modality

Definition

The format or delivery method of a course, such as in-person, online, or hybrid. It's academic jargon for 'how are we actually doing this class?'—a question that became existentially important during pandemic times.

Example Usage

The course listing specified a 'hybrid modality,' meaning students would suffer through both the commute to campus and the technical difficulties of Zoom in a single semester.

Origin

Borrowed from linguistics and philosophy, adapted by educational technology in the early 2000s

Fun Fact

Before 2020, most students never thought about modality; after 2020, everyone had strong opinions about which modality they preferred, usually based on which one required less actual pants-wearing.

Source: Educational technology standards and course delivery frameworks

Related Terms

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A compilation of photocopied readings assembled by professors, sold at campus bookstores for prices approaching that of a regular textbook. It's how academia circumvents expensive textbooks by creating expensive custom anthologies instead.

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resume inflation

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academic advising syllabus

A document outlining the advising relationship, expectations, and resources—essentially a syllabus for the relationship between advisor and student. Because apparently everything in academia requires a syllabus now.

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SLO

Student Learning Outcome—specific, measurable statements describing what students should know or be able to do after completing a course. They're primarily written to satisfy accreditors and rarely read by actual students.

🎓 Education / Academia

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