Virtual Hybrid Classrooms

Virtual hybrid courses were developed in response to students’ needs.  Classes will follow a Saturday schedule with sessions running 10:00 AM-12:30 PM EST and 1:30 PM-4:00 PM EST.  They were methodically developed by the team of academic and instructional design experts following blended learning pedagogical practices.  Students’ remote learning during the week is enhanced and supported by synchronous virtual activities such as lecture, peer assignment review, and small group work.

One unique aspect of TAWC hybrid courses is that an assignment will be due on Thursday evening, and you will need to review students’ performance to inform how to structure your Saturday virtual time to reinforce learning of the weekly competencies.  If you are teaching a virtual hybrid course enhanced with KnowledgePath, there will be an assignment due on Thursday along with a discussion prompt.

What is Hybrid Learning?

Essentially, hybrid learning flips the classroom, allowing students to work through content on their own time and to use the expertise of the instructor for the elements of learning that are a struggle. In this way, students take advantage of face-to-face time most effectively.

Below are some articles discussing the merits of this teaching modality:

• Thomas Mennella, Bay Path University – Flipped Learning  ^[1]
• Benefits of Blended Learning ^[2]
• Faculty Focus, Blended and Flipped Learning: The Benefits of Blended Learning Explained  ^[3]

What is the instructor’s role in hybrid courses?

Blended learning offers many benefits to both faculty and students, and it shifts the synchronous time to a more targeted learning experience.  Instructors will have the opportunity to be engaged in the learning activities in a more targeted manner and by developing active learning strategies for competencies with which students need reinforcement.