As an on-campus student, your spring 2021 semester classes will be taught through three learning environments: 1) in-person classes; 2) ASU Sync, remote classes delivered through Zoom; 3) and iCourses, classes delivered 100% online.
Helping you succeed is a top priority for ASU. Access the support you need to enhance your learning experience. Build personal connections and stay involved, develop skills that empower your personal growth and catapult your learning, get technical support for your equipment needs and more on the ASU Sync Student Support site.
In-person
On scheduled days, you will be able to attend your class in an ASU classroom on campus, set up for low student density and safe physical distancing.
Your professors will contact you in January to discuss which days you will be expected to be physically in class.
In some instances, in-person classes will not be available due to the physical space of the classroom, class schedule or number of students registered for the class.
ASU Sync
On scheduled days, you will attend class sessions remotely via Zoom technology, launched directly from My ASU Classes.
Some students who cannot be on campus this spring due to travel restrictions or health concerns may attend the class via ASU Sync.
In some instances, in-person classes will not be available due to the physical space of the classroom, class schedule or number of students registered for the class.
iCourse
Over 2,400 iCourses are available for on-campus students. These classes are designed to be taken entirely online, for the duration of the semester.
You can find and register for an iCourse by filtering by campus location in ASU Class Search.
How in-person classes and ASU Sync will work
Like most on-campus students, your spring semester schedule may include classes that you will attend in-person for some sessions and remotely for other sessions via ASU Sync.
Though each individual class in your schedule may operate differently, as an example, here’s how a class that is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday may work.
On Tuesdays, half of the class will meet in-person while the other half of the class participates in the live class on Zoom via ASU Sync.
On Thursday, those who attended in-person on Tuesday will attend via Sync. The Tuesday group that attended via Sync will attend in-person.
Your professors will contact you in January to inform you how their specific class will be taught and managed.
* If you cannot physically be on campus due to travel restrictions or personal health concerns, you will be able to attend your classes via ASU Sync or through iCourses during the spring semester. If you will not be on-campus for the spring semester, you are expected to contact your professors to make accommodations.
* In some instances, classes will meet entirely remotely due to the physical space of the classroom, class schedule or number of students registered for the class.
A small number of classes, such as labs, performance and art classes may be offered on-campus only. These classes will be marked in your My ASU Classes box.
Accessing ASU Sync in the spring
For all classes offering ASU Sync, depending on your course load in the spring semester, ASU Sync may be utilized differently for each student. To understand how ASU Sync will factor into your schedule, please take the following steps.
01
ASU Sync / In-Person Classes
The majority of on-campus spring classes will offer a blend of in-person and ASU Sync experiences. In these classes you can attend classes in-person on scheduled days and via ASU Sync on scheduled days.
In your My ASU class schedule, classes offered both attendance modalities will include an ASU Sync/In-Person tag, as pictured below.
This My ASU screenshot is for demonstration only and does not necessarily indicate the current status of the class(es) pictured.
02
ASU Sync Only Classes
In some instances, classes will meet entirely remotely due to the physical space of the classroom, class schedule or number of students registered for the class.
In your My ASU class schedule, classes taught via ASU Sync only will include an ASU Sync Only tag. ASU Sync Only classes will include the following note explaining attendance.
This My ASU screenshot is for demonstration only and does not necessarily indicate the current status of the class(es) pictured.
03
In-Person Only Classes
For classes that will be offered in-person only, you will see a grey, In-Person Only tag to the right of the course name in your My ASU semester schedule (as pictured below at left). Additional instructions for students enrolled in classes that will meet in-person only can be found in the Special notes section of the class details (as pictured below at right).
This My ASU screenshot is for demonstration only and does not necessarily indicate the current status of the class(es) pictured.
04
Classes requiring special equipment
Some classes will require you to have personal access to special equipment (such as instruments, sewing machine, etc.) in order for you to take them remotely. In these circumstances, you will see details explaining the requirements in the Special notes section of the class details (as pictured in the My ASU example below). We encourage you to check the Special notes section of the class details to see if specialized equipment is needed to attend your courses via ASU Sync.
This My ASU screenshots are for demonstration only and do not necessarily indicate the current status of the classes pictured.
05
Monitor My ASU
You will access Sync classes directly from My ASU. The week before classes begin each class listed under View My Schedule will have buttons next to them that allow students to launch a live ASU Sync session.
This My ASU screenshot is for demonstration only and does not necessarily indicate the current status of the class(es) pictured.
06
Look for emails and notifications from professors
ASU professors will contact you in January to inform you how their specific class will be taught and managed. If you do not hear from your professors via your ASU email account or via Canvas in the coming weeks, please contact provost@asu.edu.
07
Read your class syllabus
ASU professors are adapting their syllabi for ASU Sync to ensure that you know what to expect about class attendance, group work, quizzes, exams, grading and other aspects of the class experience. Your professors will share with you the spring 2021 syllabus for their class prior to the start of the semester.
Recommended technology for ASU Sync
ASU Sync classes can be live streamed anywhere with the proper technology. We encourage you to use a PC or Apple laptop or desktop equipped with a built-in or standalone webcam. You will need an internet connection that can effectively stream live broadcasts. It is recommended that your internet download speed is at least 5.0 mbps. You can use this tool to test your current connection.
We do not recommend the use of iPads or Chromebooks for ASU Sync as these devices do not work for class exams that may be proctored remotely.
If you are not able to personally finance the equipment you need to attend class via ASU Sync, ASU has a laptop and WiFi hotspot checkout program available through ASU Library.
Who is eligible
Any currently enrolled ASU student is eligible to checkout a laptop. The current availability of laptops can be found here.
Borrowing and returning laptop rules
- Laptops are lent on a first-come, first-serve basis, and cannot be reserved in advance. They can be returned at any time, but will be due at the conclusion of the spring 2021 semester.
- Rentals are limited to one laptop per student.
- Laptops are available for checkout at the following libraries on all four campuses. (Please check online for current library hours)
- Downtown Phoenix campus Library
- Polytechnic campus Library
- Tempe: Hayden and Noble Libraries
- West campus: Fletcher Library
- Return laptops to any ASU Library Information Desk (not at the drop box or other location)
- Refer to ASU Library Computer Use Policy and ASU Computer, Internet, and Electronic Communications Policy.
- Borrowers are responsible for loss, damage, and theft of the laptop while in their possession. Borrowers should verify the condition of the laptop at the time of check-out and upon check-in.
If your question has not been answered, please email us at provost@asu.edu and we will be happy to assist you.