Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | A | Academic Exchange Quarterly

The best of both worlds: teaching a hybrid course.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

While online education alone has strengths and weaknesses, the benefits of online learning can be used to enhance face-to-face teaching. This article will discuss an example of capitalizing on the strengths of online courses to improve interaction and student performance within a traditional class setting.

Introduction

While distance education programs have exploded in recent years, a new trend within the field has emerged: hybrid or blended courses. A hybrid course is a traditional, face-to-face course that has incorporated online elements, using the same course management software that underpins courses taught entirely online. This model can appeal to a wide range of instructors, even those who are critical of online learning, and can be used to improve a variety of courses or solve particular problems. Some universities have used the hybrid model to solve classroom space shortages, to improve communication between students and instructors in large classes, and to address students' needs for computer and technology literacy. [1] This article will explore an example of using a hybrid course to increase communication and improve a problematic course assignment.

Online Teaching and Learning

Distance learning has shown substantial growth in the past decade. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that during 1994-1995, 33% of colleges and universities were offering distance courses, with another 25% planning to begin within 3 years. [2] During another study in 2000-2001, NCES learned that 56% were offering distance courses and 12% were planning to begin. [3] Additionally, according to these two reports, the number of institutions responding that there were no plans to offer distance learning opportunities decreased from 42% to 31%. Further comparison of the two reports also shows extensive growth in number of students and number of courses offered. According to the data, 753,640 students were enrolled in distance courses in 1994-95, while enrollment jumped to 3,077,000 for the 2000-01 academic year. As Christopher R. Wolfe reminds us, teaching online is teaching, and quick, easy access to information is not a replacement for education. [4] Teaching online requires instructors to have different skills than needed in teaching face-to-face. Planning and developing asynchronous courses must be done completely before the course...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!