In hybrid courses, “the mixture of online and face-to-face activities has no predefined format. The instructor decides which activities will take place online and which will take place face-to-face.” 3 Regardless of the format, hybrid courses have several defining characteristics:
Taking a hybrid class is a good way to test the waters and see if online classes are the right fit for you before you jump in with both feet. Although there are a lot of benefits, hybrid classes are not perfect for everyone. They require strong time management skills and can be tough to fit into a schedule if your in-class time is just once a week.
Time management is just as important to hybrid classes as it is with courses that are taught 100% online. You will need to set aside at least an equivalent amount of time to your face-to-face sessions to complete the online components in order to keep up and be prepared.
A traditional 3-credit course would typically meet Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour and a half each time. The same exact course taught as a hybrid course might meet on Tuesdays for an hour and a half and the remainder of the course would take place online through different assignments and discussions.
Hybrid courses (also known as blended courses) replace a portion of traditional face-to-face instruction with web-based online learning (e.g., video lectures, online discussions, or activities).
A hybrid course is a combination of face-to-face and online instruction that can come in a variety of forms. Some models offer in-person courses with online components while others have a mix of students who attend in-person or over Zoom.
As we mentioned above, online classes take place 100% away from a physical location. Students can take online courses from the comfort of their own homes with no commuting required. Hybrid programs, on the other hand, take place in a blended format. This is why they're sometimes called blended learning classes.
A hybrid program is essentially a college program that combines elements of online learning and traditional learning. Instead of taking every class in a classroom on campus, you'll have the chance to take up to half of the credits that you need or even more through online classes.
Pros of Hybrid Learning More pros of the hybrid learning model include a better dialogue between students, teachers, and caregivers, more time for students to learn at their own pace or on their own schedule, and a variety of learning methods for students to choose from.
A hybrid work schedule combines on-premise and remote models and creates a unique (and more flexible) environment — one where team members alternate time in the office with a bit of remote work.
In the simplest of terms, hybrid learning can be defined as teachers taking both online and offline classes simultaneously for the students. Some students attend the classes in person while some attend virtually. It mostly depends on the students to choose the way they wish to attend the classes.
The key difference between the two learning styles is that blended learning only works by combining two things: eLearning and traditional learning. As for hybrid learning, it works by allowing students to choose whether to learn in person or to participate online.
Blended learning is more effective than traditional methods because learners can focus on content like new vocabulary or pronunciations while using their self-paced, online material on their own time. In live sessions, the tutor can work with learners to support their unique needs and goals.
Tips for SuccessComplete and submit assignments on time.Access online class materials regularly (1-3 times per week depending upon the course).Check the course for announcements, due dates, and feedback on completed assignments.Allow extra time for assignment completion in case of unexpected technology glitches.More items...
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.
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. In hybrid courses, “the mixture of online and face-to-face activities has no predefined format.
ASU Sync combines live Zoom lectures with in-the-classroom instruction. Students enrolled in in-person classes will attend classes both in person and via ASU Sync (Zoom). Sometimes students will need to attend class via ASU Sync for distancing reasons (keeping classrooms below a certain capacity), and other times students will utilize ASU Sync for health concerns or because they cannot be on campus due to travel restrictions.
ASU Online is a separate enrollment system. Things to know about ASU Online: ASU Online classes are not ASU Sync classes or iCourses. They have different course catalogs. ASU Online courses are 100% remote learning, as they always have been. On-campus students cannot sign up for ASU Online courses.
At Stanford, hybrid specifically describes a course where some sessions take place in-person and some sessions take place fully online. While the in-person meetings may often include blended teaching elements, hybrid courses mix in-person and remote participation.
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.
Stanford's accreditation body, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), considers any course with a single session online as "distance learning," which has separate accreditation requirements. Additionally:
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.
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.
If you have decided that hybrid instruction is a good fit for your students and situation, we recommend the following steps:
Hybrid classes aim to take the best aspects of online learning and combine them with the best aspects of traditional classes for an all-inclusive learning experience. Each university defines hybrid class slightly differently, however classes of this type generally meet between 25% and 50% of the time online and the remaining 50%-75% ...
Hybrid classes lend themselves to various styles, as it allows students to learn audibly (through lectures and recorded material), visually (through slides and presentations usually included in the class), or in a hands-on way by collaborating with classmates during the designated in-class time. Those that do well in lectures and discussions get to enjoy the type of environment where they excel, while students who like to have more time to process the information without distractions and interruptions also have the opportunity to do so.
One of the main draws of any online learning opportunity is the amazing amount of flexibility that they offer students when it comes to scheduling. Hybrid classes do require time spent face to face, but the amount of time in the classroom is significantly less than traditional classes, allowing students to balance work, a social life, extra curricular activities, or even attending office hours for other classes.
Time management is just as important to hybrid classes as it is with courses that are taught 100% online. You will need to set aside at least an equivalent amount of time to your face-to-face sessions to complete the online components in order to keep up and be prepared. If you have trouble setting a schedule that allows you to get everything done or you’re a master procrastinator, think hard about if hybrid classes are right for you.
If you’re considering taking online-only classes, hybrid courses offer a great intermediate step. Adjusting to online learning can be difficult if you don’t have any experience. Taking a hybrid class is a good way to test the waters and see if online classes are the right fit for you before you jump in with both feet.
There are some aspects of hybrid class schedules that AREN’T flexible. Online classes are flexible. The content is always available and as we mentioned above, this is a huge benefit of hybrid classes. But the in-class sessions are just about as flexible as a traditional class (which means they’re NOT).