Hybrid
classes offer flexibility
By
Sean Emery
On-line Forty-Niner
Cal
State Long Beach is now offering more hybrid
classes to take advantage of the growth
in communication technology.
Hybrid
classes are classes that rely on both face-to-face
contact and academic technology to deliver
the course material to students. According
to the academic technology policy that was
adopted by the Academic Senate in the spring
semester, "one-third to two-third of
the student/faculty and student/student
contact time uses academic technology to
structure remote activities." The rest
of the time is spent in a traditional classroom.
"The
hybrid approach has been in the works for
some time," said Keith Polakoff, assistant
vice president of Academic Affairs. "It
refers to using online resources to supplement
and replace time in the classroom."
The
hybrid approach to classes is the result
of a gradual increase in the use of technology
in the classroom. It started with instructors
bringing computers into classes in order
to use audio/visual supplements, such as
PowerPoint presentations. Gradually, instructors
began allowing students to use computer
technology in place of traditional class
meetings. Hybrid classes have been a part
of the CSULB campus for the past five years,
and according to Polakoff a few dozen hybrid
classes offered every semester.
"The
hybrid classes can be counted in the dozens
now, not yet in the hundreds, but the number
grows every semester," Polakoff said.
According
to instructors, the main advantage to hybrid
classes is the flexibility it offers students
with busy schedules. Instead of having to
adhere to the traditional classroom model
of meeting at a set place and time every
week, hybrid classes allow students to complete
the class material on their own schedules.
"It
worked out well for the students,"
said Natalie Cheffer, an assistant professor
in the pediatric nurse practitioner program
who has used the hybrid method for past
courses. "It was a nice break for [the
students] to be able to meet from home."
Students
also praised the flexibility of the hybrid
class method of course delivery.
"I
think it's a good idea because students
get more choices, and can work around their
own schedule," said Kelly Wang, sophomore
international business major.
While
the number of hybrid classes is growing,
it doesn't look like the hybrid class model
will overtake the traditional class model
any time soon.
"I
don't think you'll reach a point where most
classes are hybrid classes," Polakoff
said. "I think you have to make [the
decision to offer a hybrid class] on a case-to-case
basis, and that decision should be made
by the instructors."
Polakoff
also said that hybrid classes can increase
the workload for instructors instead of
decreasing it. Beachboard can be time consuming,
and some students may need to take some
time to get used to the system.
"It
was more difficult to prepare for the course,"
Cheffer said. "Some students [also]
took a while to get used to [Beachboard]."
Despite
these concerns, Polakoff believes that hybrid
classes are a positive development, and
a reflection of the university's commitment
to embracing new technology. "It's
less a case of pushing the envelope than
making sure that students and faculty have
access to developing technology." Polakoff
said.
|
