In-Person and Online Educational Requirements:

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A Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) course design enables a flexible participation policy for students, whereby students may attend face-to-face synchronous class sessions in-person (typically in a traditional classroom) and/or complete course learning activities online through virtual attendance, participation, and engagement with the Montessori learning environment. Montessori Teacher College Sacramento offers a HyFlex course design model using a Course Management System along with partnering use of the Google Suite and Classroom platforms for adult learning and portfolio development. The components of hybrid learning will be performed and carried out in a flexible course structure that offers students varied options such as attending sessions in the classroom, participating online, and/or doing both. Throughout the early childhood teacher education program, adult learners will be informed based on the course syllabus as changes will occur regarding mode of attendance weekly or by topic, according to need and/or program preference.

MTCS braids programming between online / distance education and in person / physical / site-based campus experiences. It is the intention to serve and meet the holistic and academic needs of all adult learners to become professional educators. This program offers strong cohort building components to support like-minded learners through the understanding of the Montessori philosophy and curriculum, to the prepared environment, development, and implementation for children 2 ½ -6. The online component allows for distance learning with the newest technology! The program builds on the Montessori principles; order, concentration, coordination, and independence that fosters growth in physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. The training demonstrations will occur through movement, choice, interest, peer tutoring ---- with the adult becoming the dynamic link between the prepared environment and the interest of the child (Montessori, 1967). 

Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning:

Synchronous learning refers to all types of learning in which learner(s) and instructor(s) are in the same place, at the same time (In-person, Face to Face, and/or online via video conferencing), in order for learning to take place. This includes in-person classes, live streaming meetings when the whole class or smaller groups get together.

Asynchronous learning is a general term used to describe forms of education, instruction, and learning that do not occur in the same place or at the same time, although they can be in person, face to face, or online via video conferencing.

For each fall and spring terms 1 and 2, both full time synchronous and asynchronous work will take place. Each course shall meet synchronously and asynchronous, Distance Education portion learning will begin, with simultaneous practicum/student teaching. 

The Professional Learning Community (PLC) that you join, will be created during the asynchronous weekly sessions beginning at the start of week 2 and will be composed of your collaboration cohort professional learning community.

If for whatever reason, you are absent and unable to attend the weekly class and/or your PLC weekly meeting, you are expected to watch the recording and be accountable to your role regarding individual assignments and to the responsibilities set by the instructors and delegated to each member in the PLC.

The adult learner is required to have a laptop with proficient internet that meets the syllabi technology specifications. Full access and MTCS support are available to all enrolled adult learners. During online synchronous and asynchronous video conferencing, it is expected that audio and visual cameras be on in that Montessori discussion and materials are sensory based and require visual observation by all concerned. If for any reason, internet capabilities are such that audio is compromised, a discussion shall be had to make other arrangements.

If the school site of the Adult Learner within the cohort is not available, then the MTCS lab site will be available for the cohort to utilize. If any member of the cohort is not regionally located, the practice time may be done remotely (with site verification) via ZOOM within the Adult Learners classroom so the materials for practice are available, alongside the rest of the cohort meeting face to face.