effectively."

The initiative also benefits faculty by ensuring that all instructional needs and contact hours are met. 

"It helps us think through what we want students to get out of the class and how we can meet the course objectives," Shlaer added.

To measure the success of the initiative, Shlaer plans to gather feedback from students and faculty. 

"We may do a survey in some classes to ask students if they found the time estimates helpful and if it improved their time management," she said.

This initiative underscores SASE’s commitment to supporting students and faculty alike. 

"This is helpful for our faculty as well as our students," Shlaer said. "It ensures that everyone is on the same page and that students have the tools they need to succeed."

The message for students is clear: When choosing classes, it’s essential to consider not only the schedule but also the time commitment required for each modality. 

As Shlaer put it, "Some classes might look like a great time deal because they don’t meet as many hours, but there’s additional work on the other end that students need to be aware of."

As the initiative rolls out, SASE will continue to refine its approach based on feedback from the Ivy Tech community. With more transparent communication and better planning tools, students will be better equipped to balance their academic, work, and personal responsibilities—a key step toward achieving their educational goals.

Students and faculty are encouraged to contact Dean Sara Shlaer at sshlaer@ivytech.edu for more information about the initiative or to share feedback.