Teacher Instruction: Hybrid Modality Practices

• Profile
• Example
• Best Practices
• Technology

Profile

In a hybrid course, some of the traditional face-to-face activities are replaced by online activities.

In a well-designed hybrid course, online activities and in-classroom activities are integrated with each other, and they reinforce one another. The online components should NOT be treated as an add-on or duplication of the classroom activities.

What instructional activities should be face-to-face or online, depends on the course objectives, learning goals, and the course content. Here are some examples:

• The Instructor conducts in-classroom lectures, which can be hard to understand if the students just read the textbook on their own. After the face-to-face meeting, students use their LMS (Brightspace) to do assignments or have an online discussion.
• The instructor puts readings and lecture videos online so students can finish reading/watching them before they come to the face-to-face class. While they are in the classroom, the instructor can focus on the hands-on experience (like demonstrations or mock scenarios) or Q&A/discussion sessions.
• Students use online tools -- discussion boards, and synchronous web conferencing tools (Zoom, for example) to prepare for their group project, then present in the face-to-face session for assessing the project.
• For working professionals, a hybrid class can take a format of an online-recorded lecture in addition to face-to-face meeting time.

Example

Course: Inquiries in Teaching & Learning
Department: Teaching & Learning
Student Type: Undergraduate
Course Type: Hybrid

Best Practices

Some suggestions are:

• Work with an Instructional Designer (contact [e-mail]).
• Use a well-designed syllabus that sets student expectations. Explain the hybrid course format, meeting schedules, and assignments.
• Tie online activities and classroom activities together. Make it clear to the students how they interact with each other (for example: have students introduce themselves via video recording and post to LMS forums).
• Use a variety of assignments and assessments such as group work, critique, and discussions.
• All the course materials should be located in the LMS.

Technology

Typical Technologies Employed in Hybrid Courses

• Learning Management System --Brightspace
• Synchronous communication tool -- ZenU Zoom
• Screen recording software  -- ZenU Stream (Kaltura)