Hybrid Courses

What is Hybrid?

Learning need not take place in a “same time/same place” environment. Because of technology’s ability to provide synchronous and asynchronous communications, other options now exist.

The hybrid model adopted most in CTEL hybrid courses incorporates a combination of the face-to-face and online techniques. Research suggests this formula best meets the pressing needs of students for collaboration and time demands, while allowing instruction to enhance their courses with innovative technologies.

Convenience

Hybrid courses are convenient because students have flexibility in scheduling class work, internships, jobs, and family responsibilities. Although the workload in hybrid courses is not lessened, time on campus is decreased if the student organizes his/her schedule to include multiple hybrid courses. During online time, students can work at their own location.

Effectiveness

Hybrid instructors report increased interaction among students and between students and faculty. Additionally, faculty and students report that students learn more in the Hybrid format than they do in their previous traditional class sections due to the online resources available throughout the semester. Additionally, technology-savvy students enjoy the rich learning environments allowed with online learning tools.

What Students Prefer

Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek (2006) suggest that students have two conflicting needs. Even though they prefer face-to-face (F2F) interactions where they can interface with other students and their instructors, the increasing demands placed on their time entice them to supplement or replace conventional learning with distance options. Additionally, technology-savvy students enjoy the rich learning environments allowed with online learning tools.

Student Benefits to Hybrid Participation

The addition of online interactions allow students many benefits, some of which include:

1. You will be able to learn in any convenient location that has Internet connectivity.
2. You will be able to engage in the learning process any time (as long as you still maintain commitment to course-prescribed timelines and due dates).
3. You will experience mixed media and methods, some of which heavily rely on technology in the hands of the students, which is oftentimes not possible during F2F classes that don’t have computer access.
4. You will better be able to individualize your time requirements, pace, and study/inquiry methods.
5. You will be able to uphold a high level of independence.

Is Hybrid Right for Me?

Students choosing the hybrid course option should be confident in their abilities to work in the online environment independently and collaboratively. Students enrolling in a hybrid course should:

• Be technology-literate
  • Familiar with software and hardware basics
  • Have dependable access to a computer with high-speed Internet connectivity
• Be dedicated to learning online technologies
  • Like the freedom and flexibility technology provides
  • Willing to work through technology "challenges" without "giving up"
• Be self-responsible
  • Hybrid courses require as much work time as F2F courses — manage your online time well
  • Less seat time IN class + more OUTSIDE of class work time = more independence expected of you

Finding a Hybrid Course

Hybrid courses are designated in the online class schedule with BOTH a physical location (building and room) and "online." All hybrid courses meet as designated in the schedule for the days and times listed, which typically constitute 50% of the class meeting time (e.g., for a three credit course, this would be half the normal 45 clock hours in face-to-face time). Instructors plan learning activities that are conducted online for the remaining time.

College Division Directors determine whether a course is offered as hybrid based on a number of factors.

Blackboard

Blackboard is used for course delivery of all CTEL hybrid courses. You can access the course shells through http://myasucourses.asu.edu or by clicking "My Courses" in MyASU.

Scheduling

Hybrid instructors report increased interaction among students and between students and faculty. Additionally, faculty and students report that students learn more in the Hybrid format than they do in their previous traditional class sections due to the online resources available throughout the semester. Additionally, technology-savvy students enjoy the rich learning environments allowed with online learning tools.

Students can schedule multiple hybrid courses. The following tables illustrate possible schedules benefiting from hybrid courses.

Sample Schedule A: All courses hybrid on one day

Sample Schedule B: All courses hybrid over two days

Sample Schedule C: Combination of F2F and hybrid.

Need More Info?

General questions about courses or registration should be directed to CTEL Advising. Course specific questions should be directed to the individual instructor listed in the course schedule.

References

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2006). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.