How do hybrid courses differ from online courses and Web-enhanced classes?
In Web-enhanced classes, instructors may make use of a website or online course management system such as Blackboard to supplement face-to-face coursework. However, these classes still meet in the classroom for the same number of scheduled hours as a standard course. The web component does not replace any of these classroom hours as it does in a hybrid course.
Online courses are courses that are conducted fully online with scheduled in-class meetings reduced to a minimum or completely eliminated. Communication and coursework is done entirely within an LMS such as Blackboard and/or other online tools (Allen et al. 2007)
How are hybrid courses structured?
Hybrid courses must be designed purposefully so that the online and face-to-face components complement each other. Online course work often involves participating in online discussion forums, viewing and annotating online lectures, and conducting research using online library resources. Face-to-face class time in hybrid courses can move past the standard lecture and become more collaborative, as in the "Flipped" or "Inverted" Classroom model. The F2F component should build on recent online coursework to provide continuity and coherence of activities for students. For more information on designing a hybrid course, check out our Hybrid Learning Faculty Resources pages or sign up for the next Hybrid Course Development Institute.