Defining hybrid format courses

Hybrid format courses - also known as blended learning - is a method of instructional course design that promises to blend the best of both worlds: the best practices of effective classroom teaching with the most effective practices of the online learning environment. The growth in popularity of this style of course design as been called "the single greatest unrecognized trend in higher education today" (Young, 2002, p. 12) and is “quickly becoming the most popular format in distance education” (Reasons, 2004, p. 3). The challenge is to design the course so that it optimizes the learning process and  more fully engages the learner. 

I firmly believe that learning should be fun. Why? When a person enjoys learning then they tend to learn more and retain more. Whether or not a person has enjoying the learning process can affect how much they engage with the course content, with their peers, with their facilitator, and within themselves through reflection. How a course is design can affect how engaged learners become.

Effective hybrid format course design: A hybrid format model and study of best practices

Distance Education Report, 8(7), 3.

References

Reasons, S.G. (2004, April). Hybrid courses – hidden dangers?

Young, J. R. (2002, March 22). Hybrid teaching seeks to end the divide between traditional and online instruction.

Chronicle of Higher Education, 48(28), A33.