how to teach a great hybrid course

by Prof. Clinton Thompson DDS 10 min read

Ten useful tips for teaching a hybrid course for the first time.

  • 1. Track group performance outside the classroom. Take advantage of technological tools to do this. For example, analytics within your learning ...
  • 2. Review and adapt.
  • 3. Show confidence in the modality in front of learners.
  • 4. Be prepared for learners’ reactions.
  • 5. Promote the learner’s prior preparation.

Conduct group activities that allow on-site students to work together and remote students to work together, then mix it up by creating smaller hybrid groups. Engagement is about stimulation, to keep your students intellectually stimulated remember to include variation in your lesson plan.May 6, 2021

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Are You on your way to creating your first hybrid course?

If you can answer that essential question, you are well on your way to creating your first hybrid course! 1 Garrison, D. Randy, and Heather Kanuka. “Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher education.”

What is hybrid teaching and how does it work?

However, hybrid teaching should not be thought of as just the average of traditional face-to-face learning and online courses. Rather, they are their own specialized format and require specific strategies to keep students engaged and involved with both the online and in-person portions of the class.

What is a hybrid or blended course?

The term hybrid, or blended course, signifies a new way of thinking about how to harness the power of technology to promote learning and identify the best strategies to help students master important course concepts. However, it is about more than just teaching an existing course in a new format.

How do I build community in my hybrid classroom?

The online components of your hybrid teaching provide unique opportunities for you and your students to establish community. Consider asking students to introduce themselves in the virtual environment before your class starts or within the first week.

What are the five elements of hybrid learning?

5 Pillars of Hybrid LearningStructure. A new reform always comes up with new challenges. ... Flexible Instructional Collaboration. All students are not the same, some need regular sessions for doubt clearance and more motivational guidance while others are self-reliant. ... Self-study. ... Two-way feedback. ... Self-direction.

What makes a hybrid classroom successful?

To ensure success with hybrid learning, K-12 leaders need to focus on three key elements in particular: planning high-quality instruction, equipping classrooms with the right technology, and designing classrooms strategically to support teachers and students.

How do you make hybrid learning fun?

0:478:27Teach In-Class and Online at the Same Time with Fun Activities!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo here are my top five ways that you can keep your in person and your virtual. Students engaged atMoreSo here are my top five ways that you can keep your in person and your virtual. Students engaged at exactly the same time. First use collaboration. Tools when it comes to collaboration.

How do you engage students in a hybrid classroom?

5 ways to engage students in a hybrid classroomProvide the best audiovisual experience possible. A solid technical setup is a must-have. ... Set clear rules and be transparent in communication. ... Assign group work. ... Use polls for learning and feedback. ... Embrace the technology at hand. ... Conclusion.

What is a hybrid teaching style?

A hybrid teaching model is when some students receive in-class, face-to-face instruction while other students receive out-of-class, online instruction. It may be a 50/50 mix, or it may be that three or four students receive virtual instruction while the rest are in the classroom as usual.

What all activities can you do to increase participation of the college students in hybrid mode?

Here are 11 things to try to get students participating in the hybrid learning classroom.Start with an active learning warm-up. ... Level the playing field. ... Use breakout rooms. ... Take reflection breaks. ... Flip the classroom. ... Assign a student to check the chat. ... Take frequent understanding checks. ... Ensure every voice is heard.More items...•

How do I set up a hybrid teacher?

1:3616:35EASY Hybrid Teaching Technology Setup - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo without further ado let's jump into it when i am hybrid teaching i use two computers a desktopMoreSo without further ado let's jump into it when i am hybrid teaching i use two computers a desktop and a laptop previously in the year when i was teaching all virtually i was using one computer with

What are the 4 teaching styles?

In the contemporary classroom, five distinct teaching styles have emerged as the primary strategies adopted by modern teachers: The Authority Style, The Delegator Style, The Facilitator Style, The Demonstrator Style and The Hybrid Style.

How can I teach online and class at the same time?

For lessons and student practice, use interactive technology that lets you see all students' work at the same time. You may already be using some of these, but I would suggest technology like Pear Deck or NearPod that both let you make your lessons interactive. You could also use something like ClassKick , Whiteboard.

What 3 things can you do to engage students in an online session?

Student engagement in online learning – what works and whyBe present.Create interesting learning materials.Provide 1-to-1 sessions.Assign some group work.Create an online forum for discussions.Provide and ask for a regular feedback.Challenge students.

How do you get students to engage with each other?

Be clear and consistent. Clues for engagement expectations are fairly evident inside of in-person instructional environments. ... Offer opportunities for ownership and choice. ... Create structures that allow students to engage non-verbally. ... Ensure effective small-group collaboration. ... Build in movement throughout the day.

Preparing to Teach Hybrid Courses

This Fall several courses that would have been delivered fully on campus will be taught in a hybrid format. In hybrid courses, there are synchronous/live class times where some students will be in the classroom while others will be attending virtually. Students also complete asynchronous activities outside of the class time.

Plan the Activities

Determine synchronous activities, asynchronous activities, and how students will be assessed.

Communicate Expectations

Communicate expectations before class starts and on the first day of class.

More Information

For sample verbiage to include in your course syllabus regarding course format, COVID-19 precautions, DSS accommodations, grading, etc., please view the Fall 2020 Syllabus Template.

Why is hybrid learning important?

With a hybrid learning format, it is advantageous to have students engage with course content online, leaving more time in class for active learning. In addition to providing students opportunities to engage with the material in meaningful ways and to interact with classmates in their learning community, class time can be used to:

How to collaborate with students?

Have students compile a course glossary together, or work in groups to produce a proposal. Collaborative writing exposes students to various writing styles and approaches and provides them with more feedback on their own writing and ideas.

Why do you have to take a quiz before class?

Requiring students to take an online quiz before attending class can be a source of motivation while providing instant feedback regarding their understanding of the material. Engage all students in discussions – Offering students the opportunity to discuss online accommodates a variety of learning preferences.

How does online interaction reinforce classroom learning?

Online interactions can reinforce or extend those that occur in the classroom and vice versa – Students provide feedback to each other online and then respond to the feedback in face-to-face sessions. Or students finish a discussion online that started in class.

How to use active learning?

Utilize active learning techniques such as composing quick writing responses, working in pairs to answer questions, searching online for relevant information or clarification, or simply having students compare their notes with or quiz their neighbor.

How to prepare for in class activities?

Prepare for in-class activities – In addition to assigning readings, providing some course content online through video tutorials or documentaries, for example, allows students to preview course material visually. Requiring students to take an online quiz before attending class can be a source of motivation while providing instant feedback regarding their understanding of the material.

How to provide feedback to students?

Provide more feedback by walking around and answering student questions as they work through and get stuck on problems. Before you answer questions, consider posing the question to the group first.

What is hybrid course?

A hybrid course is much more than just an online course with a face-to-face class session thrown in for good measure . It involves asking, “What is the best way for students to interact with course content, construct knowledge, engage in critical thinking and problem solving?” Purposeful decisions are made by the instructor as to what activities are best included in face-to-face class sessions, and which activities would work well in a virtual environment. The term hybrid, or blended course, signifies a new way of thinking about how to harness the power of technology to promote learning and identify the best strategies to help students master important course concepts. However, it is about more than just teaching an existing course in a new format.

What is hybrid learning?

Hybrid or blended learning promotes active learning and increased student engagement. Classroom lectures, readings, and even demonstrations which would traditionally fill classroom time can now be delivered in the online environment. Instructional time is used for students to collaborate on course projects and participate in authentic learning activities. Class time is also devoted to in-depth discussions of important course concepts, allowing the instructor to clarify misunderstandings, and provide assistance to students who are struggling. Blended learning allows the instructor, or subject matter expert, to select the best environment for each learning activity while also affording the opportunity to also address multiple learning styles 2.

What is hybrid course?

Updated October 20 2020. Hybrid courses (also known as blended courses) mix face-to-face instruction with various kinds of online learning. Students in hybrid courses are expected to participate in both online and in-person parts of the class. Hybrid courses have been traditionally been used for low-residency college and graduate student programs, ...

What is hybrid learning?

In many ways, hybrid courses are a great opportunity for students and teachers to discover everything virtual learning can bring to both fully-remote and more traditional classroom experiences. Students and instructors alike with have the opportunity to connect in multiple ways that will ease the strains of the social distancing required by the pandemic, while also gaining valuable skills that will help them navigate today’s distributed workplaces.

Why do you need to introduce yourself in a hybrid classroom?

This allows students to showcase their creativity and talk about what’s important to them using the asynchronous features of hybrid learning. This prevents introductions from cutting into limited face-to-face learning time, while still providing ways for students to get to know each other.

Why are group projects important in hybrid classrooms?

Group projects are particularly valuable to hybrid teaching in 2020, because they can help build class cohesion and community during a time when many students feel isolated during the pandemic. Group projects also have the benefit of encouraging peer-to-peer teaching.

Why is it important to let students know their preferences?

Letting students know those preferences are okay, while also highlighting the need to meet requirements can help diffuse discomfort some students may experience in some learning environments. This will also open the door to feedback that can help you make your class even more responsive to student needs.

Is hybrid teaching the same as face to face learning?

However, hybrid teaching should not be thought of as just the average of traditional face-to-face learning and online courses. Rather, they are their own specialized format and require specific strategies to keep students engaged and involved with both the online and in-person portions of the class.

Can you watch a video lecture online?

For the online-learning portions of your hybrid classes, be sure to use a range of virtual classroom tools. Yes, video lectures students can watch on their own time are a great start, but keeping students engaged means taking advantage of a range of virtual features.

What is hybrid course?

At Stanford, the term hybrid describes a course that meets partially in-person and partially fully online. Hybrid courses have distinct requirements and policies associated with them.

Why are hybrid courses so resource intensive?

Because hybrid courses require the expertise, techniques, and tools of traditional or blended courses and fully online courses, they can be particularly resource-intensive. Adapting an existing course into a hybrid format typically takes many iterations over a period of time. The interdependence of technology, pedagogy, and content is heightened in hybrid formats, so we recommend careful consideration of the overall course design of a hybrid course.

What is a hybrid flexible course?

Hybrid-Flexible or HyFlex refers to a subset of hybrid courses that emphasize flexibility and student choice. In HyFlex courses, individual students choose how they will participate from session to session. For example, in a HyFlex course, a student may have the option to attend any session in person, attend remotely on Zoom, or watch the recording and complete additional activities later.

What factors should be considered when considering hybrid teaching?

Considerations around technology tools, classroom resources, teaching team workloads, and accreditation may factor into your decision to offer a hybrid course. If you are considering hybrid teaching, the following questions are good places to start.

Is hybrid course good?

Despite these challenges, a hybrid course can be a very effective format, particularly when there is a teaching team and ample support resources. Hybrid courses tend to be a good fit for students that are independent and have strong learning skills. They are also suitable for courses that are project-based or leverage learning communities.

Is Hyflex a good course?

While HyFlex courses offer significant benefits to access and flexibility , they must address the logistical and pedagogic challenges of the different course modalities all at once, which make them potentially the most technology-dependent and resource-intensive. At Stanford, there are a limited number of classrooms that support HyFlex.

1. Track group performance outside the classroom

Take advantage of technological tools to do this. For example, analytics within your learning management system can be used to identify learners who have not consistently logged on to the platform and to help reinforce with them the importance of the material provided online.

2. Review and adapt

Adapt your teaching practice to the specific needs of learners based on immediate results.

3. Show confidence in the modality in front of learners

The first time you teach a hybrid course, there may be nervousness and concerns that lead you to want to warn the group that it’s your first time with this type of course or that: “It’s new to me, too.” Beware of this.

6. Beware the butterfly effect

It’s normal that, during and after our interactions with the group, we will identify the need to modify elements of our initial planning. Extending deadlines, rearranging topics, changing their duration and more might all be required.

7. Feedback, feedback, feedback

Learners need to know how they are performing and what is expected of them – and this should be delivered not only in face-to-face sessions but also in the asynchronous environment.

8. Open your communication channels

In a hybrid course, learners often have high expectations about the attention they will receive outside class hours. It is advisable to establish communication channels for this purpose − technological support for asynchronous interaction is essential at this point.

9. Ask questions of your students

Be open to feedback from the group about what you could improve in your class. Establish a strategy for receiving their feedback.

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Plan The Activities

  • Determine synchronous activities, asynchronous activities, and how students will be assessed. 1. Review your learning objectives to help you decide how to teach the content. Decide which topics can be explained well in a pre-recorded lecture, which topics would be better understood with a synchronous activity, and which topics could be further explored through an asynchronous discu…
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Create The Course

  • Build and organize the course in Canvas. 1. Follow the steps in the Faculty Pre-Semester Checklist and organize your Canvas course using these course organization tips. 2. Set clear and consistent due dates for activities and assessments. 3. In each module, state what needs to be done before the live class meeting, any documents they will need during the live class meeting, and upcomin…
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Communicate Expectations

  • Communicate expectations before class starts and on the first day of class. 1. Explain the format of the course. Students may be unsure about which format will be used for which course. In an introductory email and on your syllabus, tell your students what format will be used and what that means. For Hybrid courses, students will be assigned days t...
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More Information

  • For sample verbiage to include in your course syllabus regarding course format, COVID-19 precautions, DSS accommodations, grading, etc., please view the Fall 2020 Syllabus Template. For tips on communicating with students during the delivery of the course, attend eLearning’s Online Communication Workshop or view the archived workshopfrom this summer. For assistan…
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How to Design A Hybrid Learning Course

Online Learning Activities

In-Class Learning Activities

Getting Started with Hybrid Learning

How Can I Prepare Students For Hybrid Learning?

  1. Explain the rationale for using a hybrid learning approach and list the learning benefits (expect some resistance as students are pushed out of their learning comfort zones).
  2. Provide an orientation to the technology required in the course and inform students of where to go for additional support.
  3. Start with a “low-stakes” assignment to familiarize students with what is expected.
  1. Explain the rationale for using a hybrid learning approach and list the learning benefits (expect some resistance as students are pushed out of their learning comfort zones).
  2. Provide an orientation to the technology required in the course and inform students of where to go for additional support.
  3. Start with a “low-stakes” assignment to familiarize students with what is expected.
  4. Discuss time management strategies and communicate expected time-on-task for online learning activities.

What Can I Do with Extra Class time?

Resources