Thursday, June 2, 2011
Are Hybrid Courses as Effective as Traditional Courses?
A hybrid course is a combination of a traditional ‘in-classroom’ style of learning with the more modern ‘on-line’ course. Basically, the class will meet in-person for about half as much time as a traditional class and the rest of the work will be on-line
Needed Technology
Unlike traditional courses hybrid courses require a 'place' to meet on the internet. Programs such as Blackboard and eCampus can provide the tools a hybrid course needs such as discussion board, a way to post daily lessons, and a way to securely submit homework assignments.
Additionally, hybrid courses would also use the typical technology found in a classroom such as, PowerPoint presentations, videos, and overhead transparencies.
Potential Benefits
Hybrid courses offer many benefits for students. Hybrid courses are more convenient for students who work full time or are raising a family since less time is spent on campus and work can be done when it is convenient for the student. Additionally, meeting in person means a professor can walk the students through the online portion of the class so there is no confusion, which can happen in purely online courses.
Potential Problems
Hybrid courses will not work for students who are not strong at time management. Since much of the work is done online and there is less in-class time students have to be very good at managing their time and ensuring that they complete their work. Additionally, plagiarism and academically dishonest behavior is easier in hybrid courses. Students can read other students' discussion posts before writing their own.
There is also concern about professors giving their students adequate feedback on tests or other written assignments. Some of this can be attributed to a lack of 'informal' feedback that exists in a traditional course where students and professors interact more frequently. However, professors have to be especially conscious to give students the help they need.
Hybrid Courses in the Future
Since non-traditional students are on the rise hybrid courses will become more of the norm. Recently some universities have begun offering hybrid Master's programs, further cementing the future of hybrid courses.
Hybrid Courses Compared to Traditional Courses
Studies comparing hybrid and traditional courses have found not statistically significant difference in grades; however, not every course can work as a hybrid course. Courses that require immediate feedback to be effective would not be successful hybrid courses. Though, large lecture courses or courses that use online modules can be very effective as hybrid courses.
References
Bernadette Starzee. (2010, August). Long Island universities testing hybrid classes. Long Island Business News. Retrieved May 25, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Dateline. (Document ID: 2106285391).
Jackson, M., & Helms, M.. (2008). Student Perceptions of Hybrid Courses: Measuring and Interpreting Quality. Journal of Education for Business, 84(1), 7-12. Retrieved June 1, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1580346591).
Kelly, Rob. (2008, October 29). Nine tips for creating a hybrid course. Retrieved from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/curriculum-development/nine-tips-for-creating-a-hybrid-course/
Mosca, J., Ball, D., Buzza, J., & Paul, D.. (2010). A Comprehensive Student-Based Analysis Of Hybrid Courses: Student Preferences And Design Criteria For Success. Journal of Business & Economics Research, 8(5), 7-21. Retrieved June 1, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2053998611).
Wilson, W. (2008). In-class-online hybrid methods of teaching planning theory: assessing impacts on discussion and learning. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 28(2), Retrieved from http://jpe.sagepub.com.mutex.gmu.edu/content/28/2/237.full.pdf+html doi: 10.1177/0739456X08324286